Press Statement/
See video of the speaker series during the event HERE
The US Department of Commerce has hosted a series of speakers and meetings as part of the first day of the Defense Industrial Base Conference to convene more than 300 U.S. and Ukrainian industry and government representatives to explore opportunities for co-production and other industrial cooperation with Ukraine.
According to a statement from the authorities, the conference “is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to significantly increase weapons production to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and security”.
During the speaker series, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriyy Yermak, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine Ruslan Stephanchuk, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, and Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin delivered remarks.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also delivered remarks via video.
“We know the importance of a resilient Ukrainian defense industrial base, and that’s what today is all about. We are committed to helping Ukraine leverage and expand your own considerable defense in defense industrial base capabilities. You have a strong defense industrial base, but we need to lean in to work with you in partnership with the private sector, the public sector, to strengthen it, and to deepen it to make it more innovative,” said Secretary Raimondo. “We’re with you every step of the way, we stand with you today and tomorrow, until the end, until victory.”
The Commerce Department has taken a number of steps to aid in Ukraine’s effort to defend themselves. The Department’s Bureau of Industry Security (BIS) has imposed export controls and enforcement penalties to prevent Russia from accessing military equipment, drones, spare parts, and other supplies they need to continue to conduct their war. BIS has also helped prioritize export licenses for urgently needed items for the Ukrainian defense forces. The Department’s International Trade Administration continues connecting U.S. companies with Ukrainian companies that are in need of goods and services.
Earlier this year, the Department extended temporary suspension of tariffs on Ukrainian steel imports. The Commerce Department has also worked with the U.S. business community to support Ukraine by providing emergency aid and services, such as lifesaving medicine, telecommunications equipment, satellite equipment, IT infrastructure, medical devices, and harnessing American industry expertise.
“The United States stands resolute in its support for Ukraine, and this event has only solidified and strengthened our commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s safety, security, and success,” Deputy Secretary Gaves said. He added that the two countries could work to build a Ukraine that houses a world-class defense industry base for years to come.
Initial conference deliverables focused on first steps: institutionalizing relationships, processes, and dialogue between industry and government partners.
The conference followed the International Defense Industries Forum hosted by Ukraine on September 29 and reinforced the United States’ long-term commitments to the U.S. defense industrial base, to Ukraine’s economic recovery, and the joint commitment to enhance industrial, armaments, and security cooperation between both nations.
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