WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The economy has deteriorated since an armed conflict between government forces and militias in southeastern Ukraine escalated in 2014.
Foreign direct investment in the country fell to a record low of negative $430 million following the Maidan revolution in early 2014. In the years since, Kiev has eased regulations so that foreign companies are able to acquire controlling stakes in Ukrainian companies.
“Agribusiness is probably number one” among sectors eyed by American firms, followed by “infrastructure — developing ports for exports, developing the rivers, developing the railroads,” he said on Tuesday.
According to Williams, “There is interest in getting back to developing tourism and travel in areas other than Kiev. So there are a lot of areas that look attractive to companies and investors.”
Some US companies operating in Ukraine have investment plans in mind, but they are hesitant to act until additional economic reforms are carried out, he said.
“We talk to a lot of companies about their plans,” Williams explained. “There is a lot in the sense of the drawing board that could be implemented within a reasonable time, but they [companies] are still waiting for more action from the Ukrainian government.”
