KYIV. April 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has assessed the situation in the Ukrainian economy and international markets and shared his views on the country’s development with businessmen.
“Our first priority is restoration of economic growth and we have an opportunity to radically change the country for business to feel more comfortable,” the press service of the president reported, citing Poroshenko.
“We will not resort to populism at the cost of the Ukrainian economy. Instead, we will make reforms that will ensure creation of an efficient, attractive and comfortable investment climate,” Poroshenko noted.
The head of state called the decision of the government on the establishment of a new fair market price for gas a “powerful anti-corruption step.”
“Everyone knows what was done with the difference in prices – fraud aimed at increasing the volume of consumption. This is for the population and this is for the district heating provider. Dealers were earning money on that and politicians covered them,” Poroshenko said.
According to the president, adoption of a fair decision on tariffs as regards both people and business is crucial, because it forms a “right approach to energy saving and energy diversification, energy security and struggle against corruption in oil and gas sector.”
At the same time, the head of state pointed out the necessity of supporting vulnerable groups of people.
The president reminded that Ukraine had restored the parliamentary coalition and formed a new Ukrainian government. In this context, he urged the parliament to speed up the adoption of necessary legislative changes aimed at simplification of privatization process, deregulation and acceleration of other economic reforms, in particular holding transparent contest for election of state enterprises management.
He also pointed out an important role of the group of strategic advisors that works with the Ukrainian government under the chairmanship of Leszek Balcerowicz and Ivan Miklos, “famous world reformers who ensure both content and communication strategy of our cooperation.”
The head of state noted the importance of continuing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and outlined the efforts of the government that will be made in that direction, including currency liberalization and European-type de-offshoring.
In the course of the discussion, the parties expressed support for the decisions of the government on the establishment of a market gas price, as well as the policy of National Bank of Ukraine, “which is one of the most successful reformers of the country according to foreign and domestic investors.”
