Zelensky signs law: AMCU to resume control over state aid to business

President approves restoration of AMCU powers

Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law restoring the function of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) to control the provision of state aid to enterprises. The Verkhovna Rada press service reported that the parliament had received the document with the presidential signature.

Abolition of temporary wartime restrictions

The law abolishes the temporary suspensions introduced at the beginning of the full-scale war. AMCU now regains full powers to verify the admissibility of state aid from a competition perspective. Meanwhile, state aid provided to business during the period of martial law remains valid.

Harmonisation with European standards

The main objective of the document is to fulfil Ukraine's international obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU and the Ukraine Facility mechanism. The law updates terminology to align with European Union norms. In particular, the concepts of services of general economic interest, de minimis aid, and important projects of common interest have been clarified.

The document also improves the operation of the State Aid Register, which is administered by AMCU. It provides for the introduction of separate support programmes for small and medium-sized businesses under martial law conditions.

Timeline of the law's adoption

The bill went through the parliamentary procedure. It was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on 22 July of this year. On 1 September, the document was approved in principle in the first reading, and on 11 November, in the second reading.