Ukraine to Import Annually 48,000 Cars Duty-Free from EU Countries

As part of drafting an agreement on a free trade zone, Ukraine has agreed with the EU on duty-free imports of 48,000 vehicles per year, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at a meeting with Secretary General of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) Yves van der Straaten on Monday.

"Our customers should be able to buy any cars. And our automotive industry must rise to the level of world manufacturers and compete with them with dignity. We have held talks with the EU as part of creating the free trade area and agreed on duty-free imports of about 48,000 vehicles per year," Azarov said.

He also noted that the such number of vehicles corresponds to the volume of imports in 2005-2007, and that the government intends to subsidise the development of the Ukrainian automobile industry and foreign investments in the automotive sector.