Issues regarding privatization in Ukraine are part of the most serious challenges for the domestic economy, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said at a meeting with major Ukrainian businessmen in Kiev yesterday.

"The policy in the field is unclear, knotty, very non-transparent, and it devalues interest in Ukraine very strongly," President Yushchenko said. The Ukrainian leader also reminded that within 2006 no interesting companies were offered for privatization. "Discreet, sweeping bankruptcy is taking place. As a rule, 150-200 companies go through bankruptcy in every region. As a rule, those are companies in state or municipal property," the president noted. According to him, such approach is a way for ineffective ownership.

"The privatization in 2007 discredits the country," Viktor Yushchenko announced citing as example privatization of Luganskteplovoz, when "it was sold actually without competition." Such approach to privatization, according to the president, will negatively affect selling of those objects that are only planned to be put up for auction.
sections: Society, Accidents