KYIV, Apr. 17 (Ukrainian News) – Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko proposed on Tuesday that the president create a new ministry for trade and industry.
“This initiative has been presented [to Kuchma].” Yushchenko said during his presentation to parliament on the government’s work. “I hope that we will conclude consultations in the presidential administration soon, and this ministry will be created,” he added.
In 1999, President Leonid Kuchma abolished the Ministry of Trade and Industry and replaced it with a committee.
Kuchma also abolished the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade and transferred its functions to the Economy Ministry.
Yushchenko is presently under attack from an alliance of Communist and pro-Kuchma parliamentary factions in parliament, which has already initiated a motion of no-confidence in the Yushchenko government.
