The FINANCIAL — EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström held talks in Kyiv on 30 September with Ukrainian officials and business representatives on the progress of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
Malmström announced the EU’s readiness to offer further market openings to Ukrainian agricultural and industrial products, on top of what is already offered under the Association Agreement, according to EU Neighbourhood Info.
The European Commission is proposing to increase the quantities of duty-free imports from Ukraine for agricultural products such as honey, cereals and processed tomatoes. This one-way measure would also significantly improve the conditions for Ukrainian exports of fertilisers, footwear, certain metals and electronic equipment.
Commissioner Malmström said: “We hope this can give a positive boost to the Ukrainian economy. Our progress so far is clear, but much work still remains to unleash the full potential of our free trade area.”
Ukrainian exports to the EU increased by 5% in the first months since the Association Agreement came into effect, and the EU has reinforced its position as Ukraine’s biggest trading partner.
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