The special envoy is to promote the involvement of the Dutch business community in the reconstruction of Ukraine. The main topics are the following public-private platforms: water, health, agriculture and food security. Companies can currently report to the Ukrainian office of the RVO if they wish to make their knowledge and expertise known.
‘Serious reconstruction can only be done in areas that have been liberated and are not affected by it’
Companies that want to start in Ukraine can turn to the RVO for support. For example, if they want to tender for reconstruction projects of large financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank.
The number of devastated areas in Ukraine where reconstruction is already possible is relatively small. Europe reporter Geert Jan Hahn: ‘Parts of the liberated areas are still under daily artillery fire from Russia. Serious reconstruction can only be carried out in areas that have been liberated and are not affected by it”.
Importance of Ukraine
According to Hahn, it remains to be seen whether this appointment is actually in Ukraine’s interest. “It doesn’t have so much to do with the person who becomes an envoy or with his position. Hopefully, he will liaise with Dutch companies and Ukrainian authorities. It is important for Ukraine to enter the guide AND. Ukraine must indicate what it needs, and the Dutch business community can respond to this. This should be the order, this is what I felt on my last trip to Ukraine in early March. It is therefore also important that Dutch entrepreneurs enter this reconstruction process with the right expectations.’
However, according to Hahn, there are possibilities, such as in the region north of the capital Kiev. “In other liberated regions or areas experiencing devastation, it is more likely that”early recovery’, although this sometimes happens very locally. At the same time, plans can already be made and Ukraine calls on our experience to further develop the ports and the water area around the Black Sea”.
“Ukraine calls on our experience to further develop ports and the water area around the Black Sea”
An earlier letter to the House of Representatives said the envoy “will pay particular attention in his work to ensure that the Dutch business community is aligned with international efforts to follow up on priorities, including food security and crucial energy infrastructure, as established in the motion by member Klink and others dated December 22.” The special envoy will work closely with the Dutch embassy in Kiev.
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