The International Monetary Fund called on Ukraine to fight more actively against the shadow economy, which, according to estimates, exceeds 30% of GDP. This became known during the negotiations of the IMF mission with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv regarding funding for 2026-2027, reports Bloomberg.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Danylo Getmantsev confirmed that the issue of reducing the shadow sector was discussed at his meeting with representatives of the IMF mission as one of the conditions for continued cooperation:
“Any efforts to detinize, which I have been doing since 2019, I welcome in every way. And indeed, in the shadows we can find at least 900 billion hryvnias per year. And I am sure that we do not need to be forced to detinize. It has become, through the efforts of a few, the work of all. Everyone, except for a handful of swindlers and their corrupt cronies, the number of which is decreasing every day.
We remind you that on August 20, the European Business Association appealed to the G7 countries with a request to strengthen support for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal trade in excise goods.
The business community emphasizes the importance of exposing and blocking illegal sales channels for tobacco products, as well as the need to introduce tougher sanctions against those involved in the illegal production and circulation of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and liquids for them.
