In this crucial time for Ukraine, realizing the complexity of the situation around the country, on behalf of the International Council of Business Associations and Chambers (ICBAC), that encompasses nine foreign trade associations which represent the largest trade partners of Ukraine and UCCI, in total more than 9 thousand companies, we would like to express our strong support for Ukraine, its business partners and for all Ukrainian people
In the conditions of the ongoing pressure on Ukraine, members of the International Council of business associations and chambers, while implementing and adhering to their main mission – representation and protection of business interests of foreign and local investors in Ukraine, are aware of the possible unfavourable consequences for Ukrainian economy that may be caused by the escalation external situation and declare their solidarity in expressing support to Ukraine and in a further common desire to expand and enhance the international trade cooperation with Ukrainian partners, which to date has reached a total of almost $ 50 billion.
We continue working in Ukraine and together with our Ukrainian partners, we will work to strengthen Ukraine’s economic potential and sustainability.Our common goal is to confidently, consistently build and strengthen economic bonds between Ukrainian businesses and partners from other countries, promote a favourable investment climate, and intensify dialogue with the authorities and the government.
The statement was signed by the leaders:
American-Ukrainian Business Council,
British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce,
Canadian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce,
Chinese Trade Association,
International Turkish-Ukrainian Business Association,
German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Ukrainian-Austrian Association,
Swedish Business Association,
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine
On February 16, 2022 the President of the Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce Zenon Potoczny delivered remarks and CUCC position on the modernization of the Canada Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. This was done during the seating of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.
For almost five years, Canadian and Ukrainian businesses and investors have benefited from the provisions of the FTA. Since it came into force on August 1, 2017, CUFTA has laid new foundations for trade, growth, and investment in both countries. According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, in 2021, the volume of bilateral trade in goods between Ukraine and Canada increased by 49.3% to almost $373 million, exports of Ukrainian goods doubled to $144 million, imports of Canadian goods increased by 27.4% and amounted to $228.5 million. And despite having positive dynamics of increasing overall bilateral trade volumes, there is still a lot of potential and possibilities to diversify trade.
Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce conducted consultations with our partners, members and additional stakeholders that benefit from or may benefit from certain new implementations in Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. As a result of our findings, we proposed that Cross-border Trade in Services, Investment, Immigration matters, and elimination of non-trade barriers are areas that would benefit Canadian companies doing business in Ukraine.
Additionally, we emphasized that CUFTA still needs more promotion among Canadian businesses, and CUCC is constantly working towards more awareness.
An informative meeting with the newly appointed Business Ombudsman of Ukraine – Amb. Roman Waschuk, which the Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce initiated, took place today.
The Business Ombudsman Council (BOC) office is the first point of contact for companies seeking redress against unfair treatment. BOC also advocates for the transparency of business practices. It is also worth noting that the Council is being funded from the Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA) managed by the EBRD.
During a lively discussion, participants, mostly members of the International Council of Business Associations and Chambers, had an excellent opportunity to exchange views on business climate and challenges foreign investors and local businesses face in Ukraine and to better understand the BOC mandate and structure.
The Business Ombudsman Council is committed to protecting legal rights of all business entities operating in Ukraine.
‘’In addition to considering individual complaints, we are addressing major systemic business issues that companies face and bring to us. In 2021 alone, we processed over 2000 of appeals and helped businesses save and refund UAH 2,3 bn (USD 88 mln)’’– said Mr. Waschuk
Participants were heads of bilateral chambers of commerce (Austria, Canada, France, Turkey, China and the UK), the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ukrainian World Congress.
“The Business Ombudsman Council has a devoted and respectable leader and with his guidance BOC will be a great resource for business associations and its members wishing to operate in a favorable and fair business environment” – said Z. Potichny, President of Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce.
Canada-Ukraine Chamber joined the #StandWithUkraine campaign by Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
The Campaign is called to show support for the Ukrainian peoples’ right to live free and in peace in their own land.
“The Ukrainian people need our help defending their freedom and their country. Russia’s imperialism is a threat not only to Ukraine, but to European peace and global stability,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “Canada and our allies need to stand with Ukraine and stand against Russia’s aggression.”
For eight years, the Ukrainian people have bravely defended their country against brutal Russian aggression, as Russia once again seeks to colonize Ukraine. Over 13,000 people have been killed, over 1.5 million displaced. Today, Russia is massing troops and weapons near Ukraine’s borders and on occupied Ukrainian territory and threatening to invade further into Ukraine.
