Conference of the Western region “How to survive a business? Problems to be solved” was held on October 4 in Lviv. It was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Business Council, the Lviv Regional Military Administration, the Development Agency of the Lviv Region, the Lviv Customs, the State Property Fund of Ukraine, the State Property Department of the Lviv Region, ARMA, businesses from the western regions of Ukraine, business associations of the western region: VGO APPU; ZO EBA, TPP, Lviv Employers’ Organization, USPP, Ukrainian Women’s Business Chamber, Agrarian Chamber of Lviv Oblast, deputies of local councils and leading analytical centers.
At the conference, issues that concern Ukrainian business were discussed, in particular, the liberalization of tax policy, corruption, fraud, unscrupulous partners and low-quality tenders, the responsibility of managers in serving subpoenas, compensation for losses caused by hostilities to small and medium-sized businesses, etc.
“Last year we talked about problems and pain points of business. This year we are once again debating under conditions of war. What has changed for business over the year? Did they take less bribes? No. Has there been less pressure from law enforcement agencies on business? No. Business says that, on the contrary, the pressure has increased. Have we changed the law to make business easier? No. After the military, it is business that feels the war better than anyone else. If there is no Ukrainian business, then those who are at the front will not be able to do anything,” said Grigol Katamadze, president of the Association of Taxpayers of Ukraine.
The state of implementation of the TOP-10 priorities of Ukrainian business, formed in 2022, was also discussed at the conference.
“A small part of the items on this list has already been adopted at the legislative level, only close. This is not enough. It is necessary to reduce the burden on the wage fund. Before the war and now we are talking about the fact that the tax burden should be set at the level of 25%. For this, several taxes should be combined. Such steps will give the business the opportunity to actively develop. Entrepreneurs will be able to hire more people, expand production. We understand that it will be very difficult now. But it is necessary to adopt all the developments of the business in order, firstly, to reduce its outflow abroad, and secondly, to create conditions for its return to Ukraine. To this end, we must now at least adopt all these business developments at the legislative level and prescribe that they will come into effect six months after the end of the war,” Grigol Katamadze emphasized.
According to Oleg Hetman, an economist and analyst of the Economic Expert Platform, this year the authorities implemented only 20% of the TOP-10 items of Ukrainian business priorities. However, the work continues. In particular, the following measures have been partially or fully implemented: the introduction of effective compensation mechanisms for lost property, transparent privatization, reform of the judicial system, important draft laws on restarting the BEB, DPS, DMS, etc. have been registered by the deputies. Among the items that have not yet been implemented, Oleg Hetman mentioned the establishment of a systemic inclusive dialogue between the government and business and the reform of the tax system.
“You can provide offers that are relevant at this time. All this will be discussed on October 9 at the Forum. It will be attended by key representatives of the authorities, who influence the adoption of these decisions,” he emphasized, addressing the participants of the conference.
Stepan Kuybida, head of the economic policy department of the Lviv Regional State Administration, called Ukrainian business immortal, as it has survived more than one economic crisis, the coronavirus epidemic, and is now surviving in war conditions.
“We understand how important it is in today’s conditions to support business and the steps that have been taken, in particular, in terms of programs implemented at the regional level. One way or another, this issue is being resolved. And in the future, we are ready to respond to your requests,” assured the head of the Lviv region.
All proposals developed at regional conferences in Lviv and other regions of Ukraine will be announced in Kyiv on October 9 at the Forum “Dialogue of civil society, business and government: Course for the Restoration of Ukraine.” The event is organized by the Ukrainian Business Council, which includes 110 business associations from various sectors of the economy, with the assistance of CIPE. The discussion will take place with the participation of representatives of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.