A. Sytnyk: We require deep reforms to reduce the corruption pressure on business
Punishing inpiduals will not result into significant improvement of Ukrainian business climate especially accounting for the fact that entrepreneurs feel the corruption pressure from the state bodies. We require tax reform, acceleration of licensing procedures, transparent procurement procedures and deregulation. The NABU Director stated this during the meeting with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (ACC).
“The first criminal proceedings, entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations, demonstrate the catastrophic level of corruption in Ukraine,” the NABU Director pointed out.
He also reminded that on June 15 the NABU in cooperation with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s office revealed the details of the investigation of abuse of office while selling the natural gas produced jointly with PJSC “Ukrgasvydobuvannia”.
“The state has not received 3 billion UAH as a result of this corruption scheme. And thousands of such schemes work in Ukraine. Everyone needs to understand that it is impossible to expose all these schemes simultaneously with only 150 detectives being in NABU’s staff. So reforms and namely reforms play the essential role in fighting corruption in business segment,” Artem Sytnyk emphasized.
Also at the meeting the ACC presented results of the perception study on business corruption. According to the data, 82% of interviewees, who represent international business sphere, think that anti-corruption activities might improve the business climate in Ukraine.
