Agro Perspectiva

President meets with representatives of Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions

12.11.2013 18:12 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Today President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych met with representatives of Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions in order to discuss the problems of economic development of the state, President Viktor Yanukovych Press Office reports. «I have read your letters, appeals and proposals. I share your concern over the situation in the country,» Viktor Yanukovych said at the beginning of the meeting. The President noted that the situation in economic and social spheres caused the biggest concern. According to the President, the most urgent situation is in building sphere and mechanical engineering. «Some factories work part-time, salaries are reduced, there is a threat of job losses,» the Head of State stressed. According to Viktor Yanukovych, such situation is inadmissible and requires immediate solution. «We must find the solution. There are various approaches and proposals,» he said. While speaking at the meeting, President of Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Anatoliy Kinakh stressed that national manufacturers were worried about the situation regarding the strategic partnership relations with the Customs Union, particularly Russia. «Today, we feel the threat first of all with regard to our knowledge-based and high-tech industry with high added value — machine building,» he said adding that another important problem was the issue of supply of Ukrainian pipes and confectionery products. «To our mind, consolidated actions are necessary to prevent the enhancement of recession in Ukrainian economy,» A. Kinakh emphasized. According to the President of Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, in order to solve the situation, it is necessary to increase the solvency and dynamics of internal market development and to minimize the dependence of Ukrainian economy on exports. According to Anatoliy Kinakh, it is essential to study the world experience in that case. «The experience of other countries shows that they have overcome crisis due to the powerful measures on the increase of solvency of internal markets and minimization of external factors,» he said. Head of Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions, Yuri Kulyk expressed gratitude to the Head of State for prompt response to the request for the meeting. He stressed that the issues of the biggest concern for the trade unions were the debt repayments of wages, social payments etc. Yuri Kulyk expressed readiness of the Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions to cooperate with the government in the solution of the given issues. In his turn, People’s Deputy Valentyn Landyk told about the problems in the export of products to the CIS-countries. «We have great problems with Russia and Kazakhstan. We export more than 50% products there. That’s why such problems emerged. On Russian market the price for our products became higher by 30–35%,» he said. According to V. Landyk, such situation is caused by the customs policy between Ukraine and Russia regarding the industrial commodities and the rules of the WTO. He stressed that Ukrainian products could become uncompetitive after the signature of the Association Agreement with the EU because the volume of export to the CIS would be limited. «If it is possible, let’s postpone the signature by one year. Give us an opportunity to prepare, to buy the necessary equipment. It is not just my request, it is a request of manufacturers,» he said. President of PJSC «Novokramatorsky machine building plant» Heorhiy Skudar drew attention to the problems in the supply of Ukrainian products to the market of the CIS. «We are speaking about the Association Agreement. No one waits for us there. We were not able to export rolling mill to Germany and the situation will not change. Moreover, unemployment in the mechanical engineering is even tougher there,» he said. According to the President, close cooperation between the Government, Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions should become an efficient mechanism of solution of the given issues. «I will instruct the Government to consider the given issues and elaborate respective proposals. We will coordinate all the proposals and joint actions with you. The Government will keep in touch with you,» the Head of State noted.