Ihor Liski is convinced that the agreement on the creation of the investment fund should primarily serve as a security component, as there are simpler mechanisms for attracting investors to the country. The businessman notes that the DFC – the US International Development Finance Corporation, which is already operating in Ukraine and will become the main manager of the newly created fund – will play a central role.
“For me, as a person who once built a mine in Luhansk from scratch, spent eight years of my life on it, and exactly three months after we launched it, brought a crystal-clear transparent company to the Canadian and London stock exchanges – exactly three months later Donbas, the mine, and all eight years of my life went to the ‘young promising republic’. So for me, the main idea of this deal is that Ukraine would gain a security tool. That it would be an American flag for Ukrainianness, a cause and an interest of American taxpayers,” Liski said.
He recalled that America has always served as a security donor for Ukraine, and expressed hope that this agreement will become a mechanism for attracting security elements through weapons (the fund allows for contributions not only in cash but also in the supply of weapons – Ed.).
“Speaking about investment attractiveness and investment mechanisms, we often forget that Ukraine is in a critical situation – in a dramatic war for survival. And I have a simple question. Does this agreement bring Ukraine closer to victory? Or does it not? I’m sure it does. Because if we lose the war, then, excuse me, our mineral resources – which, according to the Constitution of Ukraine, belong to the people – will be extracted by completely different guys with completely different brands, by a completely different Russian company,” said Ihor Liski.
And with the security enhancement mechanism, the agreement with the US appears to be “a unique chance to get a real American partnership with interests and principles” – which is why its implementation is needed as soon as possible.
“If we don’t start now, if the whole world doesn’t see that projects are being prepared according to the right standards, and that technology-based technical specialists are being engaged… The whole world is looking at this much-hyped fund, and our first steps will be a signal of the path Ukraine has taken,” says the businessman.
“Perhaps this is another chance to restore confidence in Ukraine’s future – in the Ukrainian economy and in the Ukrainian investment climate,” says Ihor Liski, “because now we are a backward country that has been growing wheat for 200 years. Nobody needs us yet. And the availability of our natural resources is a chance to build a foundation – and then use it as an argument to create processing facilities and eventually attract experts and finance to develop technologies.”