On February 24, 2020, Vladyslav Kryklii, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, met with Jason Lu, Head of the Global Infrastructure Facility.  The meeting was attended by representatives of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, Ukravtodor, the Reform Support Team at the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the PPP Management office SPILNO.

Vladyslav Kryklii stressed that the fastest restoration and development of a network of modern and safe highways and the introduction of a concession mechanism for it is a strategic task of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine. "An extensive network of high-quality and safe highways is one of the most important factors for the successful economic development of Ukraine. We need to connect Ukrainians with modern roads as soon as possible and provide businesses with a reliable road connection. In this sense, attracting investment in the road sector through the development of public-private partnerships is the most promising direction to accelerate the construction of the road network following the best standards. The concession roads will promote the development of the Ukrainian economy - they will stimulate the production of necessary materials and equipment, the training of highly qualified specialists, the development of the tourism industry in the regions, and the improvement of service by trucking companies. And in fulfilling this task, we also look forward to the support of World Bank experts and other international partners," said the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

At present, at the request of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, World Bank experts are developing a model program for a pilot project for concessions for road construction and operation. The purpose of this project, funded by the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), is to support the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukravtodor in exploring options for involving the private sector in road network improvement, road service, and maintenance work.

The project envisages the development of a model program for the modernization and, subsequently, maintenance of the strategic and international road network, the selection and analysis (at the level of the previous feasibility study) of pilot projects to structure them within the program of work.

Jason Lu, Head of the Global Infrastructure Facility, noted the progress made in reforming Ukraine's road sector and stressed that the involvement of international expertise and world practices would help to improve the quality of the road network and to implement the road concession mechanism successfully.