Prime Minister initiates the creation of a working group for the elaboration of the draft law on the liability of law enforcement officers for unlawful actions against entrepreneurs

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in the framework of the reform of the controlling bodies and ensuring integrity in relations between the state and business, initiated in synergy with the business representatives the formation of a working group designed to work out and submit to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the draft law on the liability of law enforcement officers for unlawful actions, in particular, unwarranted searches at the enterprises. This statement was issued by the Head of Government during the round table "Culture of Integrity - as a driving force of sustainable development" devoted to issues of ethical conduct of business in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Groysman emphasized that unlawfulness triggers arbitrariness, and thereby business complaints constantly against the work of law enforcement and controlling bodies. Meanwhile, integrity must become a norm of conduct for both the government and business. The achievement of this target will become possible due to the elaboration of relevant legal initiatives.

«When entrepreneurs are making mistakes, they always face a responsibility for their actions, why have we not yet brought the responsibility of corrupt officials in uniforms, those who press and create unbearable conditions for business?. This issue must be resolved not by words, but by specific legal decisions. Thus, I initiate the creation of a working group so that within 2-3 weeks (we could elaborate) and submit to the Parliament a bill, which stipulates for the criminal liability of representatives of the controlling bodies for putting excessive pressure on entrepreneurs. The Government has a political will to draft the said bill, emphasized the Prime Minister and called on association, business to send representatives and lawyers in order to shortly elaborate the bill.

He stressed that it is of utmost importance once and for all to put an end to making pressure for the development of business. «We must not only set the requirements for business integrity, but also talk about the integrity of those who control the business», claimed the Prime Minister.

The special emphasis was placed on an export control and the development of criteria for work for exporters. «This issues is completely under the authority of the Government. We are capable to shape open models that will not give anyone opportunities for abuse», underlined the Prime Minister.

In his address to business representatives, Volodymyr Groysman recalled other initiatives kicked off particular, in September - according to decisions approved at a large business meeting with the participation of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the leadership of the Government, representatives of the Parliament and the Prosecutor General's Office. It was then, the Head of Government emphasized, the process of the elaboration of the bill on the Financial Intelligence Service, the draft of which is expected within the next 10 days has begun.

«I gave instructions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the State Fiscal Service and last week the similar decision was approved by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine that seek to eradicate occasions of putting pressure on business as well as creating artificial hurdles. This is a good signal to us that we must retrofit  the culture of relations. And in this issue I am an ally of business and a supporter of the idea of establishing a proper business climate in the country», Volodymyr Groysman underlined.

The Prime Minister noted that the time has come for the formation of sustainable investment climate clear, transparent and favorable. «Ukraine can become one of the strongest economies in the continent. It is vitally important for me to ensure that those who invest in the state economy be successful», he emphasized.