Stabilization of economy main task in 2016: Ukrainian PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on Thursday outlined priorities for his government this year, saying that stabilization of the economy would be the main task.

"Our main priority is to improve the wellbeing of people, and this can be achieved only through a steady economic stabilization and a stable economic growth," Groysman told a government meeting.

Among main challenges to be tackled by the government to achieve macroeconomic stabilization, the prime minister listed corruption, instability of banking system, inflation, unreasonable administrative barriers and inefficient management of state-owned enterprises.

Other major tasks included the launch of the energy efficiency program aimed at reducing Ukraine's dependence on imported energy sources and the start of a major road reconstruction intended to develop the country's transit potential, Groysman said.

Moreover, he said that the recovery of territories in eastern regions affected by an armed confrontation between government troops and pro-independence insurgents was another priority in his government's "to-do list."

The government action plan will be put into effect later this month following consultations with experts and lawmakers, Groysman said.

Groysman came to power in April after the government of Arseniy Yatsenyuk resigned in the wake of months-long political crisis that has overshadowed reforms and threatened to freeze vital international financial support. Endit