U.S. commerce secretary wraps up Ukraine visit

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker aims to increase trade between the United States and Ukraine.    U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker concluded her meeting with senior Ukraine officials on Saturday with an eye toward increasing trade between the United States and the beleaguered country.
   “We are here to learn more about the particular challenges facing Ukraine’s economy and to convey our thoughts about how to stabilize Ukraine’s financial situation, improve the business climate here, and develop the conditions for future growth,” Pritzker said in a statement in Kiev.
   She noted that Ukraine must stabilize its financial system, fight corruption, build a more efficient and accountable bureaucracy, incentivize innovation, reform its energy sector, and allow agriculture and industries to maximize productivity.
   “These steps are going to be hard, but they can change the future of your country,” she said. “In particular, seeing decisive action on anti-corruption now is important. We certainly hope to see the anti-corruption legislation that is currently in the parliament passed before the coming election. The business community inside and outside Ukraine are watching to see if this can get passed now. Passing this legislation is an important signal that the commitment to reform is real.”
   Pritzker continues her trip this week with stops in Poland and Turkey with members of the President’s Export Council. In both countries, she will meet with senior government officials and American companies seeking increased access to their markets.