Ukraine: EU beckons, but investors still getting a rough ride | beyondbrics

Ukraine: EU beckons, but investors still getting a rough ride | beyondbrics:

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Ukraine stands a chance to achieve much more than a pivotal westward shift away from Moscow’s grip by signing historic association and free trade agreements with the EU at a Vilnius-based summit in late November.

In setting course for EU convergence, it could rise up on the global investment radar, portraying itself as following Poland’s economic success, and in turn luring in much needed FDI. At least, that’s the theory.

The EU has set conditions before it will sign the landmark agreement, saying Kiev must undertake reforms that include improving its democracy and freeing jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. But even if it does sign up, Ukraine faces massive domestic homework if free trade with the EU is to provide big benefits, reversing a 90 per cent plunge in FDI to a tiny $224m in the first half of 2013."

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