Ukrainian employers present business priorities for sustained growth

(ILO-Budapest) In the launching event held on 13 November 2017 in Kyiv, Assistant Director General and Regional Director Koller stated that enterprise development for creating more and better jobs is a key priority of the current ILO Decent Country Work Program for Ukraine which is the main framework for ILO’s support to the country. The President of the Federation Oliynyk pointed out that an enabling environment is of key importance for businesses as there is limited value in promoting enterprise development for the creation of more and quality jobs under hostile conditions. This is especially relevant for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are often hit harder by an inconducive environment than larger enterprises.

Key recommendations of the Employers’ reform plan called „Business Priorities for Sustained Growth” include:

• Export promotion through improved compliance with EU technical norms and standards, simplification of customs procedures as well as market driven solutions for export financing.
• Improving the rule of law such as protection of copy right, respecting bankruptcy laws, and reducing corruption.
• Demand-driven entrepreneurship services to be provided through the Centers for Entrepreneurship Development belonging to the state employment offices.

Vice Prime Minister Rozenko stated that the government will continue its efforts to create an enabling environment contributing to higher economic growth, more and better jobs, and a reduction of informality.
The study on the obstacles to an enabling environment for enterprises in Ukraine came out in September identifying 7 major risks that hinder business growth among them volatile and inconsistent legal framework, high corruption, and lack of entrepreneurship culture.