The European Business Association continuously analyses problems faced by foreign and Ukrainian investors in their day-to-day business activities in Ukraine. For many years, Barriers to Investment in Ukraine has been a part of our ongoing efforts to present suggestions to the Ukrainian authorities for improving the investment climate in Ukraine. 

Each of five editions of the Report (2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006, 2007) reflected the unresolved problems that have hindered investors’ activities in Ukraine and, therefore, have influenced Ukraine’s investment attractiveness as a whole. Each subsequent edition of the Report also included new problems that had emerged since the previous edition, as well as information on positive changes in Ukrainian legislation. 

In 2009 we choose to change the title for our Report as it comes in critical times of financial and political turmoil. “Overcoming Obstacles to Business Success” reveals significant experience and professional insight of the sector-based Committees and Working Groups that vastly contributed to this Report compilation and worked hard to identify and classify issues of major importance to businesses.

Unlike the previous reports, the sixth edition provides not only a range of key issues hindering businesses and investment in Ukraine but updates on current progress in solving problems.

The main objective of the Report is to outline 3-5 top priority measures to be taken under the current economic slowdown to improve business environment for each particular sphere/ industry. Every chapter presents a brief introduction to recent regulatory developments in each particular sphere/industry. The EBA Report aims to display short/mid-tem specific recommendations, goals and plans to be implemented in the nearest future in order to prevent Ukraine’s economy from subsiding.

The examples of urgent questions that European Business Association recommends to solve in order to improve investment climate in Ukraine:

• Customs Valuation;
• Problems with VAT refund;
• Impossibility of protection against unpredictable Currency Exchange Rates;
• Royalty-Related Problems;
• Tax Implications of Currency Exchange Rate Differences.

We are also happy to remark that around 15% of the proposals stated in the EBA 2007 Report, called by Yuliya Tymoshenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, the basic document for the Government in their work on improving investment climate of the country, were completely implemented and 35% were supported during negotiations with different agencies and certain positive steps have already been made.
 
We truly believe that through publishing “Overcoming Obstacles to Business Success” we will make a noticeable contribution to forming an attractive business environment in Ukraine. We will continue advocating and facilitating the introduction and implementation of relevant reforms to help business grow and expand in Ukraine.

Please, click here to download the EBA Report “Overcoming Obstacles to Business Success”.