BRAAC Promotes Approximation of Ukrainian Legislation to European Union Directives on Credit Agreements and Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services

Kyiv, 10 March 2011 – There is considerable evidence of a positive mutual relationship between the openness of international trade and economic growth that in turn is necessary to secure a continuous reduction in poverty and the promotion of human development. However, reduced trade barriers and improved access to markets are often insufficient to let countries make use of all the potential advantages of trade liberalisation, says the Report. An important prerequisite consists of the availability of relevant institutions and capacities in these countries that would maximize the advantages of the new business opportunities provided by better access to other countries’ markets, new technologies and resources. The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre (BRAAC) – a project funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine – launched today an extensive assessment of Ukraine’s international trade development needs. The Report titled ‘Aid for Trade Needs Assessment – Ukraine: Trade and Human Development’ has been produced within UNDP regional Aid for Trade project ‘Wider Europe: Aid for Trade for Central Asia, South Caucasus and Western Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)’, financed within the framework of Finland’s Wider Europe Initiative.

Warsaw, Poland, 16-17 December 2010 – Mr. Marcin Swiecicki, BRAAC Director, participated at the Polish-German-Ukrainian conference “Ukraine 2010 - a change or continuation in relations with the Polish and Germans?” which has been held by the Polish-Ukrainian Cooperation Foundation (PAUCI). He contributed to the debate “Economic situation in Ukraine: challenges and reform implemented”.

Kyiv, 13-14 December 2010 – The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre held a workshop “International Experience of Introducing the Second Pillar of the Pension System: Potential Options for Ukraine”. The workshop was delivered by Mr. Edward Palmer and Mr. Amil Kamenica, prominent international experts on pension system reform.

Korosten, 25 November 2010 - Mr. Marcin Swiecicki, Director of the Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre participated in the sixth Chornobyl Economic Development Forum (ChEDF) which was jointly organized by Korosten City Council and the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme in Korosten. The Forum was devoted the discussion of how to attract investments in Polissia area and, importnatly, to the establishment of industrial parks and positive branding of the area.