Supporting business is a matter of both short-term and long-term plans of the Government, as the economic sector is also part of Ukraine's military security. Therefore, strengthening the economy, the ability to adapt to the challenges of the time, will determine the defence capability of our country and the further security situation after our victory.

This opinion was expressed by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, on 27 September during a discussion panel at the VIII Conductors of Changes Forum, which gathered business and government officials.

The First Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the Government was aware of the needs of business and was working to address them – in terms of deregulation, privatisation, reducing pressure on business and improving access to finance.

"Business has a unique opportunity to engage more quickly in the processes of politics and state-building. This is a historic moment. I am convinced that our strength is in unity, so I suggest that business actively participate in the development of the economic strategy," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The participants of the economic panel discussed the role of the state, business, local authorities and society in general in formulating and implementing economic policy priorities, European integration, the EU investment resource and the opportunities it opens up for Ukrainian entrepreneurs, security issues and the role of the military-industrial complex in the Ukrainian economy, etc.

"As for the long-term perspective, the forecasts may change, but all the competitive advantages we had before the war and which we demonstrated during the war should serve as the basis for our future economic strategy. After the victory, we will definitely continue to develop the military-tech industry and the military-industrial complex. This can be an export position and an anchor of economic development. Also, the agro-industrial complex with a focus on processing, which generates export revenues, energy, transport, logistics, IT, construction and critical materials are the areas in which we are competitive and which are in the focus of the Government," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Answering the question about the extent to which Ukraine is ready to meet the requirements and regulations of the EU, the First Deputy Prime Minister noted that EU norms are norms for developed economies.

"Therefore, our goal is to develop more rapidly to be competitive in the European market. This requires extraordinary solutions that do not always fit into the norms of directives and regulations. At the same time, it is important for us that the implementation of these acts meets the interests of Ukrainian business and the development of the Ukrainian economy," emphasized Yuliia Svyrydenko.