Ukraine needs a clear state policy aimed at promoting exports and aiding industrial enterprises, US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt said while speaking at the National Forum of Export Support in Kyiv.
He said that cooperation between the state and exporters is needed to improve the business climate in Ukraine.
“When I see the companies represented here, including Metinvest, I understand: Ukraine has the potential to produce world-class goods, Ukraine has world-class companies,” he said.
Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov said in turn that prices for energy and logistics no longer represent the competitive advantage of Ukrainian metallurgy. Despite the high share of costs in hryvnia, the tariffs of natural monopolies continue growing. The rise in tariffs for gas and electricity for the population has not led to the reduction of the burden on industry.
He added that additional problems were created by the growth of railway cargo tariffs. From Jan. 1, 2015 onward they doubled, including a 30 percent rise in February 2015. In April-May this year tariffs are expected to rise by another 25 percent.
