Oleksiy Shevchuk, Head of the UNLA: Lobbying should be a legal and transparent mechanism of interaction between business and the state
Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, spoke at a meeting of the Anti-Crisis Headquarters for Economic Sustainability under Martial Law at the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
In his speech, he emphasized that lobbying is a legal, transparent and civilized tool for interaction between business and the state, which should be based on the principles of legality, accountability and trust.
Oleksiy Shevchuk outlined three key areas that are crucial for the development of the lobbying institution and strengthening the economic sustainability of the state.
The first area is the institutionalization of lobbying. This means moving from informal practices to clearly defined legal procedures, introducing a transparency register and standards of ethical behavior.
The second area is economic policy priorities for 2026. Among them, the Head of the UNLA highlighted war risk insurance, harmonization of customs and tax legislation with the EU law, support for industrial policy and stimulation of production localization.
The third area concerns the synergy of business and the professional community. According to Shevchuk, the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has the potential to form a consolidated business request, while the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association has the potential to act as a professional operator of legal solutions in the field of lobbying.
The Head of the UNLA emphasized that lobbying is not a “shadow influence” but a democratic mechanism for business participation in public policy making. These are the tools that international partners expect from Ukraine, as they create conditions for investment, economic recovery and sustainable development.
Oleksiy Shevchuk thanked the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs for the professional discussion, openness to institutional solutions and a common vision of the future, and expressed special gratitude to Anatoliy Kinakh for coordinating the business community and supporting it under martial law.
