On December 21, the first open meeting of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) with the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Hrytsak took place. The meeting was a continuation of the work of the Union in the field of protection of Ukrainian entrepreneurs from unlawful actions by the law enforcement agencies.
The Head of the SBU of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak stated that the Service is interested in developing business and building transparent relations with the business community, is set up for an open dialogue and is ready for cooperation.
An unprecedented document was signed at the event – a Memorandum of cooperation in the field of business protection between the SUP and the Security Service of Ukraine.
“For the first time in the history of modern Ukraine, a document was signed on cooperation between the SBU and representatives of Ukrainian business. This memorandum demonstrates the openness of law enforcement agencies and their willingness to dialogue, because a few years ago, today’s event would have been impossible,” – Vyacheslav Klymov, President of the SUP, co-owner of Nova Poshta, stated.
“We are pleased that the association of Ukrainian entrepreneurs becomes the driving force in these communications.”
The purpose of the memorandum is to ensure transparency of the activities of the Security Service of Ukraine and to prevent the disproportion in the volume of procedural measures taken, violations of the procedure for conducting searches and violations of legal rights of business entities/entrepreneurs in Ukraine.
Participants of the meeting also discussed the following issues: mechanisms to counteract smuggling and “gray” imports, cyber security, the adoption and implementation of new laws, including the famous “Masks Show Stop” law, which was recently signed by the President of Ukraine and aimed at reducing abuses by the law enforcement officers.
Algirdas Šemeta, the Business Ombudsman of Ukraine, also attended the meeting. Mr. Šemeta shared the statistics of the Council of the Business Ombudsman. According to Mr. Šemeta, in 2017, in the total number of complaints against the illegal actions by the law enforcement and controlling bodies, complaints against the SBU amounted to 14%, which is the smallest percentage, compared with complaints against the fiscal service – 28%, the prosecutor’s office – 28%, and the National Police – 22%.
These results are confirmed by a study of the vibes of small and medium-sized businesses conducted by the SUP in November 2017.
“According to the survey results, only 26% of the respondents indicated that the growth of their business is restrained by the pressure from the law enforcement agencies. We see this as a positive trend, because the pressure from the law enforcement agencies is no longer a key problem for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. I hope that after the signing of the memorandum, the dialogue between business and the Security Service of Ukraine will take place on an equal footing, will be constructive and transparent,” – Vyacheslav Klymov summed up.
The SUP and the SBU agreed on further cooperation and holding regular working meetings.
