The moment of truth may come in September, when the team will introduce in parliament the Odesa reform package. The legislation includes deregulation, cutting the number of designated land uses to two-three from 10, making customs clearance faster and more transparent, abolishing licenses in some industries and lifting the moratorium on the sale of agricultural land.
[…]
The regional government has hired Western-educated Ukrainians and members of Saakashvili’s Georgian team of reformers. It also employs experts and volunteers, including ones from Odesa Oblast, Russia and the team recruited by Borovik during his work at the Economy Ministry. Borovik was slated to become first deputy economy minister in March but quit after disagreements with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, whom he accused of stalling reforms.
Most of the new people at the administration, including Borovik, Marushevska and Maria Gaidar, formerly a Russian opposition activist, are currently working free of charge.
The regional administration has also fired most of the 27 district heads in Odesa Oblast and is selecting new ones based on professional qualifications. One of the requirements for choosing district heads was fluent English for working with foreign investors.
“We spoke to people in English during telephone interviews,” Borovik said. “We started speaking in English, and if a person didn’t respond, this meant he lied on his resume.”
They were also required to have a good education. “We’re looking for people with a global outlook and people who know the advantages of the region and can promote it,” Marushevska said.
People with lots of experience in the Ukrainian government were rejected. “It’s more of a downside for us than an upside,” Marushevska said. She also rejected candidates who were lobbyists of specific political clans and people with major business interests in a specific district.
De bien belles et bonnes réformes à venir. Si les petits cochons ne mangent pas Saakachvili.
