Ukraine working on trade liberalization

MOSCOW. June 17 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian delegation held around 20 bilateral talks on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, discussing the possibility of liberalizing trade and lifting existing barriers, including in the trade in agricultural products, Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative Taras Kachka said.

"The main conclusion is that the world believes in Ukraine and is ready to open markets to Ukrainian goods," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Kachka as saying on social media.

Ukraine has asked the European Free Trade Association, which comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, to update the free trade agreement, and Ukraine's request to this effect will be reviewed by the association next week, he said.

Kachka said that Canadian Minister of Trade Mary Ng and he had discussed further steps to liberalize trade, laying the groundwork for that right at the conference.

The Ukrainian trade representative also said that he had agreed with Australia's minister of trade to get in touch several days after the conference to discuss in detail the possibility of liberating bilateral trade (GSP and FTA).

Kachka said that UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan and he had discussed the possibility of signing a treaty on digital trade.

"The same issue - trade liberalization and digital trade - was also relevant in a conversation with the trade minister of Singapore. Singapore is ready to become a hub for trade in Ukrainian products with Asia," Kachka said.

According to Kachka, he emphasized during a meeting with Senegal's trade minister that Ukraine will do all it can to increase exports and to provide enough food supplies to Africa.

"Senegal chairs the African Union this year, and their understanding of the true reasons behind food supply problems is highly important," he said.