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.

Kyiv, 3 December 2010 – BRAAC presented the report on Approximation of Ukrainian Legislation to European Union Directives on Credit Agreements and Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services. The report contains general characteristics of Ukrainian legislation in the field of credit agreements for consumers and distance marketing of consumer financial services; overview of EU Directives 2008/48/EC and 2002/65/EC regulatory framework; comparison of EU Directives 2008/48/EC and 2002/65/EC and Ukrainian legislation in the relevant field; and legal proposals to Ukrainian legislation on credit agreements for consumers and distance marketing of consumer financial services.