Business met with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees

27/ 04/ 2021

Listen to online Stop     Yesterday, April 26, the European Business Association met with Dmytro Razumkov, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. When asked about the priorities in the work for 2021, Mr. Razumkov made an emphasis on cooperation with international organizations. He stressed that the Verkhovna Rada will move in the direction of reforms that ensure the further development of the country and its fulfillment of the obligations to key partners. Besides, the EBA representatives learned from the chairs of the relevant Parliamentary Committees on the current status of a range of draft laws that are significant for business operations. Thus, Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, expressed support for the position of the European Business Association on total fiscalization and prevention of draft laws № 4468 and № 4490, which provide for non-application of cash registers (RSOs) by certain groups of individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) until they reach a certain amount of income for the calendar year. Such an approach will indirectly enable the non-use of RSOs when trading goods of risk groups, such as technically complex consumer electronics, medicines, etc. At the beginning of the year, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on the establishment of the Bureau of Economic Security. In addition to this law, draft law 3959-1 is currently being prepared, which, according to Mr. Hetmantsev, is 90% ready for the second reading, although some controversial issues are still being discussed in the Working Group. It was noted that this document will separate the jurisdiction of the BES and other law enforcement agencies. The very fact that the Economic Security Bureau will have the same force as the tax police is of great concern to business representatives. Although, it was informed to the business that according to the law on the BES, the Security Service of Ukraine loses its authority to investigate economic crimes six months after the establishment of the new body. There is also some skepticism in the community about the funding of the new body for the current year, as the corresponding expenditures were not provided for in the state budget. So far, it is planned that the funds allocated for the work of the State Fiscal Service in the amount of UAH 1.5 billion will be redistributed to BES. When it comes to energy issues, Andriy Gerus, Chairman of the respective Verkhovna Rada Committee, assured the business that draft laws № 2390, № 5139, № 2388 on the settlement of the debt of SE Energorynok will be supported by both the Committee and the Verkhovna Rada. Meanwhile, the draft law on Ukraines energy independence will be submitted for public discussion in order to find a consensus between the parties. For their part, EBA representatives noted that the difference of positions is normal, therefore it is necessary to have an important constructive dialogue. So, the community invited Andriy Gerus to a meeting, and he accepted that invitation. Therefore, we hope to have an opportunity to discuss with him promptly the topical problems in the sector. Dmytro Natalukha, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development, informed about the polar views among right holders regarding draft law №4537 on the creation of a more transparent and fair system of copyright fees charged from equipment for private copying and reprographic reproduction. Also, the draft law was concluded by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on European Integration as one that does not meet the norms of the European Union. Therefore, a Working Group will most likely be set up to discuss the positions of all stakeholders and develop a compromise solution. Mr. Natalukha also spoke about the situation with draft law №4185 on the possibility of issuing electronic guarantees for household appliances. The draft law was recommended by the Committee for submission to the first reading, as well as its possible inclusion in the next extraordinary session. At the same time, the draft law contradicts the CMU Resolution №506, which allows the issuance of warranty cards only in paper form. However, Mr. Natalukha said that appropriate consultations would be held with the Government to resolve the conflict. Oleh Bondarenko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, emphasized that 90% of the European Business Associations comments were taken into account when finalizing the first reading of draft law №4167 on industrial pollution. He also stressed the importance of adopting draft law № 3091 on state environmental control, which provides for the abolition of environmental inspection in its current form and the creation of a new structure that will guarantee a horizontal reform of environmental control. Regarding draft law № 2289 on unblocking the import of PPPs, Mykola Solskyi, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, informed that the document is currently in line for voting in the second reading. He noted that it will be considered after the work on the draft law on the land market is completed. Mykhailo Radutsky, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Care, and Health Insurance, emphasized once again that compromise decisions with business will be adopted in draft law № 4358 before the second reading. At the same time, the text of the document already contains some proposals of the Association, namely, extending the transition period to 30 months and temporary removal of the norm on advertising for tobacco products. As for the Track & Trace system, Mr. Radutsky stated that he did not see any monopoly risks in it. During the meeting, there was also a presentation of the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Protection of Investors Rights and the results for the first ten months of its work. The Commissions main goal is to provide immediate help to businesses and resolve complaints from companies by adopting the necessary changes to the legislation. The Commission is supervised by Halyna Yanchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy. The European Business Association thanks the representatives of the Verkhovna Rada for the constructive dialogue and we hope for further cooperation!     Be the first to learn about the latest EBA news with our Telegram-channel – EBAUkraine.

