Advocacy «achievements» of the week

15/ 05/ 2021

The week after the May holidays turned out to be less productive for the EBA business community than usual in the context of positive news from government agencies. Thus, there was only one progress made in the consumer electronics industry. Namely, it was the publication of the draft decision of the NCCIR on amendments to the rules for the provision of information to consumers by radio equipment manufacturers, which was developed with the participation of experts from the European Business Association. However, negative news prevailed this weeks news line. The business was disappointed with the Governments decision to introduce temporary state regulation of retail prices for A-92, A-95 gasoline, and diesel fuel sold at gas stations. According to the European Business Association, such a decision is unacceptable and will contribute to even greater shadowing of the market. The Association appeals to the Cabinet of Ministers to cancel the adopted Resolution and not to allow the introduction of a limited trade margin on fuel. Besides, it was an unpleasant surprise to know that the Verkhovna Rada Eco Committee recommended the adoption of draft laws №3091 on the reform of state environmental control and №4167 on the integrated permit in the field of industrial pollution in the first reading. In March, the EBA already drew attention to the numerous shortcomings of these documents, but the vast majority of business comments were not taken into account. We consider it premature to bring these drafts into the Parliament and we hope that the decision of the peoples deputies will be reasonable. Finally, the business community was confounded by the news of the possible resignation of the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture – Mr. Ihor Petrashko and the Minister of Infrastructure – Mr. Vladislav Krykliy, as well as the possible dismissal of the Minister of Health – Mr. Maksim Stepanov. The business community hopes that staff reshuffles in the Government will not affect the work of these extremely important institutions. The European Business Association hopes that next week this trend will change, and the community will see only positive changes and decisions from government agencies that make doing business easier, not more difficult.

However, negative news prevailed this week’s news line. The business was disappointed with the Government’s decision to introduce temporary state regulation of retail prices for A-92, A-95 gasoline, and diesel fuel sold at gas stations. According to the European Business Association, such a decision is unacceptable and will contribute to even greater shadowing of the market. The Association appeals to the Cabinet of Ministers to cancel the adopted Resolution and not to allow the introduction of a limited trade margin on fuel.

Besides, it was an unpleasant surprise to know that the Verkhovna Rada Eco Committee recommended the adoption of draft laws №3091 on the reform of state environmental control and №4167 on the integrated permit in the field of industrial pollution in the first reading. In March, the EBA already drew attention to the numerous shortcomings of these documents, but the vast majority of business comments were not taken into account. We consider it premature to bring these drafts into the Parliament and we hope that the decision of the people’s deputies will be reasonable.

Finally, the business community was confounded by the news of the possible resignation of the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture – Mr. Ihor Petrashko and the Minister of Infrastructure – Mr. Vladislav Krykliy, as well as the possible dismissal of the Minister of Health – Mr. Maksim Stepanov. The business community hopes that staff reshuffles in the Government will not affect the work of these extremely important institutions.

The European Business Association hopes that next week this trend will change, and the community will see only positive changes and decisions from government agencies that make doing business easier, not more difficult.