Ukraine and UK sign digital trade deal

MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko and UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch have signed a digital trade agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

"This is a new-generation trade agreement, which is aimed primarily at preventing any barriers from emerging in the future. For Ukrainian IT companies, maintaining unhindered access to markets is a key condition for further development," Ukrainian media said, citing a statement.

The digital trade deal complements the Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement between the UK and Ukraine and will enter into force after all interstate procedures are finalized.

Ukraine became the second country after Singapore with which the UK signed a digital trade deal, it said.

Sviridenko, in turn, said that the document will provide a groundwork for giving practical content to the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be hosted by London in June of this year, and will help make the UK-Ukraine investment partnership even stronger.

Badenoch, for her part, said that the UK will continue to stand by Ukraine, and that the UK is interested in promoting partnerships between the two countries' businesses, further liberalizing trade and implementing joint projects as part of Ukraine recovery efforts.