- UK and Ukraine agree new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to
provide much-needed support for Ukrainian economy following
Russia’s illegal invasion
- Ukraine’s first ever digital trade deal will support its
economy through the current crisis and lay foundations for its
recovery and revival
- Deal is the second such agreement for the UK and follows our
decision to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero under
existing UK-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
The UK and Ukraine will today [Wednesday 30 November] agree a
ground-breaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help
Ukraine rebuild its economy and support livelihoods following
Russia’s illegal invasion.
Trade Secretary and Ukraine’s First
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Economy Yulia
Svyrydenko will meet in London today to agree the deal. It is the
second such trade deal the UK has secured, following the
world-leading agreement with Singapore finalised earlier this
year.
UK negotiators worked at record pace with their Ukrainian
counterparts to deliver a deal after the Ukrainian government
highlighted the important role Ukraine’s first ever digitally
focused trade agreement could play in bolstering the country’s
economy.
Trading digitally is particularly important in the current
conflict, where damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and warfare
makes it much harder to trade physically. Digital tools and
technologies will help Ukrainians access everyday vital goods and
services during the war.
For example, there is a critical need for people to be able to
use digital solutions to prove they are who they say they are,
despite the loss of critical documentation or displacement across
borders. The agreement provides a framework for the UK and
Ukraine to cooperate to promote compatibility between their
respective digital identity systems to help address this.
Trade Secretary said:
“The landmark digital trade deal agreed today between our two
countries paves the way for a new era of modern trade between us.
“This agreement will mean our businesses and governments can
collaborate even more and ensure Ukrainians have access to
essential goods and services digital trade opens up. This
will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in
Ukraine’s post-war future.”
First Deputy PM and Minister for Trade and Economy Yulia
Svyrydenko said:
“This digital trade agreement illustrates that Ukrainian IT
companies operating in Ukraine are in demand
around the world despite all the challenges of
war.
“The UK-UA Digital
Trade Agreement has enshrined core freedoms
for trade in digital goods and services. Ukraine believes
that an open and free framework
for the digital economy is the best
investment in future oriented development.”
Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services
crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s
facilitation of cross-border data flows. It also establishes
greater cooperation between the UK and Ukraine on cybersecurity
and emerging technologies, helping to keep UK and Ukrainian
businesses and people safer.
By streamlining digital border processes, Ukrainian businesses
will be able to better access the digitally delivered goods and
services they need to succeed. They will also be able to trade
more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic
transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.
As a global leader in digital, the UK is ideally positioned to
aid Ukraine’s post-conflict transition to a digital economy, with
over two-thirds of our services exports to Ukraine already
digitally delivered.
techUK CEO David said:
“techUK welcomes today’s agreement in principle on a UK-Ukraine
Digital Trade Agreement. It comes at a crucial time for our
friends in Ukraine and it will open up new opportunities for
cooperation in tech and digital between our two countries.
“This agreement provides the framework for easy flow of critical
goods and services, by ensuring the free flow of data and
cybersecurity cooperation.
“We are committed to working with our members and the UK and
Ukrainian governments to make the most of this agreement and
support the Ukrainian economy at this difficult time.”
In May this year, the UK removed all tariffs under the existing
UK-Ukraine free trade agreement, supporting Ukrainian businesses
and producers to export goods and rebuild their economy.
Work is also underway, through the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure
Taskforce, to build partnerships between companies from both
countries which help repair damaged and destroyed infrastructure
including bridges and homes in and around Kyiv.
