UNIAN
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to provide Ukraine with $30 million for the implementation of educational and social programs, as well as regional development programs, especially in the eastern regions of the country, officials have announced.
A relevant memorandum on funds provision was signed in Kyiv on Monday by representatives of USAID in Ukraine and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
According to the memorandum, the funds will be allocated through the U.S. venture fund WNISEF for the period of three years. The focus will be placed on the projects for training young professionals, export promotion, social entrepreneurship, as well as assisting the most vulnerable population.
As noted by the Director of USAID mission in Ukraine Jed Barton, according to the program the funds will be used to address economic issues while contributing to the development of the private sector.
In turn, the head of the WNISEF fund, Yaroslav Johnson, has noted that the fund has implemented more than 100 projects in the private sector in Ukraine, which are together worth over $160 million.
"Now the fund is ready to provide advice to Ukrainian enterprises and help implement educational programs, in particular for obtaining MBA degrees in foreign universities, Johnson said.
“In addition, we plan to issue preferential loans to entrepreneurs to create new jobs.”
Summarizing the results of the meeting, Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aivaras Abromavicius stressed that the proposed assistance is extremely important in the transformation of the country and reforming the system of governance.
"We expect that through such programs we will get professionals to work for the government. We also receive assistance in guiding our exporters to new markets. We can help socially responsible companies to create new jobs, especially for internally displaced persons," Abromavicius said.