During a working trip to the Chernihiv region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with business representatives the problems that concern entrepreneurs.
"I have just received the book "Chernihiv - the City of Legends" as a gift. We are here to make Chernihiv not only a city of legends, but also a city of reality," the Head of State said, starting the dialogue.
He called on local entrepreneurs to tell how the state can help the businesses of the Chernihiv region.
Business representatives complained about the high special import duty in the amount of 18% on raw materials, which increases the cost of production.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Ihor Petrashko to resolve this issue.
"The Ministry of Economy generalized this issue - it was a mistake. No need to generalize. This duty should be abolished. The solution to this issue is clear, and we will do it," the President said.
Representatives of the light industry stressed that the most important thing for their industry is to save jobs. But the domestic market of Ukraine, where consumption reaches at least 170 billion hryvnias, is now filled with smuggling and second hand goods, and the share of domestic producers is 15-20%.
Entrepreneurs called on the authorities to give priority to Ukrainian manufacturers in the procurement of individual protection means. The President of Ukraine personally controlled this issue. He noted that the State Enterprise "Medical Procurement of Ukraine" will soon begin purchasing personal protective means primarily from Ukrainian manufacturers.
The Head of State explained that since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, due to the complete lack of personal protective means in Ukrainian hospitals and pharmacies, it was decided to purchase medical products abroad through a special fund. But when the purchase of medicines was transferred to the Ministry of Health, the priority was given to national manufacturers.
"The Ministry of Health has the main task: to meet with domestic producers who had to refocus their production and work primarily with our producers," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
Representatives of the agricultural business asked for affordable loans, assistance in increasing exports, improving logistics in the domestic market etc.
