Fergus Drake has a message for the Ukraine Recovery Conference that begins in London on Wednesday, born from his experience of helping the country's health ministry fight corruption over many years.
Taking on a “mafia” deeply embedded in the system freed up resources that would have otherwise been diverted to corrupt pockets. One group of beneficiaries was the more than 4,000 Ukrainian men today who are alive because the money was used to buy stents that were inserted during cardiac bypass surgery.
Mr Drake, who runs Crown Agents, a non-profit spun out of the UK government, has welcomed this week's recovery conference hosted jointly by London and Kyiv. His company has a 30-year history of operating in Ukraine and has much to teach the businesses that organisers are hoping to attract to ensure the country receives the resources required for its economic and social recovery.
In spite of the Russian invasion launched last February, Mr Drake noted that Ukraine is not a failed state, unlike other countries needing to undergo vast rebuilding projects. He attributed this fact not only to Kyiv's progress in fighting corruption, but also to the practices built up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In some ways, it was very fortunate that the tragedy of the invasion happened after the Covid-19 response because we all had to survive on WhatsApp and email,” he said.
“Even in the first few weeks of the invasion, we were still in contact with Ministry of Health staff to get normal deliveries into the country.
“The centre has held, so that's why it is a very different place to some of the reconstruction conversations that happened around Iraq and Afghanistan.”
With the estimated cost of rebuilding Ukraine having exceeded the World Bank's appraisal of $411 billion, those attending the summit in London face an immense challenge. The bill is already three times the country's gross domestic product. Since the invasion began, external backers have poured $59 billion into Ukraine.
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined an aid package worth €50 billion ($54.65 billion) following a review of the bloc's 2021-27 budget.
According to Mr Drake, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government have dealt effectively with the spectre of corruption derailing its recovery.
“I think the Ukrainian government is very aware of the historical narrative that the country has had,” he said.
He added that “a plethora of institutions” have been established with the aim of mitigating double-dealing.
Mr Drake said there was a strong base of community organisations ready to provide humanitarian and other assistance. Activists across Ukraine work tirelessly to shine a light on instances of potential corruption, and the country's strong IT base allows it to operate platforms that monitor government procurements in real time.
Mustafa Nayyem, head of the State Agency for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, told a panel at Chatham House on Wednesday that officials were keen to pursue reform of the system alongside the investments it needs.
“We cannot punish a country just because some of the people are corrupt,” he said. “We are doing 200 per cent of what we can do. We cannot do things in the way that we did before.”
Mr Drake is encouraged by the principles of the post-Second World War Marshall Plan that rebuilt Germany and other parts of Europe by distributing reconstruction funds throughout the continent.
“I do think it's important that a large amount of these reconstruction funds stay in the country to act as a multiplier for jobs,” he said.
“Some of these vast multinational firms can play a key role in design [of projects], but it is important that the reconstruction is centrally owned by the Ukraine government going forward.”
More than 1,000 dignitaries from 61 countries, along with business chiefs and global investors, will attend the conference. The aim is to raise at least $20 billion in pledges and create industry, public and private sector task forces to scope out projects and draw up a master plan over a two-year timeframe.
A survey of displaced Ukrainians, set to be unveiled at the conference, will show that the number of people who “fully intend to go home” has fallen to 41 per cent in May, from above 50 per cent.
Mr Drake pointed out that the recovery has to enable neighbourhoods to return to normal function in a new, climate-friendly way.
“People will only return when there is a school to go to, and a health centre as well,” he said.
“We are not only involved with turning school bomb shelters into digital learning classrooms, but also ensuring health centres are built back better with a far lower energy footprint to ensure less dependency going forward.”
He added that Ukraine's recovery relies on three things: the ongoing humanitarian response; the quick return of its people; and the funds pledged for the country's long-term reconstruction once peace is achieved.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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