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The Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) has proposed creating a museum of industry in Ukraine and to use loss-making coal mines in eastern and western Ukraine as sites for the project, including state-owned No. 1 Novovolynska mine. The museum was to be built as per a presidential decree in 2000, however the project wasn't realized and needs to be re-launched.
The project is being lobbied actively by ULIE's Donetsk regional affiliate and has already received the support of Ukraine's Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry.
According to the plan, grants will be sought for the project from European donors.
"We have to show the past of industrialized Ukraine and the potential the country has. Success depends on the development of our technical, industrial and innovation capabilities. There is not one positive example of national development of a country with an economy based on raw materials," ULIE President Antaloly Kinakh said.
A roadmap for the project has been drafted, along with a plan to seek donors. ULIE proposes creating an organizing committee headed by a Ukrainian deputy prime minister, since some decisions will need to be taken by government.
A photo exhibition, dubbed "European footprint in the creation of Ukraine's industry," will be organized with the support of European Union embassies in Ukraine in order to drum up public and parliamentary support for the project.
"We want to show that Donbas, despite the complicated situation in the region, has industrial potential and will develop it," ULIE Donetsk regional branch chief Viacheslav Redko said, adding that Ukraine's Energy and Coal Industry Ministry officials, regional officials, interested parties and industrialists sould meet to discuss the project in the near future.