Today, Shebelynkagasvydobuvannya was receiving high guests. Prime-Minister of Ukraine, V. Groysman, Vice-Prime-Minister of Ukraine, V. Kistion, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine, I. Nasalyk, acting Head of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, V. Dombrovskyy, deputy Head of the Committee, O. Bielkova, executive director of the Association of Gas Producers of Ukraine, R. Opimakh, managers of Naftogaz of Ukraine, A. Koboliev, and of Ukrgasvydobuvannya, O. Prokhorenko, were the participants of the external meeting dedicated to the 60-year anniversary of opening of the Shebelynka gas field, which was aimed at approving the Concept for the Development of Ukraine's Gas Production Industry by 2020.

Volodymyr Groysman: "The Government will in every possible way promote the industry development. We are setting an ambitious goal of increasing natural gas production by 7 bcm by 2020. Today, the state-owned company, Ukrgasvydobuvannya, has received assistance from multiple angles to achieve the goal. I am ready to submit the package of the necessary legislative amendments to the Government's meeting on Wednesday. The changes are required to speed up the progress. In particular, the 5% royalty recoupment, which the companies are willing to leave to the community/region/oblast. An efficient licensing system will also be developed. For new investments, a new (stimulating) tax regime will be established."

As the result of the meeting, during which the Minister Igor Nasalyk has presented the Concept for the Development of Ukraine's Gas Production Industry by 2020, it was decided that the draft Concept will be submitted for the Government's hearing. In his speech, Roman Opimakh has yet again stressed out that the gas producers are confirming readiness to increase domestic gas production in the country. However, he drew attention of the participants to the necessity of creating an attractive investment and regulatory environment. R. Opimakh has also noted the necessity to clearly establish short- and long-term prospects of the tax policy in the industry. "This policy is not yet clear. The taxes are unbalanced and burdening in the environment of dropping gas prices" – he stated. The executive director also highlighted the urgency to audit the issued special permits. V. Groysman has responded that the provided figures for the unutilized licenses is the result of corruption in the country, and they should be cancelled. Olga Bielkova has addressed the participants and noted that the quest is still for investments rather than resources. We have to accelerate making of this extremely important for the industry and for the locals decision to leave 5% to the local communities. We should also simplify the land issue procedures for the industry's needs. The MP also addressed the Prime-Minister with a proposal to advance with speeding up the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the industry, since it is what the public is demanding.

To conclude the meeting, the Concept for the Development of Ukraine's Gas Production Industry by 2020 has been approved unanimously, and is expected to be submitted for Government's hearing the nearest date.