Government preparing measures to support businesses and ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential goods

russian attacks on Ukrainian businesses and civilian infrastructure are escalating rapidly. Acting on the President’s instructions, the Government and the National Security and Defence Council are taking urgent measures to ensure that Ukrainians continue to receive food, medicines and other essential goods without interruption, Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi announced.

“We must respond and stay ahead of the threat,” the Prime Minister said.

According to him, the Government is developing a package of measures in several areas.

First, it is preparing a preferential lending programme that will provide businesses with up to UAH 1 billion in working capital per company or group of companies, with five percentage points of the market interest rate compensated. The funding may be used to purchase goods, among other purposes.

Second, the Government plans to simplify businesses’ access to state-owned assets. Companies will be given priority in leasing properties put up for auction by the State Property Fund. Following each strike on production sites, warehouses or offices, businesses need to find new premises and resume operations quickly.

Third, the Government is addressing business operations during air-raid alerts. It has adopted recommendations reflecting the differentiated alert system so that prolonged alerts do not interrupt the supply of goods to the public.

“If businesses stop operating every time a siren sounds, we lose jobs, tax revenues and the country’s ability to provide people with essential goods. At the same time, the recommendations include mandatory safety requirements. We have given all businesses three months to equip shelters or safe spaces at locations where they provide services,” the Prime Minister said.

These and other measures were discussed in detail at an extended meeting attended by major Ukrainian retailers, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, the State Customs Service, the State Property Fund and other bodies.

“I thank every business owner and team who continues to operate in Ukraine, pay taxes and salaries, and keep the economy running,” Sergii Koretskyi emphasised.