The global technology company Nasdaq will provide technical assistance to the government of Ukraine for the future international financial center and development of capital markets in Ukraine, access of Ukrainian companies to long-term financing in international markets.

Nasdaq and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine signed the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 12 in the presence of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

"The expertise and technologies of Nasdaq are important tools for attracting long-term financing for Ukrainian companies and developing organised markets. We are sincerely grateful to our U.S. partners for their systematic efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s economic capacity. Our goal this year is to become more economically self-reliant, and cooperation with Nasdaq is an opportunity to make our economy more resilient, create more equal opportunities, and realise our economic potential to the fullest," said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

As part of the agreement, Nasdaq and the Ministry of Economy will identify areas of cooperation that can contribute to the recovery of the Ukrainian economy. Nasdaq is also considering potential options to waive listing fees for Ukrainian companies on both the US and EU Nasdaq markets, but the fee waiver is subject to regulatory approval.

"It will take a concerted global effort from both the public and private sectors to support the rebuilding of Ukraine's economy, and this agreement is a first step to a deeper partnership between Nasdaq and Ukraine," said Ed Knight, Executive Vice Chairman, Nasdaq.

It is clarified that the partnership between Nasdaq and the government of Ukraine was facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID Administrator Samantha Power, quoted in the release, recalled that Ukraine managed to attract $4 billion in foreign direct investment during the first three quarters of last year, and the new partnership highlights the attractive investment opportunities Ukraine offers.