OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2013. The level of trade and economic relations does not correspond to the economic potential of Ukraine and France. Now there are prospects to intensify this relationship. This opinion was expressed by Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov in an interview with "Le nouvel Economiste" (France).

"I’m convinced that, despite the crisis in the global economy that have a negative impact on the bilateral trade between Ukraine and France, the prospects for the development of bilateral economic relations are possible," Mykola Azarov emphasized.

According to him, Ukraine has a lot of projects that will interest French investors. In addition, our country is modernizing its economy and developing its domestic market.

Mykola Azarov considers that Ukraine is becoming an attractive country for investment. "For example, we already have clinics equipped in accordance with European level, modern agricultural complexes, steel plants, environmental treatment facilities, etc. that are better equipped only because they have been built in recent years," the head of the Ukrainian government said.

Prime Minister of Ukraine said that on June 18 he met with representatives of business circles of France at the forum organized by MEDEF International. "We discussed, in particular, the construction of pharmaceutical enterprise and concession of roads in Ukraine, as well as other equally interesting projects with the participation of French companies," Mykola Azarov said.

During the meeting with MEDEF the Ukrainian Premier invited French partners to present their projects to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. "We are going to develop specific mechanisms of supporting, maintenance, if you want custody of investment projects to be approved. At the same time, I stressed that a system of significant tax incentives for investment and government interference in business strongly limited in Ukraine. This policy will be retained. An important aspect of bilateral activation in the framework of the Ukrainian-French intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation with our French colleagues is holding by the end of the year its seventh meeting," Mykola Azarov said on the prospects for cooperation.

According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the level of trade and economic relations does not correspond to the economic potential of our countries. Today, French investments in Ukraine are more than 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, or 3.2% of total foreign investment in Ukraine. Over 70% of French investments are concentrated in the finance and only 14% in the industrial sector. This trend is slowly changing. Last year there was an increase in investments of French companies in the manufacturing sector of the economy.

"I am confident that we can improve this situation," Mykola Azarov said.