Archive 2004

• 07.06.2004

  Setting Regulatory Framework for Municipal Borrowing and Debt in Ukraine

  (Code:T39)

  Presently, high risks associated with local borrowing in Ukraine provide a ground for setting significant (though non-prohibitive) legal restrictions in order to ensure fiscal stability and protection of creditors’ rights.

  Authors:  Vakhnenko Tetyana, Akimova Iryna
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 07.06.2004

  “Administrative increases of the minimum wage – facing the povertyunemployment trade-off”

  (Code:T38)

  The Government of Ukraine currently plans an administrative increase of the minimum wage. While such a measure could yield higher incomes for some of the working poor, the government has to respect the trade-off between poverty alleviation and employment creation.

  Authors:  Bilan Olena, Betliy Oleksandra, Handrich Lars
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 06.06.2004

  Developing the Public Utility Sector in Ukraine: Towards a Concrete Strategy

  (Code:T37)

  Public utilities in Ukraine operate under unreliable economic conditions due to generic failures in the institutional and economic environment. As a consequence, they have accumulated losses and thus failed to attract sufficient investments, which in turn has lead to a serious deterioration of the existing infrastructure. At present, the Verkhovna Rada discusses a reform program aimed at providing a legal basis for improving performance of public utilities.

  Authors:  Pavel Ferdinand, Чухай Анна
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 06.06.2004

  VAT replacement or better administration?

  (Code:Т36)

  VAT revenues in Ukraine are undermined by numerous privileges and low tax compliance due to manipulations and/or outright fraud causing inadequate tax collection and high tax refunds claims.

  Authors:  Френш Річард, Бігдай Віталій, Лещенко Наталія
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 04.06.2004

  Should Foreign Banks be Allowed to Open Branches in Ukraine?

  (Code:T35)

  In contrast to most transition economies, Ukraine does not allow branches of foreign banks to operate in its domestic banking market. The NBU has recently submitted a draft law to parliament, which envisages allowing foreign branch entry.

  Authors:  Sologoub Dimitry, Требеш Крістоф, Джуччі Рікардо
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 04.06.2004

  Comments on the draft Law of Ukraine “On Major Principles of Public Agricultural Policy” prepared by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (received by the Verkhovna Rada on Feb. 5, 2004)

  (Code:Т34)

  The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has drafted a strategy for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural policy up to 2015.

  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 02.05.2004

  Comments on the Draft Law “On supporting the production and development of agricultural markets”

  (Code:Т33)

  This Draft Law is just another attempt to strengthen the legislative base behind the state support of the agricultural sector in Ukraine.

  Authors:  Demyanenko Serhiy, Galushko Victoria
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 01.04.2004

  The Struggle over VAT Refunds for Grain Exports

  (Code:Т32)

  The situation with VAT refunds for grain exporters (wheat, rye, barley) is characterised by considerable uncertainty at the moment. Since the approval of the state budget for 2004, numerous legislative projects have been launched. Among other things, they aimed at restricting the general rule that grain exporters get a full VAT refund when they export grain.

  Authors:  Nivievskyi Oleg, Kuhn Arnim
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 01.04.2004

  Improving Dispute Resolution in Ukraine’s Insurance Sector: Proposal for an Insurance Ombudsman

  (Code:T31)

  Proper mechanisms for dispute resolution are important for the functioning of the insurance sector. In Ukraine, insurance litigation tends to be costly, troublesome and unfair. This is an impediment for the development of the sector.

  Authors:  Требеш Крістоф, Джуччі Рікардо
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group
• 01.04.2004

  Institutional reforms versus selective targeting? Comments on the draft law “On state support of investment and encouraging investment activity” drafted by the Ministry of Economy

  (Code:T30)

  Elements of the institutional framework, i.e., the rules and regulations of the economy and the institutions that enforce them, are the main long-run criteria for private investment decisions.

  Authors:  Френш Річард, Лещенко Наталія
  Tags:  Center of economic research, German advisory group