Blacksmith: Poland will be one big hub of the reconstruction of Ukraine

Poland will be one great hub of the reconstruction of Ukraine – Paweł Kowal (KO) told PAP. He added that today Europe is more looking at this process through the prism of industries and the capabilities of individual countries, although some countries warn their involvement in specific regions.

The government's representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine said that this process would have three pillars for Poland. First Export and everything that is related to it.

“We are talking about EUR 13 billion. Export always precedes investments, creates jobs in Poland, engages a lot of people – so we support exports with appropriate instruments,” said Kowal.

The second pillar is Logistics and support for the reconstruction of Ukraine from the position of Poland. “This means that Poland, just look at the map, will be one big hub of reconstruction, as it was a military hub. So we are expanding connectivity and transit” – he noted.

The third pillar is Polish companies that want to work and invest in Ukraine. “For these companies, we have created instruments in the last year as part of Ukraine Facility run by the European Commission. Already in the first tranche, several hundred euros in guarantees and various instruments are prepared, as well as 56 million euros per grants to prepare the entrance to the Ukrainian market for Polish companies. We also have 250 million zlotys for Polish companies that want to participate in rebuilding from Poland,” said Kowal.

He emphasized that today no one can say that Poland is not prepared to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. “Today we look more at this problem through the prism of industries and the possibilities in this context of individual countries. Some countries also warn that they are involved in some specific regions. We were still more involved, for example in Kharkov, but in fact today this approach to reconstruction is different. The instrument is the money that the European Union has as part of Ukraine Facility and looks through the current needs of the Ukrainian side and industry, and industries in which this Ukrainian side is interested in cooperation, “Kowal explained.

He added that from the point of view of Poland it is for the air and construction industry and renewable energy, as well as transport.

Kowal reminded that this year there will be several events in Poland devoted to the reconstruction of Ukraine, including Congresses and conferences in Poznań, Warsaw and Rzeszów. (PAP)

KOS/ MOK/ MHR/