Economic development strategy envisages transformation of coal regions until 2030

The Strategy of Economic Development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions envisages the transformation of coal regions until 2030, according to Marta Bukhtiyarova, Director General of the Directorate of Strategic Planning and European Integration of the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.

Ukrinform reports this with a reference to the ministry’s press service.

In particular, as part of the Strategy for Economic Development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions until 2030, the Ministry for Reintegration outlined a separate measure to transform coal regions and mitigate social consequences. In the context, it is planned to modernize profitable mines and privatize or close other mines.

“Cities should be ready to close mines, and the Government, in turn, should help them prepare so that the entire burden of transformation does not fall on the shoulders of local communities. However, we must not forget that the closure of mines is not only about the miners, it is also about the huge social and service infrastructure. Mitigating the transformation is possible only through ensuring the economic development of these territories," Bukhtiyarova said.

In addition, she stressed that transforming the coal regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and mitigating social consequences are one of the key tasks of the Ministry for Reintegration while implementing the Strategy for Economic Development until 2030.

As reported, on August 18, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a draft order approving the Strategy for Economic Development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions until 2030. The Ministry for Reintegration reported that this strategy is aimed primarily at supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

On July 14, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced about the official launch of the program for fair transformation of coal regions in Ukraine. Pilot projects will be implemented with the support of international partners in Chervonohrad and Myrnohrad.

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