Statement by Ukrainian business communities on the non-appointment of the Director of the Economic Security Bureau 

08/ 07/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   Ukrainian business, represented here by the largest business associations in the country, is deeply concerned by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine’s decision not to appoint the winner of the transparent selection process as Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine. The reform and relaunch of the Economic Security Bureau has remained one of the key demands of both Ukrainian businesses and international partners and investors for the past three years. Unlawful pressure on businesses by law enforcement, reminiscent of the notorious “tax police,” continues to be a major factor undermining Ukraine’s investment appeal. As a result, it limits productivity, state budget revenues, real wages, employment, and more. The commitment to eliminate this problem has been voiced repeatedly by the President of Ukraine and enshrined in agreements with international financial institutions. In the fourth year of full-scale war, amid economic decline, severe financial shortages, urgent needs to invest in the defence sector, and the pressing necessity to preserve jobs and social cohesion, such a breach of commitments will negatively affect investment decisions by Ukrainian entrepreneurs and their international partners, as well as the stance of foreign governments and international organisations toward Ukraine. Wartime must be a period of radical improvements in the rule of law and business climate. Otherwise, there is a significant risk that the economy will be unable to sustain the countrys resilience and survival. We call on the Government of Ukraine to reconsider its decision and appoint the candidate selected by the Commission for the Selection of the Director of the Economic Security Bureau. Such a step would send a strong signal to all stakeholders of Ukraine’s commitment to the rule of law and its international obligations. Signed by: European Business Association Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine International Business Community Board Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Club Ukraine Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs – SUP NGO Association of Private Employers Ukrainian Union of Lessors Association Franchise Association NGO ‘Entrepreneurial platform “Diy” Jewellers’ National Retail Trade Organisation Business Council of Ternopil Region Ukrainian Union of Lessors Association

Ukrainian business, represented here by the largest business associations in the country, is deeply concerned by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine’s decision not to appoint the winner of the transparent selection process as Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine.

The reform and relaunch of the Economic Security Bureau has remained one of the key demands of both Ukrainian businesses and international partners and investors for the past three years. Unlawful pressure on businesses by law enforcement, reminiscent of the notorious “tax police,” continues to be a major factor undermining Ukraine’s investment appeal. As a result, it limits productivity, state budget revenues, real wages, employment, and more. The commitment to eliminate this problem has been voiced repeatedly by the President of Ukraine and enshrined in agreements with international financial institutions.

In the fourth year of full-scale war, amid economic decline, severe financial shortages, urgent needs to invest in the defence sector, and the pressing necessity to preserve jobs and social cohesion, such a breach of commitments will negatively affect investment decisions by Ukrainian entrepreneurs and their international partners, as well as the stance of foreign governments and international organisations toward Ukraine.

Wartime must be a period of radical improvements in the rule of law and business climate. Otherwise, there is a significant risk that the economy will be unable to sustain the country’s resilience and survival.

We call on the Government of Ukraine to reconsider its decision and appoint the candidate selected by the Commission for the Selection of the Director of the Economic Security Bureau. Such a step would send a strong signal to all stakeholders of Ukraine’s commitment to the rule of law and its international obligations.

Signed by:

European Business Association

Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine

International Business Community Board

Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

CEO Club Ukraine

Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs – SUP

NGO Association of Private Employers

Ukrainian Union of Lessors Association

Franchise Association

NGO ‘Entrepreneurial platform “Diy” Jewellers’

National Retail Trade Organisation

Business Council of Ternopil Region

Ukrainian Union of Lessors Association