Here is our First Investment Forum in Mariupol. I know, its preparation took a lot of effort and time. But the return is without a comparison.
After so many flights, trips and meetings in the evening, it is still full of energy from what is seen and heard. My conclusion is: Mariupol is already a European city. It only needs a little help to recover from the ordeal that have befallen this city in recent years.
But the people, and most importantly the young people I met today, are a source of energy and strength. I listened to project presentations from students of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy and, you know, I have no doubt that Ukraine will soon become an example that would be followed! I wish the whole country would be like that, that entire Ukraine would be charged with such energy. It is necessary that our people receive quality education, that they feel free, that they have all the opportunities. They will remain here and build Ukraine a future that we will all be proud of.
Representatives from more than 40 countries, companies and organizations with a combined budget of nearly $100 billion came to the Forum. We have also talked to the World Bank, the EBRD, and private investors. Our “turbo mode” makes a positive impression. We are moving towards fulfilling what Parliament approves and I believe that our ambitious economic growth goals will become a reality in the near future.
So that every Ukrainian can develop, travel, learn innovations, that our specialists compete in the world, and Ukrainian pensioners in the cafe would share their memories with a cup of coffee. The way it is in European cities. Today, we have taken the first step towards the dream of an innovative country – a memorandum of understanding that every corner of our country will be covered by mobile communications and the Internet is signed at the National Communication Operators Forum.
Why did we organize the Forum in Mariupol? Because this city will be the start for the new Donbass. They have already opened a cool IT hub with all the necessary startups, they started improving the environment. Today I drove a car on a brand new road, 130 kilometers of which were built in just two and a half months. More results will be coming soon, because we can work quickly and efficiently! I saw it today: tomorrow has already begun in Mariupol!
