Opening the round table discussion, Committee Chairwoman Natalia Korolevska stated that implementation of the Law "On State-Private Partnership" is the only tool for attracting the private capital into the housing and public utility sector. Interaction and close cooperation between the state and the private economic sector, attraction of the private capital to the settlement of public issues, and coordination of the business interests under the conditions of market relations and partnership should become a driving force of this process.
This Law sets the legal basis for cooperation between the state and the private business on the principles of partnership and with account for the interests of the parties. The Law defines state-private partnership as a system of relations between the state and the private partners, during realization of which the capacities of both partners are combined with the due distribution of risks, responsibility and obtainment of positive final results for the mutually beneficial long-term cooperation on the establishment (restoration) of new and modernization of operating facilities that need investments, as well as use (exploitation) of such facilities.
According to N. Korolevska, housing and public utility sector "is in pitiable state, as nearly 75% of plumbing system is worn down." The Committee Chairwoman believes that is the reason for the critical situation in the housing and public utility sector. 31% of water distribution systems and 20% of heating systems need immediate replacement, 90% of waste treatment facilities are in disrepair, while in 187 cities these facilities work with frequent failures.
According to the experts, upgrade of the housing and public utility sector needs USD 150 billion more than 100% of the GDP of Ukraine. "Even if all the receipts from the utility payments were allotted to the repair of infrastructure, the major overhaul of the sector would last for 31 years," stated the speakers.
The People´s Deputies suggested that the problem of upgrading the housing and public utility sector be not shifted to the ordinary Ukrainians, but settled with the help of private investments. "The investments need stimuli, which are suggested in the adopted Law "On State-Private Partnership," stressed the participants. They consider it the only possible tool to attract private capital into the housing and public utility sector.
Adjourning the sitting, N. Korolevska stated that the motions expressed during the discussion would be summed up and used in further work.