The United States takes seriously its responsibility to support the Ukrainian people, who are working to develop their own democratic and prosperous society, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch has said.

Speaking at the opening of the forum of small businesses on Sofiyska Square in Kyiv on Saturday, the ambassador said the joint project of USAID and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has helped many people to find shelter and social support, as well as learn skills necessary to start work and start their own business.

The USAID program provided comprehensive support in reintegration for more than 1,300 people, they also helped hundreds to start their own businesses, Yovanovitch said.

She said the U.S. takes very seriously its duty to support the Ukrainian people who are working to develop their own democratic and prosperous society.

According to International Organization for Migration Mission in Ukraine (IOM) Chief Manfred Profazi, some 5,500 people benefited from a program to strengthen the economic potential of migrants and people who require support over ten years. These people, including internally displaced persons, established small enterprises or became self-employed in agriculture, production, construction, and services, he said.

A fair of small enterprises dubbed 'BizFair' is taking place on Sofiyska square on Saturday, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Over a hundred representatives of small enterprises of various business sectors presented their own goods and services – furniture, ironwork and wooden products, sportswear and casual wear, bags and accessories, jewelry, games for children, as well as beverages and other food products.