O.Turchynov: The decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine has liberalized rules of foreign economic activity for domestic weapon producing companies of the defence industrial complex

The President of Ukraine has signed a Decree, which put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine on the liberalization of foreign economic activity for domestic defence and industrial complex companies. This was announced by the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov during a briefing.

According to him, the decision of the NSDC of Ukraine envisages the liberalization of foreign economic activity for enterprises of the defence industrial complex, "in particular, it stipulates permit for the export of own products without mediation of specialized state companies, to all manufacturers of military equipment and weapons, regardless of the form of ownership."

"Import of military products for the own needs of manufacturers of military equipment and weapons is allowed, as well as imports for non-state enterprises that have direct dealer agreements with foreign arms producers," O.Turchynov said, adding that restrictions on direct contracts for the weapons and military equipment procurement abroad for Ukrainian security bloc ministries were also lifted, in particular for the Ministry of Defence.

Also, the NSDC Secretary informed that, in order to implement this decision, the NSDC has commissioned the Government to amend the relevant Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regulations to simplify the procedures for granting enterprises of various forms of ownership powers for the above specified import-export operations. "In addition, the Government is instructed to develop and submit for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine draft amendments to the laws of Ukraine "On State Control over International Transfers of Military and Dual-Use Goods", "On Foreign Economic Activity", "On State Defence Orders" and other legislative acts of  Ukraine", he said.

O.Turchynov has called this decision "a very serious step that will strengthen our defence capability significantly and give a powerful impetus to the development of defence industry."

The Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council has also announced the initiation of legislative restrictions lifting regarding privatization and attraction of investments to domestic state defence enterprises before the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

O. Turchynov also emphasized that liberalization of foreign economic activity for domestic arms-manufacturing companies "will not weaken reliable export control and compliance of all actors in this area with international agreements signed by Ukraine".