**Ukraine Reforms Tracker: Issue 17**
This is the 17th issue of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker”. It covers events from March 3-9, 2025.
**Benchmarks and Soft Commitments with the IMF**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill that amends the budget code. This change helps the government manage public investments better. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) required this reform as part of its program to help Ukraine’s economy.
The new law creates a general fund for public investments. The government will oversee how it is used across different projects. This change aims to make public spending more efficient and effective.
**Obligations to the EU**
Ukraine’s Parliament, called the Verkhovna Rada, will vote on two important bills soon. These laws are linked to Ukraine’s commitments under a program with the European Union (EU).
One bill introduces a new system for paying government employees based on their roles and responsibilities. The idea is to make public sector salaries more competitive with those in the private sector.
Another bill aims to improve cybersecurity measures and protect sensitive information.
**Other Key Economic Issues**
The Ukrainian government has allocated 570 million hryvnias (approximately $13.5 million) from its reserve fund to cover delayed payments under two important programs: winter support and national cashback programs.
This decision was made after the Economy Ministry said there were operational issues causing delays in these payments. The funding will help ensure that people receive their overdue financial assistance.
The national cashback program, which helps people save money on certain expenses, has been extended for future years. This shows that the government is committed to supporting this initiative.
