The Ernst & Young audit firm believes that the Ukrainian port industry can raise private investment in public-private partnership projects this year.

"In our opinion, the Ministry of Infrastructure has the opportunity to have, at the minimum, signed investment agreements that could be worth between USD 400 million and USD 1 billion before the end of this fiscal year," Dmitry Litvak, a partner at Ernst & Young, said during the roundtable "Development of the Port Industry: the Key Priorities and Directions," which the European Business Association organized in partnership with the Center for Transport Strategies.

According to him, the company is holding consultations with ports on three investment projects despite the fact that the Law on Seaports was adopted relatively recently and the fact that the country is beset by political confrontation.

"We are assisting in the preparation of feasibility studies and preliminary drafting of the conditions that will subsequently be used in competition," said Litvak. He added that investors are showing interest in the port industry and related projects in Ukraine.