16 April 2021 year based on the results of consideration of appeals of the business community, People's Deputy of Ukraine, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Customs Affairs of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, tax and customs policy, Alexander Sova The third open meeting of participants of the Ukrainian beet and sugar industry with representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development was organized, trade and agriculture of Ukraine, Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, State Customs Service of Ukraine and other executive bodies to discuss problematic issues and find common options and mechanisms for their solution.

In their appeals, representatives of relevant associations of food producers, which contain sugar, expressed concern about the possible risks of destabilizing the sugar market, which has developed in connection with the decline in its production, that caused, including, adverse weather conditions.
They noted, that in case of non-interference in the situation, its consequences can negatively affect both the domestic market, and reflect on the decline in exports of such products.

As noted by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, of Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky, in March, the Ministry of Economy issued import licenses 120 th. tons of raw sugar, and added, that now the Ministry of Economy is considering the issue of issuing licenses for the import of additional in the near future 50 th. tons of raw sugar.

Based on the results of the discussion, a decision was made to prepare and register a draft Law on Amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine, regarding a temporary reduction to 0% import duty rates on sugar for the period up to September 2021 year under the established quota 120 thousand tons.

This draft law has already been developed by the Ministry of Economy, taking into account the consultations with the representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, tax and customs policy.

The participants of the meeting agreed, that the import of sugar with the use of such temporary preferential conditions will stabilize the domestic market of sugar and help reduce its retail price in retail chains.

2 On March 2021 Ukrainian Embassy in Kuwait organized B2B video conference meetings between Ukrainian exporters and one of the leading importers of food in Kuwait "AlRitaj Global Food Company".

The first online meeting on the establishment of exports of Ukrainian sweets to Kuwait was attended by the President of the Association "Ukrkondprom" Alexander Baldynyuk and the management of the company "Lviv Chocolate Workshop" (Natalia Dubova, Julian Verst, Ulyana Humetska). The second meeting with the management of "USPA Fruit" (Dmytro Kroshka and Volodymyr Gurzhiy) was dedicated to the import of apples and berries to Kuwait.

https://kuwait.mfa.gov.ua/news/virtualni-v2v-zustrichi-mizh-ukrayinskimi-ta-kuvejtskimi-kompaniyami

15 January chaired by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (CDTO) Dmytro Senik hosted an online coordination meeting of representatives of Ukrainian embassies in the Gulf and Southeast Asia, USAID and Ukrainian sweets exporters.

The meeting was held as part of the VTrade Confectionery Foods initiative, implemented by the Ukrkondprom branch association with the financial support of USAID within the framework of the Competitive Economy of Ukraine program. The initiative aims to help Ukrainian producers expand their export geography despite restrictions, imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Opening the event, Dmytro Senik emphasized: "This initiative is one of the priorities for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in the economic direction 2021 year. Firstly, we are talking about the food market, on which Ukraine traditionally holds strong positions. Per-second, it – export of goods with high added value. The promotion of Ukrainian products meets the task of the President of Ukraine to economize Ukrainian foreign policy within the framework of Ukraine's export strategy. "

The full text can be found at the link –
Dmitry Senik: promotion of Ukrainian sweets in the Gulf and ASEAN countries is one of the economic priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2021 year | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (mfa.gov.ua)

The VTrade Confectionery Foods Initiative is implemented under the support of the USAID “Competitive Economy of Ukraine” Program to help Ukrainian confectionery manufacturers despite the Covid-19-related restrictions to develop export and deepen trade relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), countries through 2 activity components:

I COMPONENT. ONLINE B2B MEETINGS.

With the help of local consultants - residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, a list of potential partners,, importers and distributors of confectionery products –  from ASEAN and the GCC countries will be formed and individual online B2B negotiations for Ukrainian confectionery manufacturers will be organized. It is also planned to organize at least 60 online B2B meetings between Ukrainian confectionery manufacturers and potential domestic and international buyers in each of the two 60 regions within the period from January to April, , 2021 year.

II COMPONENT. B2B OUTBOUND TRADE MISSION in Philippines and KSA.

When Covid-19 restrictions allow, , trade missions to the Philippines and Saudi Arabia , will be conducted for Ukrainian confectionery manufacturers to meet with local importers and distributors of confectionery products (tentatively - July-August 2021 .).

Requirements for participants:

• Export experience;

• Availability of an English-language site and catalog, as well as English-speaking managers for B2B negotiations;

• Availability of the necessary certificates and compliance with the food requirements and regulations of the target markets.

To join the VTrade Confectionery Foods initiative, Ukrainian confectionery producers need to submit an application form https://forms.gle/jrHLXx5aauyPKg3x7  before 15 January 2021 year.

USAID Program “Competitive Economy of Ukraine” supports star-ups and MSB enterprises with the aim to enhance their competitiveness on local and international markets, helps to build transparent and simplified regulation, and provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to benefit from international trade.