Ukrainian Interior Ministry intensifying cooperation with American Chamber of Commerce

"The Ukrainian Interior Ministry is intensifying cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce. It is about protecting the intellectual property of investors, cooperation in the field of protecting telecommunication networks, the security of goods transportation and counteracting fraud. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce reached such an agreement at a meeting," the report reads.

In particular, Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Tetyana Prokopchuk recalled that the Ukrainian government had announced the goal of attracting $50 billion in investment and "companies are quite optimistic."

"We have prepared ten steps that we believe can be a driver of economic growth. What is important to investors is the rule of law and the protection of their own investments, including intellectual property. Here we would like to deepen cooperation with the Interior Ministry so as to protect the intellectual work of scientists, the creative industry and companies engaged in scientific development," Prokopchuk said.

Avakov, in turn, said that the police are only one of the components of business protection, along with the courts and the prosecutor's office.

"We must clearly understand that there are no 'saints' among law enforcement officers or investors. Therefore, there must be a constructive dialogue and clear cooperation between us," he added.

He said that the speedy creation of the Bureau of Financial Investigation is important in matters of investigating economic crimes.

"In my opinion, this must be an analytical body with a pencil and a computer. If this is another law enforcement agency with its own special forces and operational units, then, in my opinion, the pressure on business will only increase. There are four bodies in Ukraine authorized to conduct operational activities. If necessary, the newly created service will be able to involve these specialists," the minister said.

The sides also discussed the protection of information systems of private companies. Representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce noted a positive trend in cooperation with the cyber police.

Avakov, in turn, said that in March this year, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry will present a new system of cyber security in Ukraine, including a platform for cooperation between business and the National Police.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko, Head of the National Police Ihor Klymenko, Deputy Chairman and Chief of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine Maksym Tsutskiridze, as well as representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

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