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Ukraine war: Push to rebuild economy starts with UK's $3bn

BBC




Ukraine's economy will need external help for many years to come, a senior World Bank official has told the BBC.


The war-torn country "also has a lot of potential to turn a lot of its assets into economic opportunity and recovery", according to Anna Bjerde.


The managing director for operations was talking before a major international conference in London on rebuilding Ukraine's economy.


Last year the country's economy shrank 29% to just over $140bn (£109bn).


The World Bank and other multilateral development bodies are playing a key role in the Ukraine Recovery Conference which is focusing on the role the private sector can play in rebuilding the country.


The total reconstruction bill was estimated at $411bn in March but continued fighting with Russia means that will now be higher.


The conference will start on Wednesday, hearing from the co-hosts, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.


Mr Sunak is set to announce $3bn in World Bank loan guarantees, and will tell the delegates: "As we've seen in Bakhmut and Mariupol, what Russia cannot take it will seek to destroy. They want to do the same to Ukraine's economy."


"President Zelensky's government is determined to drive reforms to become more open, more transparent and ready for investment."


When asked about the conference in a BBC interview, Mr Zelensky said: "On the larger scale we are speaking about the transformation of Ukraine. This is Ukraine not only with its energy and agriculture and industrial complexes, but with its reforms we can see. This is the digitalisation of our country."


He also thanked the UK government and the people for their support of Ukraine since the start of a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022.


In the immediate term Ukraine needs $14bn from international donors to get through this year.


Ms Bjerde says this will go towards "essential social expenditures" such as pension payments, healthcare and salaries for doctors and teachers. It will also help fund urgent repairs that are needs to infrastructure such as roads and the power system that are crucial for the battered economy to function.


Despite the difficulties that many economies around the world are suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine Ms Bjerde is hopeful that the funding will be forthcoming. "I think there's been a huge level of commitment shown to Ukraine, and I think that will continue. Ukraine is just too important."

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