On October 29th and 30th, the DPR capital hosted the Donetsk International Investment Forum, which was attended by more than 500 people, 250 of whom represented 17 foreign countries. The Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin told the Ukraina.ru media outlet about the importance of the Forum to the Donetsk People’s Republic and its economy.
— Mr. Pushilin, in your opinion as the leader of the DPR, what significance did the Donetsk International Investment Forum have? What has been achieved? Do you think a breakthrough has happened?
— An absolute breakthrough. More than 250 international guests took part in the forum. They represented 17 counties with advanced economies, particularly France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Finland, Turkey and Egypt, as well as 19 regions of the Russian Federation.
Those representatives came to the Republic not just as guests, but to arrange partnerships, conclude contracts, study the new market, which is of great interest to them.
This is confirmed by the results of the forum, as part of which 34 agreements were signed for the total amount of 135.6 billion rubles.
It is hard to overstate the importance of the forum. First of all, the Donetsk People’s Republic, as an economic partner, taps into the international level as an equal player.
Secondly, we show in practice that Donbass has retained its powerful industrial potential and is still of interest to foreign businesses.
We live in the circumstances imposed on us, without pointing at the difficulties, but overcoming them and doing everything possible to ensure that the Republic develops economically. It is important for us that everyone has a job, a higher salary and social guarantees. And it is precisely the expansion of the economic space that should ensure the implementation of these goals.
— The opponents of the Republic say that the forum cannot be taken seriously, because no one will invest in the DPR. This event was held in spite of the Mariupol Forum, in which Zelensky took part. What would you say to such rhetoric?
— I think our guests, many of whom have become partners as part of the forum, would be very surprised by the way the question is put. Their numerous attendances, the decisions made and the agreements signed deny this assumption, in and of themselves.
Perhaps someone is surprised that we are building the Republic without looking at Ukraine. The neighboring state has long been balancing on the edge of the debt pit. They borrow money, while we are building partnerships and earning money.
— Why were there so many representatives from Arab countries at the forum? What interest does the Arab business have in the DPR?
— We invited many people, and we are glad to see everyone who has responded. The business community of the Arab countries, most likely seeing the prospects of cooperation with the Russian Federation, is more daring to cooperate with Donbass, taking us as a part of the Russian world. It is easier for them to ignore the sanctions policy of the West.
The Arab business has shown interest in both the industrial potential and the capabilities of the agricultural sector. The discussion of cooperation has not ended at the forum. Consultations and conclusion of agreements are ongoing.
— In general, the DPR is under the European sanctions. How will European and Arab businessmen invest in the Donetsk economy, if they themselves are at risk of sanctions?
— Today it is obvious that the frightening force of the sanctions has weakened. Businessmen are aware of what they do. And realizing that has not prevented them from coming to Donetsk. Many of them were amazed by the quality of reception, the condition of the cities and industries, and we heard many warm words of gratitude for the invitation.
— Are there any specific agreements with foreign businessmen about investing in the Donetsk People’s Republic?
— International partners have shown interest in the fuel and energy complex, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, agriculture and construction industry. That is, most of our traditional industries.
We have already announced the opening of production facilities at the Petrovsky engineering plant and the hardware items plant with the attraction of investments.
Businessmen from Turkey have announced their readiness to invest in the construction and reconstruction of housing and social infrastructure.
The International Association of Islamic Business is ready to assist in the opening of a new bank in the Republic, which will allow carrying out international settlements with all countries worldwide. And this is only a part of the agreements.
International partners note that the DPR has the necessary infrastructure for business development and it should be used for mutual benefit.
— What is the correlation between the Investment Forum and the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, whose fulfillment has started based on Steinmeier’s formula?
— The relation is based on peace reestablishment. Steinmeier’s formula, as a mechanism for implementing one of the stages of the Minsk Agreements, facilitates the onset of peace in our land.
Without full-fledged peace, it is unlikely that we can fully launch our economy to the extent that we have planned. I am sure that both our desire to end the war and our synergistic efforts with our friends and partners will surely yield the desired result. Donbass is used to being a winner, and it will remain so.