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Ukraine to boost drone exports and tech partnerships

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Zelenskiy meets top U.S. business leaders for investment

talks

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Ukraine's drone industry grows amid war

KYIV, Sept 25 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

outlined Ukraine's plans to boost drone exports and expand tech

partnerships as he met the top management of a host of leading

U.S. businesses, his office said on Thursday.

Exports of Ukraine's weapons have been restricted since

Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022, with everything

rolling off the production line diverted to the national defence

effort.

"Our country has a strong drone manufacturing industry and

more than 300 technology companies. I think this is a new

direction for our business and economy in the future," Zelenskiy

said in a statement.

"I think this year we will open up exports of our new

technologies only to those countries that we can count on," he

added.

Zelenskiy met with representatives of companies including

Amazon ( AMZN ), Bank of America ( BAC ), Chemours, Citi, CRH, Fairfax, GE

Vernova ( GEV ), Hogan Lovells, Jacobs, JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ), Lazard ( LAZ ),

Logistics Plus, Marsh McLennan ( MMC ), TechMet and Westinghouse, his

office said.

Some of the companies already operate or invest in Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said that Kyiv was ready to open up new sectors for

partnerships and investments.

UKRAINE'S DRONE OUTPUT SOARS

Ukraine's domestic weapons production and its drone output

in particular have increased massively during the war, with

hundreds of firms manufacturing millions of drones that have

been tested on the battlefield.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine planned to establish export platforms

in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

As the government seeks to prop up its war-devastated

economy, Kyiv is keen to strengthen its ties with the U.S. and

has been wooing American businesses with potential investment

opportunities.

Earlier this month, Ukraine and the U.S. International

Development Finance Corporation launched a joint fund with $150

million investment that is part of Kyiv's minerals deal with

Washington, first signed in April.

Ukrainian officials said Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is

planning to visit the United States at the end of the month for

more detailed talks with U.S. businesses.