Anna Vynnychenko spoke at the “New Industrialization” Conference, partnered by WinnerLex law firm

On December 11, 2018, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held the conference “New Industrialization: Joint Actions of the Government and Business,” with WinnerLex law firm as a partner.

The conference was attended by high-ranking state officials, including the Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, Acting Head of the State Fiscal Service Oleksandr Vlasov, Business Ombudsman Algirdas Šemeta, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Maksym Nefedov, as well as other government and business representatives.

Managing Partner of WinnerLex law firm Anna Vynnychenko spoke at the Gala Session titled “Ukraine 2019: The Image of Economic Growth. Industry, Innovation, Finance, Export,” delivering a report on “Government Actions to Protect Business Rights from Unlawful Actions by Law Enforcement Agencies: A Business Perspective.” During the speech, problematic issues were highlighted, particularly those overlooked by the “Mask-Show Stop” laws. These included the possibility of seizing equipment if access is password-protected, vague grounds for conducting searches that allow for the broad issuance of search warrants, which, moreover, are not contested, and the continuation of “mask shows” against businesses despite legal restrictions.

In addition to improving legislation, there is a clear need to change the overall approach to business. This requires a comprehensive approach, striking a reasonable balance between the lawful exercise of law enforcement powers on one hand and the safe functioning of business with transparent rules for the development of Ukraine’s investment attractiveness on the other.

In 1953, when the head of General Motors, who was being considered for the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense, was asked, “Whose interests will you defend – those of the United States or General Motors?” he gave a historic answer: “What’s good for General Motors is good for the U.S. And vice versa.” When applied to modern Ukrainian realities, such an approach would also be appropriate. The fewer unpredictable discretionary powers law enforcement agencies have, the stronger and more attractive Ukraine will be for doing business.