The 5th German-Ukrainian economic conference will be held in Berlin, where the position document "Recovery of Ukraine" will be presented - the Marshall Plan for the recovery of West Germany after the Second World War with the help of the USA was taken as a model.
This was reported by the RND media group.
At the initiative of the Committee on East European Economic Relations, 50 experts compiled a dossier with detailed proposals and wishes regarding the process of economic development in Ukraine. "We have to provide immediate help, for example with infrastructure or energy supply, but we also have to think about the future," Michael Harms, managing director of the Committee, explains the initiative.
The "Recovery of Ukraine" dossier was prepared on the eve of the 5th German-Ukrainian Economic Conference, which is being held in Berlin and which is also expected to be attended by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
In the document, experts recommend that European countries participating in the recovery and the EU appoint a high-level coordinator for Ukraine.
The coordinators should form a council to exchange information with the Ukrainian government regarding current needs and projects. Each donor country should retain control over its own project funds to ensure transparency and accountability.
According to Harms, a smart plan needs to do two things: "People need to see quick results in rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure. At the same time, it's important to lay the foundations for sustainable growth." First of all, this means "utilizing Ukraine's huge growth potential in the areas of digitization, agriculture and green energy and the consistent development of a low-carbon economy."
As long as the war reigns, of course, one should not expect a huge wave of investments by German companies in Ukraine, Harms admitted. It will be a gradual process, but you have to prepare for it. And there are positive signals from German companies that are maintaining or even expanding their involvement in Ukraine despite the war, for example in the automotive industry or trade in construction materials.
According to German companies, international donors and the government in Kyiv should focus on creating quick incentives for the private sector, following the example of the Marshall Plan for West Germany after World War II.
"In order to join, companies need reliable contacts, fast tenders and obtaining permits, as well as financial and legal security," Harms emphasized.
The 20-page dossier "Rebuild Ukraine" is devoted to the topics of construction, logistics and infrastructure, digitalization, energy, health care and agriculture.
According to Harms, companies expect from the German-Ukrainian economic conference "many concrete ideas" regarding reconstruction and "quick and creative solutions" from politicians.
We will remind you that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that for the restoration of Ukraine, a "Marshall Plan" should be created, in which the European Union will play a special role.
