Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met on Tuesday with heads of French companies in Ukraine and discussed lines to facilitate making business in Ukraine and create favorable conditions for attracting investment into the country.

The meeting took place on the eve of the French-Ukrainian business forum in Paris due to be held in the framework of the working visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine to France on 27-28 October.

"In the times of Ukraine’s transformation [businesses] are facing unusual problems. But an objective of the Government is to remove these problems from the agenda and to do everything to ensure your investments, your businesses be successful", stressed the Head of Government, appealing to representatives of major French companies.

The Government is eager to remove obstacles for entrepreneurs at the Ukrainian customs, on the part of tax and other controlling authorities, stressed the Prime Minister.

According to him, the ambitious goal for the Government - to restore economic growth - is impossible without comfortable investment and business environment in the country.

In this direction the Government is taking necessary measures. Hence, regular meetings with businessmen are held.

"It's very important for me to understand what is the real situation, what are your problems, successes, where you need support from the state and where the state should become a reliable partner for investment coming to Ukraine", emphasized Volodymyr Groysman.

Tomorrow the Government is to decide to establish a special Investment Support Office, which was designed to become a kind of ‘entry point’ for investment and will be tasked with accompanying firstly large and medium investment projects in Ukraine and monitoring the business environment, informed the Prime Minister.

"We are ready to bear the commitment to support and accompany your investment projects "turnkey". It will be our objective", he said.

Volodymyr Groysman positively evaluated contribution of the French business community in the development of the national economy and bilateral relations. However, he noted that the potential for trade and economic cooperation of Ukraine and France far exceeds the real state of affairs.

The Prime Minister expressed his belief in the success and effectiveness of the Ukrainian-French business forum due in late October in Paris.

"Over the past six months, we have made clear signals: we want you to succeed, and we are ready to work for you. You have to work for your companies and our country, and we are ready to work for you. We are ready to follow this path. The situation will change and we will solve the problems we are facing", promised Volodymyr Groysman.

In communication with members of the Ukrainian Government the leaders of French companies outlined principal problems hampering the activities of foreign companies in Ukraine and leveraging new investment.

They noted positive changes in the business climate in Ukraine. In particular, the heads of French companies noted that over the past few months there has been observed foreign investment inflows to Ukraine. Also, according to them, during the last three months the situation with VAT refund has improved in Ukraine.

Responding to a question of the Prime Minister, Country Chair & General Manager of Sanofi Ukraine Guilhem Granier noted that in Ukraine in recent time there had been significantly simplified the procedure for registration of medicines.

In turn, President of the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Thomas Moreau following the meeting noted that such discussion with the French business on the level of the Prime Minister was taking place for the first time.

"This is the specifics we were looking for. We are planning to prolong our work here in the future, and it is these meetings, this tone, this message we need, we must understand that the situation is changing", said Thomas Moreau.

He also noted that over the past time the investment climate was being improved in Ukraine, in particular, in the case of VAT refunds, deregulation and decentralization.

"Many companies could not obtain this compensation for many years. When Mr. Groysman assumed the office of Prime Minister, this problem was solved in a few months. No matter large sums for large companies or small sums for small companies - the problem was solved, and this is one of those indicators that prove the situation is really changing for better. Moreover, reforms in different sectors, namely deregulation, and decentralization. It all works. Of course, we always want more. But, definitely, the changes are underway", said President of the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.