EBA Meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili, Head of the Executive Committee of the National Reforms Council of Ukraine

26/ 05/ 2020

Yesterday, May 25, the European Business Association held a General Meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili, Head of the Executive Committee of the National Reforms Council of Ukraine. During the hour-long conversation, we were discussing with Mr. Saakashvili his first steps in the new position and his priorities to foster reforms in Ukraine. There was a discussion of the changes that the National Reforms Council plans to introduce. Thus, the National Reforms Council will be focused on customs reform, large-scale deregulation, and reform of the justice system in Ukraine. Customs reforms are aimed at significantly increasing the efficiency of customs authorities. This includes the establishment of unimpeded conditions for transparent businesses, the reduction of documents needed for registration, and automatization of the customs services. Regarding the tax reform, Mr Saakashvili plans to resume the introduction of a withholding tax, as well as to gradually reduce the tax burden in the long run. The EBA member companies also addressed Mr. Saakashvili with comments on the work of regulatory authorities, the eradication of corruption, the introduction of structural changes in energy, infrastructure, health care, the banking sector, and the measures to support small businesses. Mr. Saakashvili also plans to hold a hackathon with the participation of the President and business associations in the near future. The President and business representatives will spend several hours on intense brainstorming of reform ideas, followed by the meeting of the National Reforms Council and further processing of proposals. The EBA member companies are ready to join and provide their expertise for the Executive Committee working groups which list of activities should be published soon. Also, we will raise the appeals and comments not voiced during yesterday’s discussion on the next meetings with Mr. Saakashvili and his team. Besides, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the discussion!

Yesterday, May 25, the European Business Association held a General Meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili, Head of the Executive Committee of the National Reforms Council of Ukraine. During the hour-long conversation, we were discussing with Mr. Saakashvili his first steps in the new position and his priorities to foster reforms in Ukraine.

There was a discussion of the changes that the National Reforms Council plans to introduce. Thus, the National Reforms Council will be focused on customs reform, large-scale deregulation, and reform of the justice system in Ukraine. Customs reforms are aimed at significantly increasing the efficiency of customs authorities. This includes the establishment of unimpeded conditions for transparent businesses, the reduction of documents needed for registration, and automatization of the customs services. Regarding the tax reform, Mr Saakashvili plans to resume the introduction of a withholding tax, as well as to gradually reduce the tax burden in the long run. The EBA member companies also addressed Mr. Saakashvili with comments on the work of regulatory authorities, the eradication of corruption, the introduction of structural changes in energy, infrastructure, health care, the banking sector, and the measures to support small businesses.

Mr. Saakashvili also plans to hold a hackathon with the participation of the President and business associations in the near future. The President and business representatives will spend several hours on intense brainstorming of reform ideas, followed by the meeting of the National Reforms Council and further processing of proposals.

The EBA member companies are ready to join and provide their expertise for the Executive Committee working groups which list of activities should be published soon. Also, we will raise the appeals and comments not voiced during yesterday’s discussion on the next meetings with Mr. Saakashvili and his team. Besides, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the discussion!