In the Kharkiv region, plans are underway to create the first underground industrial park in Ukraine, which aims to respond to the massive shelling by the Russian Federation and significant losses of local businesses. This was reported by regional entrepreneurs during a telethon, emphasizing the need to preserve the industrial potential of the area.
This is reported by Business • Media
Return of Businesses and New Challenges
Andriy Savran, the director of a bicycle manufacturing company, noted that in February 2022, the production facilities of the enterprise in Kharkiv were completely destroyed due to Russian shelling, resulting in losses of 60 million hryvnias. After nearly a year and a half of relocation to Ternopil, the company returned to its home region despite the challenging security situation.
Support from International Investors and Prospects
Currently, out of the 15 companies that were part of the industrial cluster in the region, only three remain. They operate in the fields of machine engineering, metalworking, hydraulic systems, and the production of school furniture. To preserve jobs and support the development of industry, a decision was made to create an underground industrial park. There are only five similar parks functioning in the world, and the Kharkiv project will become one of them.
It is expected that the underground park will become an autonomous space for various industries. International investors have agreed to support the implementation of this initiative. Entrepreneurs in Kharkiv note a shortage of grants and government assistance due to the region’s location in the “red zone”, so the creation of the underground park is seen as a key step for preserving and restoring the industry.
“To preserve jobs and support the industry, the region has decided to create an underground industrial park. There are only five such parks in the world. It is expected that the park will become an autonomous space for enterprises. International investors have agreed to support the implementation of the project. Currently, Kharkiv entrepreneurs are facing a lack of grants and government support due to being located in the ‘red zone’, so the initiative to create the underground park is crucial for preserving the region’s industry.”