News item | 04-07-2023 | 11:45
The Netherlands is releasing more than €118 million for the second support package for 2023 for Ukraine. Of this, €93 million will come from the government’s reserve of €2.5 billion for support to Ukraine in 2023 and €25 million from the foreign trade and development cooperation budget.
The government has also appointed top diplomat Roderick van Schreven as Special Envoy for Business and Reconstruction Ukraine. Minister Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) reported this to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Ukraine Special Envoy
The cabinet has appointed Roderick van Schreven as Special Envoy for Business and Reconstruction Ukraine. Van Schreven has a long track record as a top diplomat and has the necessary experience and contacts in the Dutch and international business community. This enables him to provide good advice and support to the Dutch business community in establishing contacts with multilateral organisations.
Recovery and healthcare
The ongoing war continues to take its toll on Ukrainian society and economy. As a result, the needs remain great. €83 million is earmarked for repairs and health care. € 58 million of this will go to the repair of infrastructure, houses and drinking water facilities. The remaining € 25 million has been made available for medical devices and support for mobile clinics. For the implementation of the second support package, there is cooperation with the UN, World Bank, European Investment Bank, Dutch public drinking water companies and NGOs.
Emergency aid and human rights
The collapse of the Kachova Dam has had major consequences for Ukraine. The Netherlands is committed both multilaterally and bilaterally to support victims of this disaster. That is why € 10 million has been made available for emergency aid as part of the second support package. This money is intended for goods such as lifeboats and barges.
€ 875,000 will also go through the human rights fund to local NGO projects to support Ukrainian human rights defenders. They play an important role in providing access to reliable information to residents of occupied territories in particular.
Support business
The government supports companies that want to do business with Ukraine and at the same time contribute to the reconstruction of the country. The focus is mainly on sectors where the needs are high and where Dutch efforts have great added value. These are agriculture, water and health care. In practice, however, the companies face a number of challenges, including financing options that are hampered by the high risks posed by the war.
That is why the government is making €25 million available in subsidies to enable companies and civil society organizations to contribute to reconstruction and recovery. This is aimed at projects that meet the needs in Ukraine and contribute to the reconstruction and recovery of the country. Companies and social organizations can, in partnership with local organizations, submit project proposals to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency from September.
Extra financial support will also go to a Ukrainian company for the construction of a factory for building materials in Western Ukraine. The necessary machines are supplied by a Dutch SME. In addition, the government is investigating the possibility of covering the risks for companies that export to or invest in Ukraine through a guarantee or insurance facility.