OREANDA-NEWS. Trade turnover between Ukraine and Georgia increased by 8% to USD 300 million For 5 months of this year. This was announced by vice Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul during a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine Mikhail Ukleba.

"It's almost USD 22 million, or 8% more than in the same period of last year. Following the 2012 trade turnover between the two countries reached the mark of USD 794 million. Our common goal is to reach USD 1 billion of annual turnover in 2013," Olexandr Vilkul said.

During the meeting, vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Georgia's Ambassador discussed the issue of creating a favourable business climate in Ukraine and Georgia's experience in this regard.

"Ukrainian government is focusing on the elimination of bureaucracy and simplifying licensing procedures. At present, the number of permits for business has reduced by 9 times - from 1,200 to 141. At 30% reduced the number of needed licenses," Olexandr Vilkul said.

He noted that the state should create conditions for business development to implement business initiatives of citizens. "In this respect experience of Georgia is a very important. As chairman of the joint Ukrainian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, I will endeavor to implement in Ukraine best Georgian practices," Olexandr Vilkul said.

In particular, the parties agreed to hold round tables with participation of Ukrainian and Georgian experts on the elimination of bureaucracy and improving the quality of administrative services in Ukraine.

In Georgia, simplified access to administrative services to individuals and legal entities is available in the House of Justice. Ukraine is also implemented projects to facilitate access to administrative services, including through administrative services and offices of Ukrposhta.

"At present, Ukraine such services is already provided by 6,700 post offices. Also it was created a universal list of administrative services, the most popular of which (providing pensions, subsidies, information) will be available at all branches of Ukrposhta," Olexandr Vilkul said.

Also during the meeting, Olexandr Vilkul and Mikhail Ukleba discussed the development of tourism, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries. In particular, the arrival of Vice Prime Minister of Georgia Kakha Kaladze on Second Kyiv International Tourism Forum which will be held in Ukraine in October.

"Ukraine is grateful to Georgia for the help in establishing a monument to Lesya Ukrainka in Telavi. The following 2014 the 200th anniversary of the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko is celebrated. Ukraine expects synergies in conducting large-scale events before that date for the Ukrainian minority in Georgia," Olexandr Vilkul said.