Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland confirmed their intention to conclude a Digital Trade Agreement

The new Agreement on digital trade will remove barriers to trade, as well as provide appropriate support to Ukrainian businesses that have suffered as a result of russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

On August 23, 2022, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov and the Secretary of State for International Trade of Great Britain Anne-Marie Trevelyan confirmed the intention of the parties to conclude the Digital Trade Agreement. The relevant statement was made during an online meeting with the participation of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystayko and Ambassador of Great Britain to Ukraine Melinda Simmons.

Commenting on the intention to launch the negotiation process, Yulia Svyrydenko noted: "The Digital Trade Agreement is a new type of trade agreement that will open up new opportunities for Ukrainian and British businesses through the use of modern technologies that will reduce bureaucratic procedures and promote the use of electronic payments, digital signatures and electronic contracts".

Future arrangements should ensure the creation of an appropriate digital infrastructure and regulatory environment, which will provide a single window for traders and government authorities, leveling restrictions on cross-border data transfers; growth of trade in services; proper protection of personal data; improving access to public resources managed by Ukraine and Great Britain. On the legal form, the Digital Trade Agreement will complement the Agreement on political cooperation, free trade and strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, concluded on October 8, 2020.

It should be noted that on May 4, 2022, the parties concluded Agreement No. 1 in the form of an exchange of letters, which canceled all tariff restrictions in bilateral trade for twelve months with the possibility of extension.

In addition, on August 18, 2022, Ukraine and Great Britain signed Agreement No. 2 in the form of an exchange of letters on updating and streamlining the provisions on public procurement.