On December, 13 the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea approved the draft resolution of the Supreme Councils of Crimea "About the program for investment development in Crimea, 2012-2013".

 

   Within the meeting of the Crimean Government the minister of economic development and trade Svetlana Verba reported about this program. The program is a comprehensive document, which includes suggestions from all concerned republican ministries and committees. The document was developed on the base of the Program of economic reforms by the President of Ukraine for 2010-2014, Program for development investment and innovation activity in Ukraine, Strategy of economic and social development of Crimea for 2011-2020.

 

 

   The minister noted that the Government of Crimea strives to introduce mechanism for investment development in the region, primarily with the creating the most favorable conditions for starting and running business.

 

   "Creating clear and transparent rules for investment, as well as the preparation of quality investment projects with well-developed business-plans, will introduce innovative technologies, increase production and services, provide jobs, and expand the tax base of regions”, - said Svetlana Verba. Also, the minister added that the growth of incomes of local budgets will give stimulus to the implementation of local social programs, and also activates the local business environment, increase self-awareness of territorial communities.

 

   According to the minister’s information, the program is identified three priority areas for investment development. They include 48 actions: improving the efficiency of management for investment processes, development of foreign economic relations and promotion of investment potential of Crimea.

 

   In the framework of mentioned priorities new actions are planning to realization. Among them are: the preparation of investment areas for projects, assistance of projects with the principle of "single window" in cooperation with State Agency for Investment and National projects of Ukraine, the implementation of public-private partnership. In addition, new instruments and forms of cooperation with projects and programs of international technical assistance will use (in particular, All-Ukrainian forum of donors by international technical assistance will be held for the first time); creation of documentation center of cross-border cooperation on the base of the Centre for Cooperation with the EU at the National Tavrida Vernadsky University; improvement of the investment portal of Autonomy, interactive investment map. Also, it is planned to make presentation of investment potential of Crimea in the embassies of foreign countries and at the international exhibitions, forums and trade fairs in Europe and Asia, at the International Black Sea Economic Forum.

 

   It is expected that the flow of foreign direct investment, as a result of the program, will be increased more than in 2 times. "This forecast is based on the positive dynamics of growth of foreign direct investment over the past 5 years, indicators of investment in the current year, the expansion of inter-regional cooperation and prospects for the adoption of laws regulating the investment activities of Autonomy", - explained the minister.

 

   Within 2 years 16,8 million UAH will be directed for the financing the activities of the program, including from the national budget -15,9 million UAH. Also, as the head of department noted, in light of the agreements reached within the framework of presentations of Crimea at the international level, it appears the necessary in the detailed plan of investment proposals with involving consulting companies. According to this, it is planned each year to direct additional 2.5 million UAH to development feasibility study and business-plan projects in priority areas. "The planned activities will intensify investment activities in strategic areas of Autonomy and strive the planned indicators", - concluded the minister.