Secretary Antony J. Blinken And U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker At a Visit to Esper Bionics

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, I think you’ve seen another remarkable example of Ukrainian ingenuity, innovation here at Esper.  This technology is truly extraordinary.  In fact, as I recall, it was featured on the cover of TIME magazine.  It’s one of the most innovative prosthetics that the world has seen, and it’s also using AI to further enable its functions.

We’re proud here as well to be a partner, to be a supporter.  USAID has been supporting this venture, and I’m very pleased to announce today an additional grant – the Competitive Economy grant – from USAID to further help Esper develop and to make sure, for example, that it can bring in new equipment and also warehouse management software, other things that will help it expand its business.  AID is very focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, which are really at the heart of the modern economy and certainly at the heart of what’s going on here in Ukraine.

And just as this is focused in a sense – as we all are – on winning the war, it’s also focused on making sure that Ukraine wins the peace.  And we’ve already seen Ukraine be among the most advanced countries when it comes to various aspects of technology, including now the use of artificial intelligence.

But let me turn it over to Special Presidential Envoy Pritzker, who’s been working incredibly effectively to help Ukraine advance its economy, to bring in private sector investment, to talk a little about this and other initiatives.  Thank you.

MS PRITZKER:  Secretary, thank you very much.  What an extraordinary visit here today to see the innovation of Ukraine that’s not only brought to the battlefield and to those who’ve been harmed in fighting Putin’s war, but also in bringing their innovation to the world.  And it’s extraordinary, the fact that they make their hand available for no cost here in Ukraine, supported by donors as well as supported by their commitment to their fellow countrymen.

The partnership between USAID and Esper Bionics is one that is a great roadmap for how the private sector can work with our government to expand really extraordinarily important products not only needed within Ukraine but desperately needed around the world.  This is how we can bring Ukrainian innovation and ingenuity to all who need it, and it’s also a way that Ukraine is able to move from recovery to rebuilding to ultimately a renaissance.  And it’s just a real pleasure to be here today, so thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks very, very much.