Victor Yushchenko has visited Damen Shipyards Ocean, one of Ukraine’s biggest shipbuilders, to wish this Mykolaiv-based company a happy birthday and take part in a ceremony of towing their 384th vessel out of the dock, according to the President`s press-office.
The President is glad he helped the company find an honest and promising investor when he was the country’s prime minister and is convinced the plant promotes Ukraine as one of the world’s leading shipbuilders and sea states.
Mr. Yushchenko said his government saw the development of the shipbuilding industry as one of their paramount priorities. He praised Damen Shipyards Okean for wonderful vessels and, more importantly, for the ability to find new customers. He said the revival of Okean was a perfect illustration of the importance of European economic integration.
“For we can thus conquer markets,” he said.
The Head of State reiterated that Ukraine’s WTO membership would also give our country new economic opportunities and expressed hopes Ukrainians were aware of all the advantages of the country`s European integration.
He said private investors could efficiently manage the industry and help their companies find new customers.
“The state must step back publicly and honestly from this area by staging competitive and transparent privatizations,” he said.
