The 海角视频 and Ukraine have kicked off talks on a 鈥渓andmark鈥 digital trade agreement, aimed at providing support for 鈥淯krainian jobs, livelihoods, and families鈥 after Russia鈥檚 invasion.
The digital trade agreement will be designed to support Ukrainian businesses by cutting red tape and helping them to trade with the 海角视频 more efficiently through technologies such as electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.
It will also aim to make it easier for 海角视频 companies to work with Ukrainian businesses and support their economic recovery.
The talks began on Tuesday, as International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with first deputy prime minister and minister of economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and vice prime minister and minister of digital transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov virtually and Ukrainian ambassador to the 海角视频 Vadym Prystaiko in person in London.
Total trade between the 海角视频 and Ukraine was worth 拢1.9 billion in 2021 and 海角视频 exports of digitally delivered services accounted for 73% of all 海角视频 services exports to Ukraine in 2020.
Ms Trevelyan said: 鈥(Vladimir) Putin鈥檚 brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has had devastating human consequences.
鈥淭he 海角视频 stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will use trade as a force for good to help the country rebuild its modern economy after this barbaric war.
鈥淥ur partnership with Ukraine will help them seize the brighter days ahead, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect Ukrainian jobs, livelihoods and families.鈥
Mr Prystaiko insisted 鈥渢he ties between our governments have never been closer鈥, adding: 鈥淲hile we fight fearlessly for the freedom of our nation, many Ukrainians also look ahead to how we will rebuild our country.
鈥淪trengthening our economic ties through this landmark digital trade agreement will support our IT industry, which is set to become a major driver of economic growth for our businesses and cities.鈥
The announcement comes after a direct request from President (Volodymyr) Zelensky鈥檚 government, which identified supporting the digital economy as one of its areas of focus for the recovery and reconstruction of the country.
It also follows the 海角视频鈥檚 removal of all tariffs under the existing 海角视频-Ukraine free trade agreement in May, supporting Ukrainian businesses and producers to export goods and rebuild their economy.
In July, the Trade Secretary also launched a new 海角视频-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce, which is building partnerships between 海角视频 and Ukrainian businesses to help repair damaged and destroyed infrastructure including bridges and homes in and around Kyiv.
On Wednesday, Ukraine will mark 31 years since it declared independence from the Soviet Union.
Events are planned across the 海角视频 to mark the occasion in a gesture of solidarity, as war continues to rage in the eastern European country.
August 24 also marks six months since the Russian invasion.
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