Vitaliy Koval: digitalization and involvement of professionals are key directions for developing state institutions

Vitaliy Koval, the Chairman of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, participated in the event "Reforms and Resilience: Governance for Survival", held in Berlin. Together with Ukrainian colleagues and international partners, he discussed the challenges and prospects of public administration in Ukraine during the war.

In his speech, Vitaliy Koval emphasized the priority of strengthening the institutional capacity of central executive authorities. "Today, we are undertaking a great task, transforming the country during the war. We clearly realize the importance of people and institutions, and that it is people who create institutions," he stated.

The Chairman of the State Property Fund outlined the main challenges faced by the Fund during wartime. In particular, these include the reduction in the number of employees due to mobilization and the overall downsizing of the state apparatus.

In 2024, the number of employees at the State Property Fund decreased from 1800 to 1200 people. At the same time, the Fund is expanding activities, performing new important functions for the country, such as implementing the reform of leasing state agricultural lands and managing sanctioned assets.

"We see the solution in involving professionals and comprehensive process automation," emphasized Vitaliy Koval. He cited the successful example of digitalization – the state electronic system Prozorro.Sale, via which the State Property Fund conducts all auctions for privatization and leasing.

"In 2019, I switched from private business to public service and realized that nowhere else are there such opportunities for large-scale changes in the country. We call on Ukrainians worldwide to show national patriotism and work in the public sector. Because no one else but us can do this," Vitaliy Koval stressed.

At the end of his speech, the Chairman of the State Property Fund thanked international partners for their support and expressed hope for further close cooperation.

For reference: The event "Reforms and Resilience: Governance for Survival" was organized by RISE Ukraine, the German Marshall Fund, the Transatlantic Democracy Working Group, the German-Ukrainian Bureau, the Professional Government Association (PGA), the Institute of Analysis and Advocacy, Transparency International Ukraine, and was supported by the Open Society Foundations, the International Renaissance Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PACT, UK International Development, the Open Contracting Partnership, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.