By KYIV. Nov 21 (Interfax-Ukraine) – In Ukraine, 18 mine action operators have been certified, another 30 are undergoing this procedure, among them there are commercial companies and those working with donor funds, the Centre for Economic Strategy reported on its Telegram channel.
“Currently, the law does not clearly define the procedures for obtaining permission to clear mines, and the certification of companies is often opaque. These relations should be regulated so that they are clear, transparent and preferably bilingual for better communication with foreign organizations,” Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaravainy said, commenting on the reasons preventing the involvement of more companies in mine clearance.
According to him, the government is now completing the development of a procedure for certifying mine action operators. The document will provide for a unified standard procedure for obtaining the status of a mine action operator.
“It is also planned to launch a compensation program for demining farmland to develop the market. Its financing is already provided for in the 2024 budget,” the deputy minister added.
The Centre for Economic Strategy said that about 30% of the territory of Ukraine is potentially contaminated with mines and explosive devices, and 4,700 square kilometers of farmland in the liberated territories need inspection and demining.
