OREANDA-NEWS. April 04, 2016. Kyiv became the venue for the International Investment Forum “Supply and Demand in District Heating: Removing Barriers, Ensuring Transparency and Introducing Energy Efficiency”.

The participants of the event recognized that the reform of the energy sector and transition to market relations in this domain are among key challenges and commitments, undertaken by Ukraine to the IMF and the EU. Our Government has already made important steps in this direction, in particular the Law "On Natural Gas Market" was adopted. Moreover, Ukraine is among the countries showing highest energy intensity in Europe.

"We should transfer to the real market: a transparent mechanism of reciprocal payment, responsible consumption and quality services for citizens", said Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine/Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadii Zubko.

The official noted that Ukraine had embarked on the introduction of energy efficiency measures and would prolong to move in this direction. During the Forum there was presented a model of Energy Efficiency Fund, which shall enable the reduction of the heat consumption as the main priority in energy efficiency area. International partners attending the event expressed full support for the actions of the Government.

The Forum was also attended by IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Jerome Vacher, IFC's regional manager for Ukraine and Belarus Rufat Alimardanov, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski, Ambassador of Switzerland in Ukraine Guillaume Scheurer, Chairman of the Board for NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” Andrii Koboliev.