Ukraine’s Prime Minister Vladimir Groysman went to see Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Metinvest Group as part of his visit to Mariupol. He observed the reconstruction of a sinter plant, the biggest environmental project in the history of Ukraine’s independence, with the five-year investment making $220 million. Vladimir Groysman visited a converter shop. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Metinvest Group CEO Yuri Ryzhenkov and Ilyich general director Yuri Zinchenko.
During the meeting, the top managers directed the premier’s attention to infrastructure issues faced by steel mills in Mariupol: Ilyich and Azovstal. In particular, they focused on a need for a greater railway capacity at the section Pologi — Kamysh-Zarya — Volnovakha. The move will boost supplies of raw materials and finished products of the plants. Ryzhenkov and Zinchenko also emphasized the importance of deepening Mariupol Sea Port to accommodate big-size vessels.
The head of the government tasked the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to hold a special meeting with the senior management of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ukrzaliznytsia and other ministries and departments to discuss the public policy on supporting the mining and metals sector.
“I want us to sit at a round table to discuss ways of addressing pressing issues to expand the product line and boost export opportunities instead of curtailing production. Exports are crucial for us”, the Prime Minister stressed.
Vladimir Groysman added that domestic infrastructure projects would help encourage the development of related industries, including the steel industry. He emphasized the importance of modernization investments made by Metinvest Group, stating that metal industry was one of the sectors that needed to be developed. Moreover, the premier promised that the government would assist Ukrainian businesses with the export potential to strengthen their competitiveness. (Metinvest/Ukrainian metal)