Ukraine gov’t hires Washington lobbyists to attract investment

The Presidential Administration of Ukraine has hired the BGR Group consulting firm, led by former Republican National Committee Chair Haley Barbour, to lobby Ukraine’s interests in Washington, the Deutsche Welle news agency reported on Jan. 6, citing registration documents filed with the U.S. Justice Department. Among the stated goals are attracting private investment in Ukraine as part of a strategy of business development and government affairs, according to the documents, which were registered on Jan. 1. BGR Group also plans to organize meetings with American officials.

Zenon Zawada: Wherever there’s rule of law and respect for private property, business thrives on its own, without the need for government assistance. In Ukraine’s case, the bureaucracy remains large and prone to corruption. But for the government to be hiring a Washington lobbying firm, it must have specific large-scale projects being planned.