Ukraine, World Bank agree on $6 billion recovery program

A national flag of Ukraine flies in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Feb 24, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

KYIV/WARSAW – Ukraine and the World Bank Group have agreed on a special program to respond to the challenges and restore Ukraine, which will enable Kyiv to attract up to $6 billion, the government press service reported Tuesday.

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the funds, which will be raised through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), will be used to restore critical, social and transport infrastructure in Ukraine.

The recovery program is due to be approved and launched this year, Shmyhal said.

Ukraine will implement joint projects with the World Bank on rebuilding its energy sector, including the heating system, as well as transport and healthcare sectors

Besides, Ukraine will implement joint projects with the World Bank on rebuilding its energy sector, including the heating system, as well as transport and healthcare sectors.

The total value of the projects is estimated at more than $1.45 billion.

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Ukraine's grain transports

Also on Tuesday, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said grain transports from Ukraine via Poland will resume on Friday, after two-day talks here with the Ukrainian side.

The transports will be escorted and monitored by a specialized electronic system while passing through Poland to make sure "that not one ton of grain (from Ukraine) will stay in Poland," he said in a press conference.

Polish Development and Technology Minister Waldemar Buda said Poland will maintain the ban on importing agricultural goods from Ukraine, but will "allow passage through Poland to four Polish ports and to other European countries"

Polish Development and Technology Minister Waldemar Buda said Poland will maintain the ban on importing agricultural goods, but will "allow passage through Poland to four Polish ports and to other European countries."

He noted that grain transports through Poland will be sealed with electronic GPS seals.

Hungary and Slovakia have imposed similar import bans, joining Poland, which banned both import and transit through the country last week after seeing weeks of protests staged by farmers against low prices.

READ MORE: Slovakia suspends grain imports from Ukraine, maintains transit

"We are aware of the situation of Polish farmers, the Polish side understands Ukrainian farmers," Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, who is visiting Warsaw for negotiations, said at the joint news conference.

The European Union has criticized member states for putting individual bans in place, and EU envoys are set to discuss the measures on Wednesday, according to a senior EU official.

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