The third day of the Kherson Oblast delegation’s visit to OOST NL (East Netherlands Development Agency) became an important step in the development of international partnership and the formation of long-term cooperation between the regional institutions of Ukraine and the Netherlands.

The key event of the day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the institution ‘Regional Development Agency’ Office of European Integration ‘ of Kherson region’ and Oost NL. The document lays the foundation for systematic cooperation in the field of regional economic development, support for innovation, investment attraction, business development, knowledge transfer and implementation of joint international projects.

During working meetings with representatives of OOST NL, TNO and Twente University, the parties discussed the prospects of cooperation in the areas:

• restoration and modernization of the agricultural sector;

• water resources management and development of modern irrigation systems;

• green and decentralized energy;

• development of a circular economy and processing of construction waste;

• digitalization, spatial planning and creation of digital models of territories;

• development of innovations, science and international technology transfer.

Particular attention is paid to the creation of a sustainable model of cooperation between regional development agencies, which will unite the government, business, science and international partners for the economic recovery and long-term development of the Kherson region.

For the Regional Development Agency of the Kherson Region, the signing of the Memorandum is the beginning of a new stage of cooperation aimed at implementing joint projects, involving international expertise and forming a modern economic model of the region.