Exports of Ukrainian goods to Europe continue to grow. 60% of all goods sold by Ukrainian businesses abroad go to the EU, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a Government meeting on 14 January.
“Last year we exported almost USD 25 billion worth of goods to the EU. This is 6% more than in 2023. One of the important factors of this success was the so-called ‘economic visa-free regime’, when most Ukrainian goods enter the EU without duties, tariffs and quotas,” the Prime Minister said.
Denys Shmyhal stressed that the goal for this year was to maintain access to the EU market at a level no worse than 2024.
“We will discuss with our European partners both the extension of the ‘economic visa-free regime’ and its permanent consolidation through amendments to the Association Agreement,” the Head of Government said.
According to the Prime Minister, this year Ukraine will also discuss the extension of the “transport visa-free regime”, which means that Ukrainian road carriers can operate without special permits.
“Last year, exports by road totalled more than 10 million tonnes worth USD 14.7 billion. This is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and is evidence of the importance of the ‘transport visa-free regime’ for Ukrainian logistics and exports,” said Denys Shmyhal.
According to the Prime Minister, in the near future the Government plans to complete all internal preparations for negotiations on the signing of an “industrial visa-free regime” with the EU.
“There is only one draft law left to be adopted, which we will submit to the Parliament in the near future. After that, we will be able to proceed to the official process of concluding the agreement,” the Head of Government noted.
According to Denys Shmyhal, the “industrial visa-free regime” is a unique tool to support Ukrainian business and integration into the European economy, which provides for mutual recognition of product certification. This will increase export opportunities and reduce bureaucracy and the time required for Ukrainian goods to enter the European market.