On March 17, 2014, NBU Governor Stepan Kubiv met with representatives of the International Finance Corporation (the "IFC"), who were headed by IFC Regional Manager Rufat Alimardanov.

During the meeting the governor told the participants about the current situation in Ukraine, and thanked the IFC for the cooperation and partnership between the organization and the National Bank of Ukraine. Kubiv said that the National Bank was doing everything possible to improve the investment climate in Ukraine. He also said that Ukraine continued to pursue an open policy, in order to ensure there is a steady inflow if investment in Ukraine.

The IFC representatives expressed their willingness to continue supporting Ukraine by financing investment projects and providing advisory services. They also said the IFC would increase investment in Ukraine. At present, the IFC’s total investment portfolio in Ukraine is over USD 1 billion, of which 40% is investment in the agricultural sector and infrastructure.

During the meeting, Alimardinov said that in 2014 the IFC would invest about USD 400 million, as part of the World Bank’s USD 3 billion initiative, in the following priority areas: banking sector, agricultural sector, infrastructure, energy efficiency, and small and medium businesses. Efforts will also be made to promote trade financing through Ukrainian banks.

The parties also discussed issued related to the current cooperation between the IFC and the National Bank, including steps to make the cooperation more effective.