U.S President, Joe Biden has appointed former Commerce Secretary, Penny Pritzker as the new special representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery.
Pritzker, a great-granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants, served as Commerce Secretary under former President, Barack Obama.
She is Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker’s sister.
Since the war started, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, often speaks of his roots in Ukraine, calling himself, “the great-grandson of Ukrainian Jewish refugees.”
In this new post, which will come under the State Department, Penny Pritzker will spearhead economic recovery efforts.
In a statement, Biden asserted, “As an accomplished public servant, former Secretary of Commerce, and transformative industry leader—with deep familial ties to Ukraine—Special Representative Pritzker brings decades of experience and expertise to this critical position.”
“Working in lockstep with the Ukrainian government, our allies and partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector, she will drive the United States’ efforts to help rebuild the Ukrainian economy.”
President Joe Biden
Biden disclosed that Pritzker would mobilise public and private investment, shape donor priorities, and work to open export markets and businesses closed by what he called Russia’s brutal attacks and destruction.
“Special Representative Pritzker will also work with Ukraine’s other international partners, including via the G7 coordination platform, to ensure that international efforts are complementary and mutually reinforcing, as well as to encourage international partners to keep stepping up their support for Ukraine’s immediate economic recovery needs.”
President Joe Biden
Also, Biden stressed that Special Representative Pritzker will help the Ukrainian government make reforms needed to strengthen its economy. She will also work with Ukraine to “help ensure that as Ukraine begins to rebuild, it rebuilds stronger.”
A World Bank report released in March stated that rebuilding Ukraine’s badly damaged infrastructure and gutted urban areas could cost more than $400 billion over a decade, with the cost of cleaning up the war rubble alone at $5 billion.
In a recent report, the U.S Agency for International Development also called for reconstruction that modernizes Ukraine’s economy, by strengthening the private sector and anti-corruption protections, with the aim of supporting Kyiv’s goal of integrating into the European Union.
In addition, Biden emphasized,“As we take this next step to help Ukraine forge a stronger future, we remain steadfastly committed to helping it defend its freedom today.”
“The brave people of Ukraine have inspired the world with their resilience and resolve, and as this announcement reaffirms, the United States remains committed to stand with them, for as long as it takes.”
President Joe Biden
Separately, U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken revealed that Pritzker would also work closely with Kyiv on reforms needed to mobilise foreign direct investment.
Pritzker Seeks To Ensure Ukraine’s Survival
In a statement, Penny Pritzker affirmed, “Our collective mission is simple: to see to it that Ukraine survives and thrives.”
“Simply put, the stakes could not be higher, ” she said.
“My role — working with governments and the private sector around the world — is about ensuring Ukraine succeeds, now and long into the future as a prosperous, secure, independent, sovereign democracy.”
Penny Pritzker
Moreover, Pritzker admitted in that her new role is “personal” for her.
“My family fled Ukraine in the late 1800s, and my attachment to the country remains.
“During my tenure as Commerce Secretary, I worked with the Ukrainian government to advance progress on reforms, draw private sector interest, and coordinate with partner governments — activities I will also pursue in this role.”
Penny Pritzker
“And, like many Americans, I have been inspired by the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people,” she added.
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