At the economic and security forum held in Kyiv on April 5, the general director of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles LLC, Vladyslav Belbas, expressed his belief that Ukraine has unique opportunities to attract investments from the United States of America and other developed countries into its defense sector. Mr. Belbas noted that these processes have already begun and are actively continuing.
But at the same time, the Ukrainian side must remove certain important obstacles in order to improve the situation in the Ukrainian defense industry and win the war against Russia. "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles" LLC Vladyslav Belbas stated this during the Economic and Security Forum in Kyiv on Friday, April 5, "Telegraf" reports.
"In the USA, the entire "defense" is built on private companies. And private business is specific, which will work profitably to obtain some kind of profit — this is the capitalism that exists in the USA. If the Americans see prospects in our market, and I will say in advance that they already see them, they will come here. Because, starting with the defense forum DFNC1, which was held in Ukraine in September, and after the MSPO exhibition in Poland, American companies began actively looking for partners in Ukraine, analyzing the market. Before the arrival of such a serious business in Ukraine, due diligence of certain companies takes place, due diligence of the market — a deep analysis/research of the situation through various institutions. They are already doing it. And if they do it, it means the inevitable process of their arrival," he said.
At the same time, according to him, Ukraine also needs to think about liberalizing arms exports abroad. After all, if the domestic industrial complex can produce some products, and they are ready to buy them abroad, then it would be logical and necessary to sell Ukrainian weapons, bringing foreign currency into the country. This will improve the economic situation in Ukraine and stimulate domestic production. Also, as Belbas added, in the absence of export restrictions, nothing prevents Ukrainian companies from relocalizing production abroad, in the same Poland.
"A long-term war is draining economies. And if in manual mode they do not allow you to export any products, you screw up income for the state... It is very important not to overregulate in this process. We're already seeing an outflow, and the drone manufacturers are doing it the fastest. For them, leaving Ukraine is very fast. But then you won't drag these companies into Ukraine, relatively speaking, with tanks. Poland has favorable taxes, a simplified system of doing business, it is easier there, there is less bureaucracy. I guarantee 100% that all producers who leave here will not return. You have to fight for it. These are the means that will help us fight now and, I think, will give us the opportunity to win the war," Vladyslav Belbas summed up.