Yesterday, April 26, the European Business Association met with Dmytro Razumkov, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

When asked about the priorities in the work for 2021, Mr. Razumkov made an emphasis on cooperation with international organizations. He stressed that the Verkhovna Rada will move in the direction of reforms that ensure the further development of the country and its fulfillment of the obligations to key partners.

Besides, the EBA representatives learned from the chairs of the relevant Parliamentary Committees on the current status of a range of draft laws that are significant for business operations.

Thus, Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, expressed support for the position of the European Business Association on total fiscalization and prevention of draft laws № 4468 and № 4490, which provide for non-application of cash registers (RSOs) by certain groups of individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) until they reach a certain amount of income for the calendar year. Such an approach will indirectly enable the non-use of RSOs when trading goods of risk groups, such as technically complex consumer electronics, medicines, etc.

At the beginning of the year, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on the establishment of the Bureau of Economic Security. In addition to this law, draft law 3959-1 is currently being prepared, which, according to Mr. Hetmantsev, is 90% ready for the second reading, although some controversial issues are still being discussed in the Working Group. It was noted that this document will separate the jurisdiction of the BES and other law enforcement agencies. The very fact that the Economic Security Bureau will have the same force as the tax police is of great concern to business representatives. Although, it was informed to the business that according to the law on the BES, the Security Service of Ukraine loses its authority to investigate economic crimes six months after the establishment of the new body. There is also some skepticism in the community about the funding of the new body for the current year, as the corresponding expenditures were not provided for in the state budget. So far, it is planned that the funds allocated for the work of the State Fiscal Service in the amount of UAH 1.5 billion will be redistributed to BES.

When it comes to energy issues, Andriy Gerus, Chairman of the respective Verkhovna Rada Committee, assured the business that draft laws № 2390, № 5139, № 2388 on the settlement of the debt of SE Energorynok will be supported by both the Committee and the Verkhovna Rada. Meanwhile, the draft law on Ukraine’s energy independence will be submitted for public discussion in order to find a consensus between the parties. For their part, EBA representatives noted that the difference of positions is normal, therefore it is necessary to have an important constructive dialogue. So, the community invited Andriy Gerus to a meeting, and he accepted that invitation. Therefore, we hope to have an opportunity to discuss with him promptly the topical problems in the sector.

Dmytro Natalukha, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development, informed about the polar views among right holders regarding draft law №4537 on the creation of a more transparent and fair system of copyright fees charged from equipment for private copying and reprographic reproduction. Also, the draft law was concluded by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on European Integration as one that does not meet the norms of the European Union. Therefore, a Working Group will most likely be set up to discuss the positions of all stakeholders and develop a compromise solution. Mr. Natalukha also spoke about the situation with draft law №4185 on the possibility of issuing electronic guarantees for household appliances. The draft law was recommended by the Committee for submission to the first reading, as well as its possible inclusion in the next extraordinary session. At the same time, the draft law contradicts the CMU Resolution №506, which allows the issuance of warranty cards only in paper form. However, Mr. Natalukha said that appropriate consultations would be held with the Government to resolve the conflict.

Oleh Bondarenko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, emphasized that 90% of the European Business Association’s comments were taken into account when finalizing the first reading of draft law №4167 on industrial pollution. He also stressed the importance of adopting draft law № 3091 on state environmental control, which provides for the abolition of environmental inspection in its current form and the creation of a new structure that will guarantee a horizontal reform of environmental control.

Regarding draft law № 2289 on unblocking the import of PPPs, Mykola Solskyi, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, informed that the document is currently in line for voting in the second reading. He noted that it will be considered after the work on the draft law on the land market is completed.

Mykhailo Radutsky, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Care, and Health Insurance, emphasized once again that compromise decisions with business will be adopted in draft law № 4358 before the second reading. At the same time, the text of the document already contains some proposals of the Association, namely, extending the transition period to 30 months and temporary removal of the norm on advertising for tobacco products. As for the Track & Trace system, Mr. Radutsky stated that he did not see any monopoly risks in it.

During the meeting, there was also a presentation of the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Protection of Investors’ Rights and the results for the first ten months of its work. The Commission’s main goal is to provide immediate help to businesses and resolve complaints from companies by adopting the necessary changes to the legislation. The Commission is supervised by Halyna Yanchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy.

The European Business Association thanks the representatives of the Verkhovna Rada for the constructive dialogue and we hope for further cooperation!

Be the first to learn about the latest EBA news with our Telegram-channel – EBAUkraine.