Possibilities of attracting investments from the Slovak Republic were discussed in Lutsk
On 30 January Mayor of Lutsk Mykola Romaniuk and Lutsk City Council Secretary Serhii Hryhorenko met with the First Secretary of the Consulate-General of the Slovak Republic in Uzhhorod Aleksandr Shkurla. At the meeting possible ways of cooperation were discussed. Aleksandr Shkurla noted that Ukraine and Slovakia have established close connections. He said that our country is in a difficult situation at present. Slovakia delivers natural gas to Ukraine through reverse flows.
The guest noted that the Slovak Republic has been a EU-member for 10 years. This was a good spur for the country development. There was no other alternative but joining the European Union for their country. The guest assured of the willingness to share experience in reforms implementation with Ukrainians and said that Slovakia is interested in cooperation in various fields, specifically, in the field of energy industry and housing and communal services. In Zakarpattia Region many Ukrainian-Slovak joint projects are implemented. Money was invested in installation of alternative fuels boilers, including woodchips fuel. He expressed their willingness to assist in implementing similar projects in Lutsk.
Slovak businessmen are interested in implementing recycling projects and investing in agriculture.
First Secretary of the Consulate- General of the Slovak Republic in Uzhhorod noted that Volyn Region and Lutsk are interesting for Slovak businessmen, so they would be glad to receive a list of investment proposals from Lutsk. There are many joint ventures in Zakarpattia Region due to the country location, logistics and so on.
Mayor Mykola Romaniuk thanked for the meeting and said that the city government is interested in attracting investments to the Lutsk economy. In our city a joint Slovak-Ukrainian company Hemosvit-Lutskhim functions.
Mykola Romaniuk said that energy efficiency is among the priorities of the city development. Lutsk approved Municipal Energy Plan. Good cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, NEFCO was forged.
Active work with the EBRD on the project of Lutsk central heating modernization has lasted 2.5 years. At present all the documents have been signed and the work will be begun this year. The quality of heating services will be significantly improved due to the implementation of this project.
In addition, an alternative fuel boiler will be installed in the boiler facility in Bozhenka Street. This will allow households to heat water without gas in the summer season. This will be provided for the residents of the State Electric Transport Enterprise neighborhood unit.
An alternative fuels boiler was installed in the boiler facility that supplies Lutsk Primary Health Care Centre №3 and Volyn Regional Hospital for Veterans. At present they are working on installing one more boiler in the boiler facility in Vidrodzhenia Avenue.
However, Mykola Romaniuk said that, unfortunately, it is impossible to switch to alternative fuels completely. It is impossible now, as no big city can do without gas. This can be implemented in small towns.
Mykola Romaniuk said that they are currently working on the household waste landfill in the village Bryshche. A waste sorting line will be installed there.
There is a deep interest in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Lutsk. According to him, it is necessary to help the Slovak and Ukrainian businessmen establish a contact to make them develop partnership.
Mykola Romaniuk also emphasized the importance of establishing international contacts. Lutsk has partners in nine countries but in Slovakia none as yet. It would be interesting to find a partner city here. Cooperation can be started in the spheres of culture and tourism.
Mayor thanked the Slovak people for supporting Ukraine in these tough times. According to him, a friend in need is a friend indeed, and Slovak people supported us in this situation.
Mykola Romaniuk also promised that proposals on investments and interesting areas of cooperation will be sent to Alexandr Shkurla.