The approach to determining risk criteria in detecting criminal offenses should not lead to blocking the work of white businesses. This was discussed at a meeting of the leadership of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine with representatives of business associations and civil society institutions.

A risk-based approach (RBA) is the identification of risks of criminal offenses in the budget, tax, customs and other areas of the economy.

It is through the analysis of databases, registers and other sources based on the RBA criteria that the Bureau's analysts determine where and what threats exist to the economic security of the state and what measures should be taken to eliminate them.

"The criteria must be weighed so that it does not lead to the shutdown of enterprises, as it happened with the unjustified blocking of tax invoices. So we want to hear from business as well, because the analytical component distinguishes the ESBU from law enforcement agencies. We are trying to prevent and, in the future, make it impossible to commit offenses in the economic sphere. The task is not so much to punish the offender as to prevent losses for the state, and if they occurred, to compensate for the losses," said Director of the ESBU Vadym Melnyk.

The meeting discussed the results of the work of the Economic Security Bureau in 2022 and early 2023. The participants also discussed the risk-based approach. Proposals were made to develop a list of threats that would not interfere with business operations.

"There are loopholes in the legislation that make a business that wants to operate openly look like a violator. For example, if it buys raw materials from individuals and then asks the state to refund VAT. It is important to create these criteria so that honest businesses do not feel uncomfortable," said Rotislav Korobka, Vice President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Representatives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine emphasized that the body was created to prevent pressure on business and unreasonable blocking of work. That is why representatives from various fields are involved in the discussion of risk criteria, and all suggestions and comments are taken into account.

After the final approval of the criteria, the ESBU plans to develop recommendations for improving the work in the economic sphere at the state level. A series of meetings with government officials will also be held to minimize possible economic crimes.

The event was attended by ULIE Vice President Yulia Drogovoz, Member of the Board of the Ukrainian advocates association Serhiy Lysenko, Vice President of the Ukrainian Chamber of commerce and industry Rostyslav Korobka, coordinator of the expert group on law enforcement at the business ombudsman council Tetiana Mykulska and EBA deputy executive Director Natalia Artemchuk.