President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko promises to introduce a simplified system for registering entrepreneurs in the near future and prohibits giving bribes

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In two to three weeks we will introduce a new registration procedure," Yushchenko said at the business forum "Government and Business – Partners," which took place in Kyiv on Friday.

"We will put seventeen chairs in one office, a camera from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the SBU – and let them register a new Ukrainian business in the blink of an eye," Yushchenko said and received applause from the entrepreneurs present.

Yushchenko noted that a similar system is already operating in Moldova.

"Why can the president of Moldova say that in an hour and a half you can open a new business at a single window? Why in Ukraine is this torment stretched out over fifteen months? This must be eliminated," Yushchenko said.

He informed the business forum that the task of the new government is "to create one million jobs every year." At the same time, Yushchenko recalled that "six million Ukrainians are abroad working to earn money."

During the business forum, the president also proposed considering the idea of not collecting taxes at all from newly registered entrepreneurs.

"Let Yulia Volodymyrivna and Viktor Mykhailovych cover their ears," Yushchenko said, addressing Prime Minister Tymoshenko and Finance Minister Pynzenyk. "Let's maybe make a three-year holiday for newly created [businesses]?"

This proposal by Yushchenko was also met with applause.

According to him, these tax holidays will apply to "new opportunities," and budget revenue can be ensured at the expense of already existing enterprises.

"We are also ready for an amnesty – fiscal, capital, property – but you come out of the shadows and pay taxes diligently," Yushchenko addressed the hall.

"So that those who pay diligently – so that they don't know the face of the financial inspector. But there will be harsh treatment for adventurers," the president added.

In addition, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko forbade entrepreneurs from giving bribes to officials, otherwise he will not consider them his allies.

"I obligate you not to give bribes. I am not asking, not being delicate – I am obligating!" Yushchenko said at the business forum "Government and Business – Partners" in Kyiv.

"If you continue such a policy – you are not my partners, and God will punish you. In the 2005 budget, make one revenue item – savings on bribes," Yushchenko said.

In turn, he reported that the government will fight against bribe-takers who work in state structures.

"We are creating a bureau of national investigations to concentrate in one place all investigative functions for investigating abuses by civil servants of categories 1-3," Yushchenko said.

He emphasized, "I give my word – the government will not take bribes." Yushchenko spoke in favor of all entrepreneurs being equal before the law, and not as under the previous government – "three families held on, and everyone else under the roller."

Yushchenko also said that the new government wants to change the tax burden, but so that everyone pays taxes.

Yushchenko named free economic zones as one of the mechanisms for tax evasion. "We have these zones, as grandma Katya used to say, like fleas on a dog. Where there's a clan – there's a zone. And is there a conscience? We've already overtaken China in zones," the president asked.

Yushchenko quoted US President Kennedy.

That if the state cannot help the poorest 20%, then there is no possibility of protecting the richest 20%.

Yushchenko gave an example of how former minister Bilokon was given a pension of 14 thousand hryvnias. "When someone receives 240 hryvnias, and someone a pension of 14 thousand, then we are on the verge of great social tension," he emphasized.

Yushchenko promised businessmen support, however on the condition that entrepreneurs pay taxes.

"You were born on this land, your umbilical cords are buried here. And aren't you ashamed to lie somewhere on the sand on the pebbles and know that someone receives a salary of 240 hryvnias. Do you have compassion or not? Are we citizens or not?" he asked, addressing the hall.

Prime Minister Tymoshenko and the government's economic bloc are participating in the forum's work. Major entrepreneurs Viktor Pinchuk, Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, Vitaliy Haiduk, and UMC head Eric Franke were spotted in the hall.

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