Australia

Trade between Ukraine and Australia in January-July 2017 grew by 56.3%, to US$112.93 million, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman’s press service. In particular, Ukrainian exports amounted to US$7.82 million, which was 53.8% up, while imports of goods from Australia were estimated at US$105.11 million, which was 56.5% up, the press service said after a meeting between Groysman and President of the Senate Stephen Parry in Kyiv on Monday, October 2. Groysman in turn invited businesses from Australia to boost investment in Ukraine and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. “We are far away from each other geographically, but we can deepen our relations during this historical period. I’d like to confirm our intention to deepen diplomatic and political ties and intensify our economic cooperation. I am convinced we need to look for mechanisms for cooperation in the economic sphere, as our bilateral trade potential is much higher than the real numbers now”, the Ukrainian prime minister said. In particular, Ukraine is interested in developing cooperation in the oil and gas, metallurgy, chemical, energy, automotive and infrastructure sectors. It is also ready to propose projects for the modernization of production processes in various industries and open to discuss farm produce and food supplies to Australia. UNIAN memo. The Ukrainian government says Australia is interested in investment in wholesale and retail trade, repairs to vehicles, professional activity, R&D and engineering, information technology and telecoms. Ukraine is also of interest in view of its proximity to the EU and its Association Agreement and a free trade area with the EU. The possibility of organizing the supply of energy carriers, in particular coal, to Ukraine is a separate area of cooperation. Australia also run the Direct Aid Program in Ukraine, providing small grants. In 2016-2017, priority is given to projects aimed at improving the situation of internally displaced persons, especially women and children. The Union of Ukrainian Organization in Australia says that up to 38,000 Ukrainians live in that country.