Nefyodov appointed State Customs Service head

Deputy Economy Minister Max Nefyodov won a competition
to become appointed as head of the State Customs Service on June 25, local
media reported. Nefyodov built his career in investment banking, including
leading a private equity fund, before gaining a reputation as a government
reformer when appointed as deputy minister of economic development and trade in
2015. Among his key achievements was launching and promoting the Prozorro
electronic system of state procurements, which reportedly saved billions of
hryvnias for the state and state enterprises. 

Recall, the separation of the State Fiscal Service into
tax and customs services was one of Ukraine’s commitments to the IMF under the
ongoing Stand-By program.

Alexander Paraschiy: Ukrainian customs has the image as one of the most corrupted state
bodies, with annual damages to the state from inefficient clearance being
estimated at several billions of dollars. Therefore, Nefyodov will have his
work cut out for him in improving the situation. His two predecessors at the
head of the State Fiscal Service, also with investment banking experience
(serving in 2014-2017), brought no tangible results in terms of reforms,
instead becoming mired in corruption scandals. Based on Nefyodov’s performance
in the economy ministry however, we see a new chance for positive changes in
customs that could enormously benefit the Ukrainian economy.