<\/p>\n
According to the meeting schedule of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for the current week, the draft law \u21161182-1-d is planned to be put to the vote in the second reading on September 4.<\/p>\n
It is worth noting that the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Transport has repeatedly stated publicly that there will be a meeting with the relevant business representatives before the second reading to discuss the most poignant remarks to the draft law.<\/p>\n
Besides, on August 21, 2020, the President of Ukraine stressed that the draft law should be agreed with all parties. Thus, the administration of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions should be involved in the discussion with the relevant business representatives. Also, it is obligatorily for the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Strategic Industries to participate in this discussion.<\/p>\n
Please note that today the text of the draft law has not been approved by business representatives. Moreover, it is unknown which text of the draft law will be put to the vote. Besides, as of today, there were no meetings held based on the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Transport. Also, there were no meetings with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister for Strategic Industries to discuss the text of the draft law submitted for the second reading. Only the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine has shown openness in this matter, and the Association highly appreciates that fact. However, it is not enough in this case given that the draft law is developed by the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Transport.<\/p>\n
We emphasize that the EBA experts have repeatedly sent comments which contain many critical provisions to the draft law so that the relevant proposals will be considered during the preparation of the draft law for the second reading. Besides, we asked to publish a summary comparative table of the draft law for the second reading and stressed on our readiness to provide expert support and participate in the relevant meetings of the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Transport and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n
We remind you that the following three aspects<\/strong> raise the most poignant remarks to the draft law:<\/p>\n Therefore, it is necessary to include these provisions to the draft Law: to predict the percentage of revenues from the excise tax on fuel, which will be deducted for the development of inland waterways; to clearly define the period from which the special fund will start operating, otherwise the current version allows to continue funding inland waterways at the expense of the port fees without any time limits. <\/p>\n\n
\nBusiness is convinced that Ukraine should strive for quality and constructive reforms that create favorable conditions for business, work, and investments. Therefore, the European Business Association calls to fulfill the President’s order – to hold this discussion before the second reading of the draft law, scheduled for September 4, and not to put it to a vote for approval by all parties.<\/p>\n