Given the high level of professionalism and experience Mr. J. Zukoski, who for 15 years was the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibilities of further development and strengthening of cooperation between Ukraine and the EBRD. The discussion also included sharing of the views of how to support the Ukrainian private sector, implementation of the priority infrastructure projects and to attract foreign investment to our country.

During the meeting the Minister-Counselor, Head of Economic and Trade Office of the Embassy Vitalii Tarasiuk informed Mr. J. Zukoski about the current situation in Ukraine, economic policy priorities, and the Ukrainian Government's plans to develop trade, economic and investment cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in 2015. Special attention was given to the bilateral initiatives to which the EBRD could contribute.

In his turn, J. Zukoski has underlined effective cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the EBRD and outlined ideas on how to attract more Bank’s resources to implement joint projects in Ukraine with the leading U.S. companies, particularly in high-tech, agriculture, engineering and energy industries. The sides have also exchanged views on promising areas of cooperation and on ways to support Ukrainian exports to the U.S. market and to attract U.S. investments in Ukrainian economy.

In conclusion, the sides have agreed to enhance cooperation between the Embassy and the Bank in the context of strengthening the role of the U.S. in the EBRD’s activity in Ukraine and agreed on a number of joint activities and initiatives to increase the investment attractiveness of Ukraine, facilitating the private sector’s access to cheap credits and support the Bank’s priority investment projects in Ukraine.

Given that the United States is the largest shareholder in the EBRD with headquarters in London, the Bank is considering the possibility to open a permanent office in Washington, D.C. as well.

In the photo: Minister-Counselor, Head of Economic and Trade Office of the Embassy Vitalii Tarasiuk & Senior Business Development Representative of the EBRD Jorge Zukoski