A memorandum of cooperation between the Ukrainian-Swiss Business Association (USBA) and the Association of Investment-Attractive Communities, a local association of local governments, was signed this week in the city of Kyiv.

The purpose of the Memorandum is to cooperate in protecting the rights and interests of the united territorial communities, and to promote local and regional development.

The document was signed by USBA President Dmytro Sidenko and Chairman of the Association Ruslan Maistruk.

“Switzerland is a country where people, communities, and cantons play a key role in legislative initiatives and decisions. Switzerland’s experience in building decentralization is extremely useful for Ukraine. The Swiss Government has been actively supporting Ukraine’s local government reform for several years now. We are confident that our cooperation with the Association of Investment Attractive Communities and the study of the Swiss example will be another impetus for Ukraine’s economic development and prosperity,” commented Dmytro Sidenko, President of the USBA, on the signing of the Memorandum.

“We see our goal in developing the economic potential of communities. In transparent use of funds by communities and in increasing revenues to community budgets. In finding opportunities and developing effective cooperation between communities and businesses. The signing of the Memorandum with the Ukrainian-Swiss Business Association (USBA) is a very important step for the Association of Investment Attractive Communities. Because Switzerland is a good example of how, thanks to the transfer of power to communities, it has managed to get one of the strongest economies in the world. The joint projects that we are now beginning to prepare for implementation will help communities gain new opportunities for development,” commented Ruslan Maistruk, Head of the Association, on the signing of the Memorandum.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the first steps to organize a special study tour for Ukrainian communities to the Swiss Confederation.