On July 31, the first sectoral working group session with representatives from the agricultural sector convened to advance the Ukraine Plan under the Ukraine Facility program. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine oversees the group’s efforts, while Kyiv School of Economics provides analytical consulting support, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine coordinates the sectoral groups.

Creation of the sectoral working groups is one of the activities of the Good Governance Fund Project “Economic Hub: Sound PFM Policies and Vision for Growth,” which is supported by UK Aid from the UK Government. The project delivery partners are Abt Britain and Kyiv School of Economics.

Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv School of Economics, and Deloitte.

During the meeting, Maksym Fedoseienko, Head of Strategic Projects at KSE Institute, presented the main stages and objectives of the sectoral working groups and shared details about future sectoral strategy development. Business proposals for sectoral growth will contribute to the 4 and 10-year strategies.

“The agro-industrial complex is a key priority within the Ukraine Facility. The working group’s task is to receive proposals for both legislative changes and tangible investment projects focusing on infrastructure development and business support,” stated Maksym Fedoseienko. 

Additionally, during the discussion, business representatives addressed financing conditions, legislative alignment with EU policies, technical regulations and product standards, and compensation for property destroyed by the war.

The Plan of Ukraine within the Ukraine Facility will notably focus on boosting processing capacities. Nadiia Bihun, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, emphasized that the «Made in Ukraine» project office will enhance the share of finished products in the agricultural sector, foster horticulture and vegetable growing programs, and stimulate investments in biogas production.

The first stage of sectoral working group collaboration with businesses will continue until October 2023. During this period, proposals for the Ukraine Plan, essential for the implementation of the Ukraine Facility financial assistance program, will be formulated. The program will provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros from the European Commission during 2024-2027.