Ukraine, France sign agreement on financial and technical support for enterprises

Ukraine and France have signed the agreement on the establishment and operation of the French Development Agency, the Society for Promotion and Participation for Economic Cooperation (PROPARCO) and Expertise France in Ukraine, which are part of the AFD Group.

The agreement was signed by Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko and France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne in the presence of Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and Emmanuel Macron of France, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ukrainian Economy Ministry's press service.

"The signing of the agreement creates grounds for the operation in Ukraine of the French representative office of the AFD Group, which will be able to provide financial and technical support to Ukrainian enterprises. Traditionally, the group is implementing projects in areas that contribute to stability and development, the fight against poverty and equality. I am convinced that the arrival of AFD in Ukraine will help implement reconstruction projects more effectively now, without waiting for the end of the war," Svyrydenko said.

The agreement stipulates that the AFD Group can provide financial support in the form of loans, grants or guarantees, as well as any form of financial or technical assistance in Ukraine to state or private enterprises, banking institutions, associations or organizations, or any legal entity located in Ukraine.

During the signing of the agreement, Macron announced that France would send 20 technical experts to Ukraine who will work at key ministries to speed up standardization work.

Macron noted that supporting the private sector in Ukraine is an unchanging priority. French companies are major employers and taxpayers in Ukraine. Macron announced new projects in the private sector, particularly in digital technologies.

Photo: Ukrainian Economy Ministry