The Ukrainian prosecutor general's office has launched an online tool that tracks investigations into crimes related to businesses in Ukraine in response to pressure from companies who complain of police inaction.
The tool, which is open to the public, tracks and displays data on the number of registered crimes related to businesses, the number of investigations closed and ongoing, the number of suspects contacted, the amount of compensation recovered and other information.
"This is a response to the demand of business and investors who want to see justice and integrity in the work of law enforcement," said Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office. "I am pleased that the discussion on the pressure of controlling authorities on business will finally be transferred to the plane of numbers and data, not posts in social media."
He said the tool "helps to make law enforcement activities more transparent, minimise the human factor, speed up data exchange, and reduce the risk of data loss and manipulation."
In a LinkedIn post, Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, welcomed the dashboard, saying that "illicit economic activities" have surged to "record levels in certain industries."
For example, he said, 71% of iPhones sold go through the "shadow market," depriving the government of $135 million, while losses due to tax evasion by internet service providers are almost $100 million a year.
He also said just five companies pay 31% of all taxes in the restaurant business even though 40,000 restaurants are operating in Ukraine.
"Protection of investors' rights, rule of law, and real and effective judicial reform are at the top of American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine agenda, particularly since the onset of the full-fledged invasion when business continuity, economic security, high-quality job creation, and furthering Ukraine's ongoing resilience is truly a national security priority," Hunder wrote.
