Ukraine will facilitate cooperation between French and Ukrainian companies working in the field of humanitarian demining, in particular, the localisation of production of Western models of machinery and equipment. In turn, French business is interested and ready for such cooperation. This was discussed during a meeting of the delegation of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine led by the First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko with representatives of member companies of the French Land Defence and Security Industry Association (GICAT) in Paris.

“Today, Ukraine is the most potentially mined country in the world. Approximately one third of our country’s territory is considered to be potentially contaminated with explosive devices. We have set ourselves the goal of returning up to 80% of these lands back into economic use within 10 years. This is an ambitious goal. But it is achievable. With the help of our international partners, we will do everything we can to achieve this goal by introducing new demining approaches and new technologies. Today, we already have a solid basis for developing cooperation between French and Ukrainian manufacturers of demining equipment and machinery. The Government of Ukraine will do its utmost to ensure that this cooperation is strengthened, and in particular that the production of modern French demining equipment is localised in Ukraine,” said Yulia Svyrydenko.

In turn, the representatives of the French Land Defence and Security Industry Association confirmed their high interest in such cooperation.

As noted, GICAT has set up working groups in various fields to facilitate the establishment and strengthening of contacts between French and Ukrainian businesses, prompt resolution of issues, etc. In particular, a group on humanitarian demining has been set up to unite the efforts of all French companies working in this field to accelerate the demining of Ukraine’s territory.

As of today, the French manufacturer CEFA is ready to supply 8 SDZ (Zone Demining System) vehicles to Ukraine. In addition, CEFA and one of the Ukrainian manufacturers are negotiating the joint production of spare parts for SDZ implements. As it was noted during the meeting, the French company is interested in increasing the localisation of production to the manufacture of the entire implement and its assembly in Ukraine.

“We do not need to look for additional motivation. We are highly motivated to help Ukraine,” said Jean-Marc Duquesne, GICAT’s General Delegate, during the meeting.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and representatives of GICAT member companies also discussed new areas of cooperation. In particular, it was noted during the meeting that French manufacturers produce modern robotic underwater demining systems that demonstrate high efficiency. French companies are ready to supply such systems to Ukraine.