‘Economy.NOW’ members meet IMF officials to debate on reforms in force
08 November 2019, 13:00
Members of the “Economy.NOW” inter-factorial association, led by co-chairs Olha Bielkova and Yaroslav Zhelezniak, met with representatives of the International Monetary Fund in Ukraine and discussed priorities of the ongoing economic reforms.
The association was also represented by a representative of the VRU economic development committee Roksolana Pidlasa, a member of the VRU energy committee Andrii Zhupanin, and a member of the VRU tax committee Andrii Nikolaienko.
The IMF's primary focus is pointed at changes in the tax system, improvements in tax administration and customs clearance procedures, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Gosta Ljungman stated.
Among the IMF's top priority bills, there are issues of Ukraine’s banking and financial sectors, including two bills already underway – the bill No.2284 on capital markets and derivatives and the bill No.2179 on anti-money laundering practices. In addition, the IMF expects a range of bills regarding reforming the National Securities and Stock Market Commission, the Deposit Guarantee Fund, and introducing the risk management concept in Ukraine’s banking.
The Fund also pays considerable attention to issues of the monetary and anti-corruption policies, the development of the energy and agricultural sectors of Ukraine’s economy, as well as strengthening the role of supervisory boards in state-owned enterprises and the implementation of a genuine judicial reform.
Parliamentarians raised pressing questions on a would-be tax amnesty, the introduction of a withdrawn capital tax, and the basic principles of functioning of the Financial Investigation Bureau. Members of the association were also interested in clarifying the issues on taxation of solo-preneurs, regularizing electricity market tariffs, and capabilities for supporting the industry.
“Cooperation of MPs with international organizations is extremely important. It is parliamentarians who might be effective ambassadors and advocates for progressive and useful ideas, in particular from international partners,” Olha Bielkova explained.