Ukrainian Business Council’s Advocacy for Price Transparency Law Advances Anti-corruption Agenda

Yelyzaveta Aleksiiuk, Nataliia Zhuhai

The Ukrainian Business Council (UBC), a CIPE partner, succeeded in advocating for a law on price transparency for military supplies, which was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 21, 2023. The law mandates the publication of prices for military and other supplies procured by defense customers in ProZorro, a globally recognized e-procurement platform. The origins of this law stemmed from a procurement scandal in the Ministry of Defense, and its approval represents a significant step towards stronger anti-corruption efforts and improving Ukraine’s investment climate.

UBC collaborated with the Economic Experts Platform (EEP), various CIPE partners, and anti-corruption organizations in proposing the draft law on February 24, 2023, which received support from Ukraine’s Servant of the People party and other members of parliament. According to Oleh Hetman, an EEP expert, the above-mentioned organizations came up with the initiative the very next day after the scandal.

Through tenacity and innovative action, Ukraine’s private sector has found its voice in government discourse related to economic recovery.

Through tenacity and innovative action, Ukraine’s private sector has found its voice in government discourse related to economic recovery as demonstrated by a close collaboration between business and government in managing crises and advancing laws. As an advisor, CIPE’s expertise and engagement with the private sector positions the organization to help rebuild a stronger Ukraine.

Over the last 30 years, CIPE has worked with Ukrainian businesses to help them come together and adopt a strong united voice. For instance, UBC was created specifically to advocate for a business-driven agenda. Today UBC is the largest coalition of 104 leading business associations in Ukraine. Its goal is to consolidate business and implement socially important reforms.

CIPE supports Ukraine’s efforts to become a leading economy and a beacon of democracy across the globe.

CIPE has previously supported the Leadership Academy for Development (LADU), a training program for top-level government officials and business leaders in Ukraine. One of the key co-developers of ProZorro, Oleksandr Starodubtsev, is a 2016 LADU graduate. At the time, he was also a Head of the Department of Public procurement, Ministry of Economic Development. The program, developed by the Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law and implemented together with The School of Public Management of Ukrainian Catholic University, was taken by 141 top-level government officials and business sector leaders from 16 cities of the country.

CIPE supports Ukraine’s efforts to become a leading economy and a beacon of democracy across the globe, and it remains committed to engaging and informing the private sector in achieving this aim.

Published Date: April 03, 2023