Zelensky assures German business of independence of investments in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with representatives of German large and medium business in Berlin on June 18.
As the press service of the Head of State reports, the event was attended by representatives of companies with an aggregate portfolio of EUR 220 billion.

"This is twice as large as Ukraine’s GDP and about 450,000 jobs," President of the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce Andreas Lier said.

The business representatives hope for the development of cooperation, but this requires an improvement in the investment climate and the adaptation of European standards in Ukraine.

"The investment climate is a priority for us. I understand what the foreign business is afraid of: our law enforcement agencies that put pressure on businessmen, our courts that do not protect them,” the President said.

The Head of State stressed the importance of eliminating the pressure of law enforcement authorities on entrepreneurs as it would be impossible to develop the economy of Ukraine otherwise.

"As the President, I guarantee you the independence of investment, I assure that nobody will put pressure on you. We strive to be a European country," Volodymyr Zelensky added.

According to him, the plans include ensuring the independence of the courts and law enforcement agencies, creating the "electronic customs" and combating smuggling.

"We have a very large package of innovations. It is our “a state in a smartphone” project, which will reduce bureaucratic pressure on people. It is the Presidential Administration that restores the Investment Council. We would like to conduct its session twice a year. And we invite you because the larger presence of foreign business in this council makes it more transparent," the President noted.

The Head of State also confirmed Ukraine's cooperation with the IMF, the World Bank and the EBRD.

"We are launching an agreement with the IMF, we will prepare a new program in July, there will be no default. As the President, I will not influence the courts or the banking system," Volodymyr Zelensky noted.

The meeting participants discussed in detail the cooperation with enterprises in agriculture, food, construction, automobile industries. The President stressed the need to localize the business to create jobs and promised to help with the solution to the overdue bureaucratic problems.

The parties also discussed Ukraine's export opportunities and amendments to legislation that contradict the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.