Business news from Ukraine

Ukraine has issued the first two licenses for the production of alcohol distillates and spirits to small producers from Odessa and Kiev regions, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has reported.

The Ministry reminded that small entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to license production after the government adopted a resolution simplifying the obtaining of production licenses. For example, small producers have received the right to submit, instead of a production certificate, a declaration of compliance of the material and technical base of small distillate production with the requirements of the legislation, registered by the State Service of Ukraine on food safety and protection (Gospotrebsluzhba).

“Prior to the adoption of regulations, the craft spirits segment in Ukraine was absent or operated in the shadows due to the complex regulatory framework. Now producers have the opportunity to create their own business and process agricultural products into value-added products that will be in demand in domestic and foreign markets,” the report says.

In addition, the current legislation provides grounds for the development of drinks with special qualities and characteristics, which can be registered as geographical indications and become a visiting card of Ukraine, to stimulate the development of gastrotourism.

Continuation of small business development in the sphere of alcoholic beverages production is the Law “On State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol Distillates, Bioethanol, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products, Tobacco Raw Materials, Liquids Used in Electronic Systems” recently signed by the President of Ukraine. The document, in particular, provides for simplification of regulation of the activities of small wineries, small producers of distillates and small producers of beer, drew attention in the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.