Spanish companies could play an important role in Ukraine's recovery, especially in the tourism sector
The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR 2023) offered interesting opportunities for journalists to interview key figures in current affairs, such as diplomats and ministers from all over the world. In this context, Carmen Chamorro, secretary of the International Press Club, interviewed the former Minister of Development and Trade in Ukraine and current advisor to the Ukrainian government, Pavlo Kukhta. She was joined by foreign press correspondents Mónica Uriel and Belén Rodrigo.
In view of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Ukraine is on the eve of implementing a kind of Marshall Plan for its reconstruction. On this point, the government advisor replied that it should be implemented as soon as possible, given the changing and fast-moving times that will follow the end of the war. Carmen Chamorro asked him whether it was wise to speak of an "immediate reconstruction" of the country, as it might be a bit hasty to say something of such magnitude. Pavlo Kukhta replied that, although it is not known when, "it is something that will come and that the country is already working on it". That is why it is important to establish links and contacts in order to start the process in an orderly manner as soon as possible. However, he also states that "the Marshall Plan was launched 70 years ago", so "economic and social conditions have changed, as well as the way of approaching conflicts". Although the concept is similar, the Ukrainian reconstruction plan is likely to be on a larger scale, "as we are in a different century".
Kukhta ventures to link Ukrainian tourism to its economy and the recovery plan, asserting that it has "a dual character". Tourism is a very important part of a country's economy, so "naturally, it is considered in any reconstruction plan". Tourism has an effect both on the reconstruction plan and on the development of the private sector. Moreover, tourism to Ukraine plays a role that is not strictly economic, but has more to do with its cultural journey, the perception of the war and the performance of European democracies in the country. Visitors will be able to "see why blood is shed" and "reinforce their democratic beliefs".
This reconstruction plan, according to Kukhta, should be almost entirely undertaken by the private sector. The job of the public sphere should be to provide businesses with the necessary infrastructure and resources, as well as the necessary legal mechanisms to carry out their activity, but little more. "It is the private sector that has to lead this initiative, because it is the only one that can really carry out reconstruction quickly and efficiently".
The effort to carry out this reconstruction plan is not led by a specific country, but rather it is a "collective effort" that will lead to its correct execution. Each of the European countries will take the lead in different sectors to result in harmonious joint action. Kukhta took the opportunity to thank Spain for being fully involved in the situation in Ukraine, as he "sees a lot of interest on the part of Spain, both with humanitarian and criminal aid". He believes that Spanish companies could play a very important role in this reconstruction plan, as they already see cultural and aid ties between the nations.
Within the framework of Fitur, and in the delegation that Kukhta is part of together with the Ukrainian Minister of Tourism, official contacts have been made with the European Parliament and with the Community of Madrid, thus initiating state and supranational relations between Europe, Ukraine and Spain. The potential he sees for Spanish companies to participate in the reconstruction process is in the context of tourism, "a sector in which Spaniards have a great deal of experience".
As for the budget, the European Union is talking about a budget of 25 billion euros to carry out this plan. Kukhta says that "the scale of the losses is enormous", and that the amount earmarked for reconstruction cannot be specified 100%. Ukraine has lost a third of its GDP in the war so far, so its priority is to see how it can recover. However, it is clear that "this should not be paid for by European or American taxpayers", but "should be financed by Russian funds as reparations for the war crimes it has committed and the illegal activity that has taken place". More than 300 billion euros have been confiscated by the EU, the American authorities and other governments from Russia, and Ukraine claims that "this is the money that should be used to ensure this reconstruction".
Kukhta concludes the interview by claiming that there are different opinions on how to structure reconstruction and how to use this money. According to him, these funds should be channelled into private sector services through a system of cooperation between the public and private sphere, but where ultimately the money will go to private investors in order to help the situation in Ukraine.
