Zelensky: SMEs need export opportunities available to large business

Small and medium-sized enterprises should be given the same opportunities to enter the international market as a large business has.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a corresponding statement at a meeting on accelerating export growth and attracting investment to Ukraine as a guarantee of economic stability, the press service of the Head of State reports.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Deputy Heads of the President's Office Ihor Zhovkva and Yulia Kovaliv, Adviser to the President on the Economy Oleh Ustenko and Secretary of the National Investment Council Levan Varshalomidze.

"I want Ukrainian business to have export opportunities. I want not only big entrepreneurs to enter the international market, but also medium and small businesses, such as a farmer with high-quality products or an entrepreneur with unique production, to get such an opportunity. For them to start exporting and grow into big businesses, to have such motivation," Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized.

As noted, the President supported the reboot of the economic vector of Ukraine's foreign policy initiated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will begin this process by restarting the renewed Council of Exporters and Investors (CEI).

According to Minister Kuleba, close cooperation with Ukrainian exporters and foreign investors will help Ukrainian diplomats focus their efforts abroad on expanding the necessary opportunities and overcoming existing obstacles.

"Today is the best time to implement Ukraine's economic ambitions. To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is launching a qualitatively updated block of trade and investment diplomacy. We will focus on two priorities: supporting Ukrainian exports worldwide and attracting investment to Ukraine. The efforts of Ukrainian diplomats to overcome the economic consequences of the pandemic should become a success story of Ukraine and all Ukrainians. The contribution to strengthening Ukraine's economic security will be one of the indicators of the effectiveness of diplomats' work," Dmytro Kuleba noted.

Zelensky stressed that promoting Ukraine's economic interests in the world, along with guaranteeing national security, should become a key priority of Ukraine’s foreign policy.

“Strengthening the role of Ukraine in the new system of international relations after the coronavirus pandemic should take place through increasing the welfare of Ukrainian citizens, the success of Ukrainian exporters in the world market and attracting foreign direct investment to Ukraine. A strong economy is Ukraine's most reliable defense not only in the context of a hybrid war, but also during the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," the President added.

Yulia Kovaliv and Levan Varshalomidze presented ready-made foreign investment projects, which are in the final stage of approval.

"National security, financial independence, new jobs and innovation are the main areas where we need to attract investment," the Secretary of the National Investment Council said.

Yulia Kovaliv also presented a draft law on so-called investment nannies, which needed revision in view of the situation with the coronavirus pandemic in the world.

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