Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development Maryana Oleskiv has said that it is very safe for tourists in Ukraine, but there may be low tolerance to cultural specifics.
“I think that Ukrainians are really very tolerant, but there are different people. This is not about danger. It is very safe for tourists in Ukraine. Here we are talking about a possible certain low tolerance to cultural specifics, which can leave an unpleasant impression about the country,” Oleskiv said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
Also, according to her, there are stories of overpricing in the service sector.
“We need to convey the following to people: that when a foreign tourist comes to them, they can earn $100, or they can inflate the price and earn $200. But then this tourist will not return to you, and ten more people will not come on his recommendation, who could spend another $100. When you come to the country, everything around is delicious and people are hospitable, you feel that there is a positive attitude towards you, you want to return. But when you feel that they want to cheat you everywhere, you do not want to come there again and tell everyone about it,” she said.
In addition, Oleskiv announced that this week she would meet with members the Ministry of Infrastructure to develop a systematic solution to the problem of illegal taxis near airports and train stations.
“Now the question arises who should control this situation, either the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety or the National Police. Therefore, clear control mechanisms need to be worked out so that illegal taxis are not able to work in these zones. This is a matter of the country’s image, therefore, taxi operations should be transparent, convenient, understandable for foreigners, safe, with a high level of service,” the head of the agency said
The Cabinet of Ministers has proposed to the Verkhovna Rada to reduce the ceiling cost of duty-free import of goods into Ukraine in hand luggage or accompanying baggage from EUR 1,000 to EUR 430 – for checkpoints at airports and seaports, as well as at the level of EUR 300 instead of EUR 500 – through other checkpoints.
In addition, the bill increases the period during which goods in connection with resettlement to a permanent place of residence in Ukraine are imported without customs duties to one year instead of current six months.
At the same time, the government bill proposes to exempt from taxation the import into the territory of Ukraine of fixed assets of companies that move their activities to Ukraine with the creation of a new enterprise.
In addition, the bill proposes to exempt from duties scientific equipment, devices, as well as other items of research activities not related to entrepreneurship.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its June report has improved the projections for the export of Ukrainian sunflower oil in 2021/22 marketing year (September-August) by 1.02 million tonnes (a rise of 18.9% compared to 2020/21), to 6.4 million tonnes, its production – by 1.05 million tonnes (a rise of 17.7%), to 6.98 million tonnes.
According to a report published on the USDA website, the projection for sunflowerseed production in Ukraine in the current marketing year has been improved by 2.6 million tonnes (a rise of 18.5%), to 16.7 million tonnes.
In its June report, the USDA improved its forecast for Ukraine’s exports of sunflowerseed meal in 2021/22 by 0.7 million tonnes (a rise of 15.2% versus 2020/21), to 5.3 million tonnes, its production – by 1.01 million tonnes (a rise of 17.7%), to 6.71 million tonnes.
According to the USDA, Ukraine in 2021/22 will remain the main world exporter of sun sunflowerseed flower oil, while world production of sunflowerseed oil will grow by 10.2%, to 21.15 million tonnes.
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 14/06/21
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
The restoration of the Egypt-Ukraine Business Council will be on the agenda of the intergovernmental bilateral meeting in June, which will be held in Egypt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ayman Ahmed Mokhtar Elgammal has said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
He said that the Egypt-Ukraine Business Council will consist of representatives of Ukrainian and Egyptian business.
The Ambassador said that the Chambers of Commerce of both countries will present participants who are interested and have experience in doing business both in Ukraine and in Egypt. The council’s activities will also be aimed at promoting business and bilateral investments, holding various sectoral specialized exhibitions in both countries. Thus, since the council includes both sides, it will be clearer for business how to invest in Ukraine, Elgammal said.
The ambassador recalled that the Egypt-Ukraine Business Council was created ten years ago, but has been inactive in recent years.
The focus of activity (of the council) is not limited to investments. All types of business activities, investments, co-production, joint ventures and projects depending on the sector – everything will be promoted by this council, Elgammal said.
He is convinced that obtaining information on investment opportunities in Ukraine and Egypt through the council will be much faster and easier than through government institutions in both countries.