The third session of high-level EU-Ukraine Dialogue on horizontal issues and some sectors of industry co-chaired by First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv and General Director of the European Commission for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Timo Pesonen came to an end on March 13 in Brussels.

In his speech, Stepan Kubiv emphasized the importance of the Dialogue for effective communication and experience exchange between Ukraine and the EU on the ways of modernization and restructuring of the Ukrainian industry, and improvement of the framework conditions for cooperation of our industrial enterprises, in particular SMEs.

“President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko defined industrialization as one of the key vectors of Ukraine’s development in order to continue the transformation of the Ukrainian economy from a raw material-oriented to high-tech innovative industrial model. Over the past three years, we have already held 18 meetings of working groups on cooperation in civil aviation and space research, SME support and reforming of government procurement system, removal of technical barriers, etc. We make every effort to become part of big industrial family of the EU”, said Stepan Kubiv.

The First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine emphasized that the Government continues the radical reforms in Ukraine, which ensured the growth of economic indicators and positions of Ukraine in the Doing Business rating.

“The real GDP of Ukraine has been growing for three consecutive years – in 2018 its growth amounted to 3.2%. Industrial production accelerated the growth up to 1.6% as compared to 0.4% in 2017. For the time being, in Ukraine there are enterprises specializing in the manufacture of electronics and wiring for automobiles intended for export to the EU countries. 75% of electric harnesses for automobiles in Europe are manufactured in Ukraine. Cable networks are supplied to the factories of 11 EU countries, where they are used to complete the models of world brands”, said Stepan Kubiv.

Stepan Kubiv also emphasized the importance to complete necessary procedures for the conclusion of the Agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial goods.

“Due to active interaction within the framework of the Dialogue, we are close to concluding the ACAA Agreement, which is one of the priority directions of the economic bloc of the Association Agreement with the EU, and significantly simplifies for the Ukrainian goods to enter the EU markets”, said Stepan Kubiv.

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In 2016, Ukraine and the EU decided to launch a high-level EU-Ukraine Dialogue on horizontal issues and separate sectors of industry. The main objectives of the dialogue are to help solving the problems faced by the Ukrainian industry, increase trust between business representatives of Ukraine and the EU, and also provide participation in global, European and regional supply chains.