Zelensky offered business a “moral contract”
26 February 2024 16:54
On behalf of the state, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a “moral contract” to domestic business. He made the announcement at the Made in Ukraine forum, Kommersant Ukrainian reports 
The President announced the creation of a new economic platform and a new economic policy.
According to him, the current economic challenge is to ensure that as many businesses as possible are able to maintain and scale their operations. To this end, the President instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to develop several practical steps.
Firstly, a ‘ Ukrainian cashback’ programme is being developed:
“When citizens of Ukraine will be able to receive a refund of part of their money on a special card for the purchase of certain types of goods and services made in Ukraine. Our task is to ensure that Ukrainian money stays in Ukraine and works in Ukraine. We are already preparing the parameters of the Ukrainian cashback, both financial and technical. We must try to make this programme work this year.”
Zelenskyy also stated the need to maximise support for military production.
“The barriers that have been discussed for decades must be removed. Typical examples of such a long-lasting negative are long connection to the grid or problems with changing the purpose of land. I have signed a law that simplifies the change of land use designation to attract investment,”
– the President said.
For these measures to succeed, we need a “modern moral contract” between the state and business, Zelenskyy said. This agreement should mean that the state supports business, and business works in a “white” way and does not cooperate with Russia.
“We have to agree on an absolutely modern moral contract between society and business, between the state and business. Entrepreneurship reflects one of the best qualities of a person – the ability to organise… relations with others so that not only you but also others feel more confident in their ‘tomorrow’. The state definitely should not and will not interfere with this. However, the entrepreneurial success of one person should be part of the social success. This is only possible if the business operates cleanly, in a white way, pays taxes… But it does not work in Russia and does not help the war against Ukraine. These are absolutely clear moral rules. Anyone who follows these rules should receive full, complete assistance from the state,”
– zelensky said.
To do this, the Verkhovna Rada must pass a reform that will ensure that the Bureau of Economic Security will cover any opportunities for government agencies to put pressure on business.
In addition, Zelenskyy stressed, the government has developed a number of other mechanisms to help businesses, such as grants, loans, production incentives, etc.
