The Polish company Cersanit, which has a large plumbing plant in Zviahel in Ukraine, plans to additionally invest UAH 15 million in a kaolin clay deposit in Dubrovska community of Zviahel district, said Vitaliy Bunechko, head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration.

"I am very pleased that the enterprises are expanding. For example, Cersanit. Despite the fact that the guys were taken away [we are talking about the mobilization of employees], they are investing in a kaolin clay deposit in Dubrovska community o Zviahel district f: the enterprise plans to additionally invest UAH 15 million in its development," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Bunechko recalled that at one time there was an attempt to illegally take this deposit away from Cersanit, but he made efforts to have this site returned to state ownership, put it up for auction, and Cersanit bought it legally and is now developing it.

"It's a pity that they built a new workshop just before the war, but never launched it, because the management at the central office decided to place this equipment in Poland. But the workshop is completely ready, all that remains is to connect it to the grid and put it into operation. I am sure that this will finally happen," the head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration said.

Among other large investors in the regional mineral resources, he also singled out the BGV group of Hennadiy Butkevych.

Bunechko pointed out that before the war, BGV invested about EUR 20 million in a granite quarry based on the Zherevske deposit, purchasing new equipment and creating new jobs. According to him, unfortunately, the quarry is not currently operating at full capacity, but additional investments are being made.

"I know for sure that when the major restoration begins, this quarry will be very useful to us. BGV is also interested in and has licenses for the development of beryllium in Olevsk district. There was a presentation at the President's Office on beryllium. I am primarily satisfied with the investments and jobs there. It is a pity that the war interfered, but no one stopped the process," the head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration added.

At the same time, he stated that not a single major investor left Zhytomyr region during the full-scale war.

"Moreover, the Bayer company expanded its production in the region and additionally invested EUR 60 million in it. And what spaceships-gas stations are WOG and UPG building before entering Zhytomyr! I am very pleased that UPG is a Zhytomyr company paying taxes to Zhytomyr region. Its owner Volodymyr Petrenko is a resident of Zhytomyr region," Bunechko noted.

Answering the question about the position regarding enterprises whose owners were sanctioned, the head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration emphasized the need to separate the owners and enterprises and their workers. "The region is interested in business working... Therefore, those who have the authority to do so should deal with the owners. And business should work," he said.

As an example, Bunechko cited the budget-forming Ovruch crushed stone plant, which was taken from the Gomel City Council and transferred to ARMA. According to him, when the risk of flooding of the enterprise arose, he held negotiations with head of ARMA Olena Duma.