The Ukrainian government delegation in Saudi Arabia is conducting preparatory work for the visit to the country of President Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular in the economic sphere - large-scale projects in the field of public-private partnership and "attractive privatization opportunities worth half a billion dollars" have already been presented, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported.
"The working visit of the Ukrainian government delegation to Saudi Arabia began with a meeting with almost a hundred local entrepreneurs. (…) Projects in energy, agriculture, infrastructure were presented. As well as large-scale projects in the field of public-private partnership and attractive privatization opportunities with a total investment volume of half a billion dollars."
According to her, "dozens of meetings will be held in the coming days to prepare for the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to Saudi Arabia." In particular, important economic agreements with countries in the region are being prepared for signing.
Saudi Arabia is currently actively supporting Ukraine. $500 million has been allocated to support the recovery of Ukraine. "Now we can illustrate the call to invest in Ukraine without waiting for the end of the war with very specific businesses from Saudi Arabia. For example, FAS Energy, which invested in renewable energy in Ukraine. Or SALIC, which last September became a co-owner of one of the largest Ukrainian agricultural holdings - MHP, having acquired 12.6% of the company's shares. I am infinitely grateful to all those companies that show leadership and that investing in Ukraine is now possible and necessary," Svyrydenko emphasized.
"I am convinced that we have prospects for even more active attraction of investments from the Middle East. Today we have seen significant interest, first of all, in infrastructure projects, energy, in proposals in the field of innovation, agribusiness, primarily in the production of fertilizers, where Saudi Arabia has expertise," the Deputy Prime Minister added.
Exports to Saudi Arabia increased from $291 million in 2023 to $368 million in 2024. "And we expect growth this year as well. We have not yet reached pre-war figures, but I hope that we will be able to achieve this and such business forums will support this," she emphasized.
