Donetsk, March 19 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The law on special economic zones and priority development territories will again start working in Ukraine, newly appointed Chairman of Donetsk Regional Administration Anatoliy Blyzniuk said on Friday, with reference to a statement made by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych during a meeting with Donetsk region leadership on Thursday.

"The president clearly said yesterday that he would re-enact the law on special economic zones and priority development territories and instructed work to be done in that direction in all regions," Blyzniuk said at a meeting in Donetsk at which Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov was present.

He also said that his major task for the near-term would be to fight the economic crisis.

"Rebranding and reforms should be Donetsk region's ideology. We're continuing an experiment in the development of local government… We're ready to launch pilot changes in pension legislation, administrative and territorial reform at the level of the region," he said.

As reported, during his presidential campaign, Yanukovych pledged to renew special economic zones and priority development territories if elected president.

From 1999 to 2004 there were 11 special economic zones in Ukraine and priority development territories were in effect in nine regions. In March 2005 the national budget for 2005 cancelled value-added tax and profit tax payment benefits for economic entities implementing investment and innovation projects in special economic zones and priority development territories.