Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman presented on Dec. 28 an action plan for the government from now until 2020, with a focus on five priorities: economic growth, effective governance, human capital development, establishing the rule of law and fighting corruption, and security and defense.
“I would like us to do our best to become a government that possesses different qualities and different philosophies, so that people see us as those who really understand the situation and can make changes,” said Groysman.
In addition, the government finished outlining the development strategy for the energy sector. By 2020, Ukraine plans to increase domestic gas production and become fully independent from gas importers, as well as to develop alternative energy sources – solar, wind, and hydro.
The government also prioritized the reintegration of Russia-occupied Donbas and Crimea by fighting Russian propaganda and providing Ukrainian citizens who live on Russian-backed separatist-controlled territories with alternative sources of information.
Finally, the Ukrainian government is determined to finalize long-running land reform in the next three years. However, Groysman didn’t specify how it would be done except for mentioning “stimulation of agricultural sector through support programs.” He also did not comment on whether the moratorium on land sales would be lifted.
In the most recent clash over land reform, the parliament won by extending the moratorium on the sales of farmland until 2018. Land and pension reforms are among the conditions for the tranches from the International Monetary Fund under a $17.5 billion, four-year lending program ending in 2019.
The successful nationalization of PrivatBank and adoption of the state budget for 2017 may help secure further lending from the IMF, which has loaned $7.7 billion of the amount thus far.
On Dec. 28, the Verkhovna Rada published the final version of a $30 billion national budget for the next year with increased spending on social reforms and national defense. The minimum wage was raised to Hr 3,200 ($123) a month with minimal standard of living set at Hr 1,544 ($59).
The budget also envisions Hr 731 billion ($27.1 billion) in income for the government over the course of 2017, with expenses at Hr 800 billion ($29.7 billion).
