Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka and State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Moldova Vadim Gumene have discussed trade protection issues between the countries during a meeting of the Ukrainian-Moldovan working group, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine has reported.“Some of the issues of bilateral trade, which we today [on November 16] are raising at the meeting, have been discussed for several years. Resolving trade disputes, in particular on ensuring an equal and transparent approach to Ukrainian exporters in accordance with the principles of the World Trade Organization, will be favorable strengthening Ukrainian-Moldovan trade relations and increasing the dynamics and bilateral trade,” the press service of the ministry said on the website, citing Kachka.As the ministry said, the Moldovan side raised the issue of the use by Ukraine of anti-dumping duties on the import of cement, rods from carbon and other alloy steels originating from Moldova to Ukraine. At the same time, the Ministry of Economy said that Ukraine has already begun an interim revision of anti-dumping measures for the import of cement into Ukraine from the Rybnitsa Cement Plant (Moldova).The Ukrainian side, in turn, raised the issue of amendments to the legislation of Moldova on displaying at least 50% of food products produced and/or processed on the territory of Moldova on trade shelves in retail chains. “Such a decision may negatively affect the volume of supplies from Ukraine of products falling under the specified restrictions. We are talking about the amount of almost $170 million,” the ministry said.In addition, the issue of environmental fee in Moldova, including from importers, for goods in plastic or tetrapack packaging, remains open. The low internal control in Moldova over the payment of environmental fees by local producers is worrying, while Ukrainian companies bear double costs, the ministry said.The Ukrainian side also raised the issue of customs clearance of goods exported to Moldova. In particular, problems are caused by the frequency of checks of Ukrainian goods and the additional costs incurred by Ukrainian companies.“The results of today’s discussions will be considered during a meeting of the joint intergovernmental Ukrainian-Moldovan commission on trade and economic cooperation, which will take place in the near future,” the ministry said.
TOP 20 COUNTRIES UKRAINE HAS POSTED THE HIGHEST SURPLUS OF TRADE IN JAN-JUNE 2021 (THSD USD)
In the key areas in which trade between Ukraine and the EU takes place, the country meets 70-80% European standards, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna said in an interview with the online edition of Radio Liberty on Saturday.
“In the five main areas in which trade takes place, we meet European standards by 70-80%. This has already been confirmed. Energy sector – 80%. Food and sanitary measures – more than 70%. We fully comply with the system of public procurement and telecommunications. This is means that in the understanding of our European integration, we [Ukraine and the EU] work in the same way and live the same,” Stefanishyna said.
She also said that more than 14,000 Ukrainian companies are already operating in the European market.
Ukraine is also the country that is integrated into European structures. The country is a member of more than 20 EU agencies and institutions from law enforcement (this is the European Public Prosecutor’s Office), ending with scientific and cultural programs.
Therefore, according to Stefanishyna, from the point of view of political, economic convergence, Ukraine has actually achieved tremendous results in five years.
Top 20 countries Ukraine has posted the highest surplus of trade in Jan-June 2021 (thsd USD)
SSC of Ukraine
Sri Lanka is interested in increasing the supply of food and industrial products to the Ukrainian market, the Ministry of Economy said following a meeting between Deputy Minister, Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka and State Minister of Regional Cooperation of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasuriya. “The participants expressed interest in increasing the supply of food [tea, coffee, fruit] and industrial [textiles, clothing] products to the Ukrainian market,” the ministry said on its website on Friday.
In addition, the parties noted the prospects for cooperation in aircraft and shipbuilding, supplies of Ukrainian metallurgy products, energy and transport engineering, chemical industry and agriculture, recreational cooperation and tourism.
“The basis of our exports to Sri Lanka is traditionally agricultural products – vegetables, grains, oilseeds. Obviously, the trade potential between our countries has not yet been revealed. We, in turn, are open to cooperation in the trade and economic sphere and the implementation of joint business projects,” the ministry’s press service said, citing Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka.
The parties confirmed their readiness to create a joint intergovernmental commission as a platform for the development of trade and economic cooperation, the ministry said.
According to the State Statistics Service, the negative balance of trade with Sri Lanka in the first half of 2021 amounted to $10.154 million with an increase in Ukrainian exports to this country by 12.8% – to $9.22 million and an increase in imports from Sri Lanka to Ukraine by 18.1% – to $19.37 million over the specified period.
Ukraine is interested in resuming a dialogue on trade and economic relations with Chile, Deputy Minister of Economy – Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka said during an online meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Chile – Director of Bilateral Economic Affairs (at the General Directorate of International Economic Relations, DIRECON) Felipe Lopeandia.
“We are interested in expanding the presence of Chilean companies in the Ukrainian market and strengthening Ukrainian-Chilean business ties,” Kachka said.
According to the ministry, Chile is included in the list of the ten most promising countries for Ukraine for the development of trade relations.
“For the six months of this year, trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Chile grew by 7.9%, to $ 33.1 million, Ukrainian exports doubled to $ 5.3 million,” the ministry said.
According to Taras Kachka, the countries need to improve the balance of bilateral trade, diversify trade spheres and start joint investment projects.
According to the report, promising for Ukraine and Chile is the development of bilateral relations in the field of agro-industrial complex, energy, mechanical engineering, aircraft building, shipbuilding, as well as space, mining, pharmaceutical and transport industries.
