EU candidate status to boost Ukrainian economy, send positive message to investors - AmCham Ukraine president

MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax) - Granting European Union candidate country status to Ukraine would put Ukrainian GDP growth onto a different trajectory and send a positive message to investors, Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine), said in an interview with Ukrainian journalists.

"EU candidate status would provide an impetus to a new trajectory of GDP growth, at the same time offering huge moral inspiration for post-crisis economic transformation and reform implementation. This step sends a positive message to investors that Ukraine is moving in the right direction," Hunder said.

Transparent businesses would see Ukraine as a priority area for post-crisis investments, he said.

If the EU countries grant Ukraine candidate status, it will do its utmost within the shortest possible time to carry out all the necessary reforms, particularly as concerns building a robust and efficient judicial system, promoting the rule of law, and establishing equal rules of the game for the business community, Hunder said.

"We will see a comprehensive approach toward building a strong state and competitive economy," he said.

Advancing EU membership through integrating national law on competition, customs regulation, healthcare, intellectual property rights protection, media, and other aspects with EU law is among the key priorities for companies that are members of AmCham Ukraine in the process of Ukraine's post-crisis economic reconstruction, he said.