Scott Nathan, the United States International Development Finance Corporation’s chief executive, visited Kyiv this week, where he announced the intent to invest $250 million in small businesses.
He also proposed temporarily sending Washington-based staff to Ukraine to aid in sourcing transactions and highlighting potential investments in health and technology sectors.
The DFC is an agency of the US federal government that teams up with the private sector to invest in typically middle- and lower-income countries.
Nathan and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink met with First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.
They discussed the DFC’s longstanding commitment to investing in Ukraine’s economy.
DFC works with Horizon Capital to support eCommerce, fintech, and technology businesses across Ukraine and Moldova.
The agency is also looking into investments for the Dobrobut Hospital in Kyiv, which is at the forefront of providing physical and psychological rehabilitation.
Nathan also held a roundtable meeting with Ukrainian banks to discuss the challenges they faced during wartime and how DFC can contribute to sustaining the economy.
He then met with local energy sector leaders to discuss rebuilding Ukraine’s energy grid and its necessity for the country's economic prosperity.
“The private sector is resilient and has a crucial role to play in investing for Ukraine’s future,” said Nathan.
“I’m convinced that new DFC investments here will mobilize well over $1 billion in private capital to support the economy of Ukraine. DFC remains committed to supporting high-standard, high-value projects in this country in the months and years to come.” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Jan. 31.
“Normally, DFC supports American investors in their projects around the world, so we really appreciate it that they are helping Ukrainian companies today.”
