Ukraine greenlights launch of economic security bureau

KIEV — The Ukrainian government has greenlighted the launch of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES), the bureau’s press service said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, the BES will combat offenses that disrupt the functioning of the country’s economy, consolidate the relevant functions of the tax police, the security service and other law enforcement agencies, and cooperate with related departments of other countries.

The law on the Bureau of Economic Security was approved by the Parliament of Ukraine on Jan. 28, 2021, reported Ukrainian national new agency Ukrinform, adding that on May 12, the Ukrainian cabinet established the BEA.

The launch of the BES is a requirement by the International Monetary Fund to continue cooperation with Ukraine.