OREANDA-NEWS. October 04, 2012. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov called on the diplomatic missions' representatives, working abroad; take an active one's stand on the issue of protecting Ukraine's economic interests overseas. He said this during a meeting with Ukraine's diplomatic missions' heads.

"The Ukrainian enterprises have much to offer in the global markets, we continue to remain competitive. In this regard I'd like to see both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and you, as the ministry representatives, actively contributed to the organization and presentation of our companies and products, business forums, presenting our best technologies and scientific-technological achievements," Mykola Azarov emphasized.

In his opinion, the embassies work should be evaluated also by indicators of increase in commodity turnover, exports.

The Prime Minister stressed the Government has developed a program to support the domestic market, import substitution, and, therefore, expects that national diplomats be actively switched to these programs implementation.

"There have been some changes over the past two years: instead of economic and trade missions there are functioning economic departments of embassies. I don't see yet much of a difference, and I still can't say that it has a positive impact on promoting Ukraine's economic interests overseas," Mykola Azarov said.

He drew attention to the need to strengthen an information component of diplomatic missions. "The international community should be thoroughly informed about the progress of the reforms carried out in Ukraine, but also about what we go confidently by path of democracy and socio-economic reforms. Diplomatic missions should increase outreach activities, to break stereotypes consistently, dispel myths, and sometimes - a purposeful misinformation campaign about Ukraine. We must keep together with you our partners aware of the changes taking place in Ukraine," said the Prime Minister.

According to him, it's possible to attract foreign investors by explaining the essence of widespread system of deregulation, tax and customs reforms, the creation of the legal framework of public-private partnerships, state support measures for priority national projects implementation as well.