Ukraine passes key EU screening on business and industrial policy

Ministry of Economy of Ukraine reported that Ukraine has successfully presented its progress in aligning national legislation with European Union norms during an official online screening held on April 28–29 in Brussels. The session focused on Chapter 20 of the EU acquis – Enterprise and Industrial Policy.

The meeting was opened by the Head of the Ukrainian Delegation and Chief Negotiator, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna. Ukraine’s legislative alignment efforts were presented by Deputy Economy Ministers Tetiana Berezhna and Andriy Teliupa, Deputy Director of the Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship Department Oleksandr Vasyliuk, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, State Space Agency, State Geological Service, Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries.

Preparations for the screening spanned several months and involved close coordination between the Ministry of Economy, sectoral government agencies, and the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

During the sessions, the Ministry of Economy team outlined Ukraine’s progress across key areas:

• Industrial policy development: Modernizing industrial ecosystems, implementing Smart Specialisation principles, and supporting green production transformation.
• SME support: Participation in the EU Single Market Programme, promoting cluster development, and improving access to finance.
• Light industry development: Supporting companies that maintain production, exports, and jobs during wartime, while advancing circular economy principles.
• Corporate sustainability and responsibility: Aligning with EU standards for responsible business practices and sustainable development.
• Deregulation and digitalization: Simplifying business regulations and expanding digital services for entrepreneurs.
• Social economy development: Supporting businesses focused on social needs and community recovery.
• Steel industry recovery: Presenting plans for rebuilding production capacity and integrating into EU supply chains.

“We showcased practical tools for supporting business and industry development — including the 5-7-9% loan program, grants for processing enterprises, modernization efforts, and regional Smart Specialisation. The European Commission positively assessed the coherence of our approach, the tangible outcomes of ongoing programs, and Ukraine’s overall progress in policy adaptation,” said Deputy Minister Teliupa.

The European Commission noted the strong preparation of the Ukrainian delegation. One area flagged for further improvement was the need for faster implementation of the Late Payment Directive.

“A positive screening outcome is an important step in Ukraine’s negotiations to join the European Union. We will continue working on aligning our legislation with EU law, implementing European approaches to business and industrial support, and advancing priority reforms,” added Andriy Teliupa.

• EU struggles to back the UK’s proposal for a 64,000-strong Ukraine force, as key nations cite troop shortages and security concerns at home.