Chamber Members met with the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie L. Yovanovitch

On 1 November 2016 members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (Chamber) had the chance to meet newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. The event was a perfect opportunity for the Ukrainian business community to welcome the Ambassador and learn more about her views and perspectives.

Opening the meeting, Andy Hunder, Chamber president, expressed his gratitude to U.S. Ambassador Ms. Yovanovitch and her team for being open to the business community and for the ongoing support which the U.S. Embassy in Kiev provides to Chamber member companies.

Speaking to Chamber members, Ambassador Ms. Yovanovitch stressed the need to build a stronger economy. She also discussed the current challenges and opportunities of the Ukrainian business climate, IT sector development, and the importance of the reform agenda, namely reforms in the energy sector, privatization and banking spheres.

Ambassador Ms. Yovanovitch welcomed progress in the implementation of reforms in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing rollback of dividend repatriation by the government, privatization efforts and passage of the On the Energy Regulator Act, which was a crucial step for energy sector reform and compliance with the EU’s Third Energy Package.

The ambassador’s remarks were followed by a lengthy Q&A session, during which issues on customs reform, current challenges in the energy sphere, reform of the court system and Prosecutor-General’s Office, U.S. government support in reform of the Ukrainian transportation system and banking system issues were raised.

As a result of the meeting, the Ambassador reiterated that she and her team are ready and open for cooperation to raise prosperity in Ukraine.