Ministry of Economy discussed mine action priorities with international partners

Yuliia Svyrydenko called on the International Trust Fund (ITF) to finance the procurement of Ukrainian-made demining equipment. The First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Economy of Ukraine made this appeal during a meeting with the ITF leadership.

"Ukrainian manufacturers have made tremendous progress in developing and producing demining equipment. I urge ITF to consider financing the procurement of Ukrainian-made machines and equipment for use in mine action. This would simultaneously support the Ukrainian defence industry and strengthen demining capacity," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The International Trust Fund ITF Enhancing Human Security, based in Slovenia, is one of the leading international organisations financing mine action programmes worldwide. ITF has been actively supporting humanitarian demining in Ukraine.

"The localisation of production in Ukraine is one of our strategic priorities. When we buy Ukrainian equipment, we achieve a triple effect: equipping operators with the necessary machinery, supporting the national economy, and building sustainable domestic capacity that will remain in the country long after international programmes end," emphasised Svyrydenko.

The ITF representatives expressed interest in the proposal and agreed to consider the possibility of including Ukrainian equipment in their procurement programmes. They noted the progress in the quality and range of Ukrainian-made demining machines.

"Ukraine has demonstrated an impressive pace of development in the field of demining equipment. We are ready to study the options for supporting Ukrainian manufacturers within our programmes," stated the ITF representative.

The meeting took place alongside one of the international events dedicated to humanitarian demining. It is part of a broader effort by Ukraine's government to attract international support for the domestic demining equipment industry.