Source: Information and public relations department of Poltava Regional State Administration
The Poltava Regional State Administration hosted a meeting with a delegation of the Ukrainian-Canadian technical assistance project “Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance” (PLEDDG) led by Senior Governance Advisor Laura Hagg. First Deputy Head of the Regional State Administration Dmytro Lunin thanked the team of the PLEDDG for their cooperation and assistance in the development of the Poltava Oblast, support in the implementation of effective democratic governance, and acceleration of economic development of the region. He also asked to provide expert assistance and advice in the development of strategic programs.
Therefore, this area can be used to attract investment for the construction of both medical and rehabilitation facilities. In addition, the First Deputy Head of the Oblast State Administration told the Canadian partners that the decentralization reform caused the need for large hospitals or boarding schools to disappear. Eventually, they will be closed, and to avoid the premises standing vacant, they can be converted into facilities that are important today.
Aside from industry in the Kremenchuk Raion and agriculture in the oblast, there are no other large areas for development in the Poltava Oblast according to Dmitro Lunin. Therefore, the oblast leadership has an ambitious goal – to become the center for rehabilitation in Ukraine.
Oleksandr Ignatenko, Senior Expert in Intergovernmental Cooperation and Economic Development of the Partnership for Local Economic Development project, said that the PLEDDG team will be able to involve tourism specialists in the development of the Poltava Oblast Development Strategy, conduct workshops, and so on. In addition, specialists from Canada will be involved in the cooperation remotely.
Department of Economic Development, Trade, and Investment of the Poltava Oblast State Administration reported that the strategy itself and all necessary materials have been assembled. The Canadian side needs only to provide a critical assessment of what has been achieved and an outside perspective of the current developments.