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Ukraine passes privatisation law needed for IMF aid

Ersin Çelik
16:21 - 18/01/2018 Thursday
Update: 16:29 - 18/01/2018 Thursday
REUTERS
Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman
Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman

Ukrainian lawmakers passed a law on Thursday aimed at making the privatisation of more than 3,000 mostly loss-making state companies faster and more transparent, a step needed for Kiev to secure more aid from the International Monetary Fund.

Privatisation could bolster state coffers and bring in new foreign investors. In 2016, the government's first attempt at big-ticket privatisation fell through when the sale of a fertiliser plant in Odessa failed to attract any bids.

It comes as Ukraine is seeking to reassure investors and foreign backers of its commitment to tackle corruption and modernise the economy. Billions of dollars worth of new IMF loans are held back due to Ukraine's perceived backsliding.

"The largest sector of corruption today is state-owned enterprises, which have been used for decades to create corrupt schemes," Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman told parliament before the vote.

"This law gives us the opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs in the near future in Ukraine, create conditions for serious economic growth," he added.

The government estimates it will generate 21.5 billion hryvnia ($746.79 million) this year from selling state firms once the law is passed.

The law aims to make the privatisation process more transparent and faster for investors. It makes it obligatory, for example, to invite international advisers through a tender process to help prepare sales of larger firms.

The law will allow the state to sell assets at cheaper prices than the starting price of the auction.

If the first sale fails, the price can be cut by 25 percent, then by 50 percent if a second attempt fails, and finally, if the sale falls through a third time, the State Property Fund can hold consultations with potential investors about the price.

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6 years ago