Volodymyr Groysman pledges Government to shortly offer to Parliament a package of privatization bills

The Government is gearing up to submit to the Parliament a package of draft laws enabling to trigger massive privatization aimed to leverage new investment flows and boost the economy. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on air of 24 Channel.

"I need a package of efficient solutions. We are preparing with a team of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, a team of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers, Reforms Delivery Office under the Prime Minister laws allowing us to sell objects [of state ownership] through the ProZorro”, said Volodymyr Groysman. “We will, together with a package of crucial reforms, offer also amendments to the law on privatization. I would like till the end [of the sixth session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of VIII convocation) to submit to the Parliament, and even to have something voted."

He stressed that in case of the decisions approval "the year of 2017 will be a breakthrough" in terms of launching privatization process. He added that in Ukraine there are enumerated about 3.5 thousand companies, half of which are in default, and only 30% are profitable, while the rest "being plagued".

"Over the past decade, inefficient state-owned enterprises have inflicted damage to the tune of UAH 82. It's a disaster. They must be sold through competition. Open sale of ineffectively used state-owned enterprises, while strategic enterprises should remain in ownership of the State. It is possible to manage hundreds, but it’s unreal to manage thousands [enterprises]", said Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister also considers it necessary to hire advisors – specialists of global frame who are capable to ensure preparation of any object for privatization in such a way that the state could get the highest possible return.

"Why is this tender necessary? This means new investment in the economy, new jobs, a competitive Ukrainian product. This is what I strive for. This means economic growth. It is complete modernization of the country, it is renewal of the country, it is major overhaul of the country, it means pensions for Ukrainian seniors, and wages for Ukrainian citizens", underscored Volodymyr Groysman.