Members of the “Ukrcement” association expect the newly formed Cabinet of Ministers to engage in an open dialogue with the industry regarding problematic issues and to prioritize the interests of domestic producers, Lyudmyla Kripka, executive director and head of the scientific and technical information department at the “Ukrcement” association, told the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency.
“We expect the new government to engage in an open dialogue and be willing to listen to the industry’s position on problematic issues. We hope that protecting domestic producers will remain a priority of state policy, and that there will be a timely and state-oriented response to the challenges currently facing the cement industry,” she noted.
Among the achievements of the current government, Kripka highlighted the successful harmonization of national standards with European Union legislation as part of the implementation of Ukraine’s Law “On the Supply of Construction Products to the Market.” In addition, she emphasized the support provided to domestic producers, which has been a key factor in maintaining the competitiveness of Ukrainian industry.
At the same time, despite numerous appeals by the Association and its partners to the government, it has not been possible to protect Ukrainian cement producers from the discriminatory impact of the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), Kripka added.
“The default CO2 emission values set for Ukraine have effectively become a barrier to the export of Ukrainian cement products to European Union countries,” she explained.
For building materials manufacturers, it is important that issues related to infrastructure development, national reconstruction, and industrial policy remain among the government’s priorities regardless of the organizational model of central executive bodies, Kripka said in response to a question about the possible separation of a standalone Ministry of Infrastructure from the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
“We believe that the effectiveness of public administration is determined not so much by the number of ministries as by the quality of their work, the level of coordination, and the speed of decision-making. Furthermore, any structural changes should not lead to delays in the implementation of government programs, duplication of functions, or complications in business interactions with government agencies,” the executive director concluded.
The “Ukrcement” Association was established in January 2004 through the reorganization of the Ukrainian Concern of Cement Industry Enterprises and Organizations “Ukrcement.” The association comprises five groups of companies, including nine cement plants.
CABINET OF MINISTERS, CBAM, CEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, UKRCEMENT
