PM met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker

On Thursday, June 16, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.

During the meeting Volodymyr Groysman discussed the possibilities of enhancing cooperation to ensure financial stability in Ukraine and attract investment.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine thanked the United States for the support to Ukraine. He also noted the leading role of the Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Commerce in support of reforms in Ukraine. The Prime Minister reminded that the United States decided to allocate Ukraine the $ 1 billion loan guarantees.

The Prime Minister reiterated the irreversibility of Ukraine's reforms. "The Government is committed to carrying out necessary changes in order to lead Ukraine from the current difficult situation," he stressed.

In particular, the Government's key priorities are macroeconomic stability and creation of the conditions for economic growth, said Volodymyr Groysman. The Government is also making efforts to reform the public sector, he said.

The Prime Minister noted that Ukraine and the United States have a significant potential for developing economic cooperation.

The key issue of the dialogue with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker was the question of opportunities for attracting American investment in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Groysman said that the Government has set a priority to improve the business climate in Ukraine. So, soon an investment support office under the Prime Minister will be created. A Head of the Office will be an advisor to the Prime Minister, indicating the importance of the involvement of the Government in attracting investment in Ukraine. In this context, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the US experience in the creation of such institutions.

The parties also discussed obstacles on the way of Ukraine's cooperation with the US business and agreed positions to address them.

"We are interested in successful investment. Successful functioning of business means a successful Ukraine, otherwise no success for Ukraine. We clearly understand this," Volodymyr Groysman emphasized.

Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker handed over to the Head of Ukrainian Government a roadmap, work on which was initiated by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and which was developed in cooperation with Ukrainian specialists, aimed at improving the business environment and business climate in Ukraine.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Volodymyr Groysman separately discussed the issue of the Ukrainian banking system and possible measures to ensure financial stability in the country.

The Prime Minister informed his interlocutors about the steps taken by the Government over the time of its activity. Amidst the steps undertaken were the introduction of market gas price, pharmaceutical market demonopolization, the beginning of public privatization and change of the corrupt management of state enterprises, improving the system of public procurement, start of civil service reform, Ukrainian customs reform and further deregulation. In particular, till July 1, it will be eliminated a range of regulatory inspections, and from August 15 - the electronic declaration of civil servants will be established, said Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister informed that the technical mission of the International Monetary Fund visited Ukraine in May. The Government continues cooperation with the IMF, the Prime Minister pointed out.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker welcomed further cooperation with the IMF. They appreciated the Government's first actions aimed at rooting out corruption in various areas and implementing necessary changes, as well as confirmed their readiness to support Ukraine on its path of reform.