U.S. private sector interested in working with Ukraine, but eradicating corruption crucial for investments - U.S. special rep

MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax) - United States Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker has pledged to try expanding the U.S. private sector's involvement in Ukraine, Ukrainian media outlets said with a reference to her statement at a briefing in Kiev on Friday.

Pritzker said she would like to emphasize the U.S. private sector's interest in working with Ukraine in order to give an impetus to its economy and boost its economic growth. This is why the CEOs of Archer Daniels Midland, Oliver Wyman, and Bank of America International joined her on this visit, Pritzker said.

In addition, the special representative pointed out that the goal of her visit is also to welcome Ukraine's progress in the anti-corruption legislation and the recent arrests by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Maintaining this momentum is crucial, and Pritzker emphasized this to Ukrainian government officials, she said. Not only the U.S., the European Union and the International Monetary Fund pay attention to it, but also the private sector, she said.

Ukraine needs investments from the private sector in order to complete its restoration and become a prosperous country, Pritzker said. And it means that Ukraine must resolutely eradicate corruption, she said.

Ukraine also needs reforms, she said. And it is also crucial to accelerate the GDP growth, the growth of state revenues and direct foreign investments, increase exports and create jobs, she said.

In the meantime, according to Ukrainian media outlets, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has perceived Pritzker's visit as a signal of "strong support to Ukraine." "The past year has seen an unprecedented growth in Ukrainian-American relations. We are determined to maintain this momentum," the Ukrainian press quoted him as saying on a social network.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, for his part, said that he had discussed investments and the development of the state-private partnership with Pritzker.

"The key subject is the strengthening of the Ukrainian economy, its short-term restoration and long-term development. One of the main preconditions is ensuring stable Ukrainian exports. We're working together with the U.S. on increasing export capacities," Ukrainian media quoted him as saying on a social network.

Partners' consistent support remains an important factor, and in this light, the parties discussed Ukraine's main needs for 2024, he said.

The Ukrainian press also reported that Ukrainian Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Alexander Kubrakov and Pritzker had hosted a roundtable dedicated to the restoration of Ukraine's economy with participation of representatives of Ukrainian export-oriented businesses and a U.S. delegation.

"Ukraine is working to provide guarantees for private investments from U.S. partners," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Kubrakov as saying on a social network. "Private investments from the U.S. are another of the things that significantly help boosting Ukraine's business potential," he said.

"We're working to guarantee these investments. I am grateful to the U.S. for its continuous support and readiness to further expand cooperation to strengthen our economy," the minister said.

Pritzker, for her part, pointed out that the parties had discussed practical steps to increase Ukraine's export during the meeting.