Prime Minister spoke about the challenges of the past two years and announced the tasks for this year
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke about the challenges faced by the state, the achievements of the past two years and the plans for the next year at the panel discussion “Resilience and Economic Capacity: the Foundation for Victory” as part of the forum “Ukraine. Year 2024”.
The first challenge mentioned by the Prime Minister was defence and defensive capability. He stressed that Ukraine was radically transforming its defence industry, tripling its production capacity and increasing the production of drones 100 times.
“The second is the economy and financial stability. We managed to preserve the economy. In 2023, the economic recovery began. GDP grew by more than 5%. In 2022 and 2023, we negotiated and attracted USD 74 billion in external financing,” Denys Shmyhal said, adding that the Government’s economic stimulus programmes had a strong impact.
The third challenge faced by the state is the implementation of social programmes and assistance to people. According to the Prime Minister, over the past two years the Ukrainian Government has never delayed pensions or other social benefits and payments. Moreover, the third indexation of pensions is already planned, as are increases in teachers’ salaries and subsidies.
The fourth challenge has been russian energy terrorism.
“Last winter was particularly difficult, but light prevailed over darkness. Repairs were carried out around the clock. Three levels of protection for energy facilities. As a result, today Ukraine and Ukrainians have light and heat,” said the Head of Government.
The fifth challenge mentioned by Denys Shmyhal was the russian blockade of Ukrainian seaports. In response, Ukraine has increased transhipment in the Danube ports six-fold. Together with European partners, Solidarity Lanes have been launched. A new sea corridor has been opened and, as a result, exports have reached pre-war levels.
The sixth challenge was the large-scale destruction and reconstruction of what has been destroyed. According to the Prime Minister, 23,000 multi-storey buildings and private houses, nearly 900 medical and over 600 educational institutions and 9,200 critical infrastructure facilities have already been restored.
“The seventh challenge was food security. We conducted two sowing campaigns and two wartime harvesting campaigns. We harvested 72 million tonnes of grain in 2022 and 79 million tonnes in 2023. We are providing food for ourselves and for other countries,” the Prime Minister stressed.
The final eighth challenge, according to the Prime Minister, was to accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Despite the war, Ukraine has obtained five so-called visa-free regimes with Europe, the status of an EU candidate country, has implemented all the recommendations and has embarked on major European reforms. As a result, the European Council decided to open negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Speaking about the goals for the future, the Prime Minister noted that the state’s first goal was to produce as many weapons as possible on its own. The second is to provide Ukraine with financial resources. The third is to confiscate russian assets.
“This year, the plan is to start using the proceeds from these frozen assets,” said Denys Shmyhal.
The fourth goal, according to the Prime Minister, is economic recovery. This year, UAH 45 billion has been earmarked to help businesses. The fifth goal is logistics.
“We are expanding the capacity of our ports. We are opening new border crossings. We will continue to build a pragmatic partnership with our neighbours. We are modernising the railways, including the construction of the European gauge,” said the Prime Minister.
The sixth task, according to the Head of Government, is to continue the recovery. And the seventh key task for this year is European integration.
“We now have a window of opportunity and we will use it. We are starting negotiations with the EU on our accession. We are setting up a negotiating team. The EU as a goal and the EU as a path are equally important. It strengthens our country. It gives us access to European markets and resources,” the Prime Minister concluded.