On March 15-18, 2022, global real estate players in Cannes will gather at MIPIM (Fr. Le Marché International des Professionnels de l’immobilier – an international fair of real estate professionals).
MIPIM is the #1 Investment event that gathers the most influential players from all sectors related to intelligent urban development, investments in PropTech, infrastructure, and classical and alternative real estate. The event gathers over 26 000 participants, including 6 000 investors, 560 political leaders from 100 countries.
The exhibition has been taking place since 1990. Ukraine has been represented at MIPIM for over 15 years by cities, companies, and various projects. For the last three years, the Ukrainian market has been represented by Kyiv City, headed by Mayor Vitalii Klitschko and supported by the local business community.
For five years now, Ukrainian real estate players have been gathering around the Ukraine initiative at MIPIM (under the name Ukraine at MIPIM), which has become an integral part of participation at investment exhibitions.
“This is an example of uniting real estate players to adequately present the Ukrainian market and the Ukrainian brand in general on the international arena. Our task as organizers is to follow global trends, the focus of international companies, and maintain communication with foreign players to adapt the Ukrainian program to MIPIM,” Principal of the Invest in Projects agency, co-organizer of Ukraine at MIPIM Anna Nestulia says.
Anna adds that critical trends observed in global markets are:
The transformation and digitalization of offices and the urban environment.
The development of logistics real estate.
The growth and diversification of the housing market.
In addition, the topics of ESG (ecology, social responsibility, and governance) and sustainable development remain a separate powerful focus for foreign companies, particularly investors.
www.mipim.com
“In 2022, the exhibition’s main theme will be Driving Urban Change,” says Dmytro Dopiro, MIPIM representative in Ukraine. – The fight for clean air, solving transport problems, comfortable living, working and labor conditions for citizens – the global community will discuss all this at numerous conferences at the exhibition. MIPIM 2022 will take place from March 15 to March 18, and we invite everyone to join the collective stand of Ukrainian companies at MIPIM.”
“The speed of serious transformations in numerous segments of the economy, as well as the importance of eco-systems, is growing at an increasing rate, and such positive changes can be observed in Ukraine as well, – says Yuriy Kryvosheya, President & Managing Partner at Toronto-Kyiv; Head of Supervisory Board of Ukraine at MIPIM. – Taking into consideration the amazing potential of our market, we can and should make proper steps forward to not only participate in such transformations but even to lead such certain positive changes and innovations. Today, Ukraine gives birth to innovative products & technologies, and, often, the property & RE market serves as the infrastructure and platform for their subsequent application & usage. Thus, it is time to move forward onto the next level of overall development in a synergetic manner. MIPIM, in addition to being one of the top global stages for investor relations, provides instruments to the aforementioned improvements and provides exposure to additional ideas, all of which have the potential to launch a positive virtuous cycle. We just need to act, and to do so together!”
Yuriy Kryvosheya, President & Managing Partner at Toronto-Kyiv
Ukraine at MIPIM – who will participate
The composition of the Ukrainian delegation at MIPIM 2022 includes leading companies in the market. They implement innovative ideas and consistently transform the urban environment.
Among the Ukrainian delegates for MIPIM 2022 Promprylad.Renovation, Toronto-Kyiv, TK Property Management, Q Partners, UDP, Altis Holding, LvivTech.City, Dragon Capital, Intergal Bud, Midland Development, Delta, STRIX, M4U Estate, Masnavi Capital, Mandarin Plaza Group, Creator City, STOIC Group, Ol.Factory, One Love Espresso Bar, CBM Forum, Arricano, LUN, KC Hospitality Solutions.
Holiday Inn Kyiv is a special hospitality partner for Ukraine at MIPIM official presentations, conferences, and press events in Kyiv before and after MIPIM.
www.ukraineatmipim.com
Diplomatic institutions, business organizations, and associations support Ukraine at MIPIM. The Embassy of Ukraine in France, EBA, Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, and Ukrainian Real Estate Club is among them. Kyiv City is an official partner for the Kyiv representation.
ЛУН (Lun.ua) has become an exceptional partner and co-host of the events dedicated to investments promotion of residential real estate in Ukraine. This year the company will present its residential real estate outlook on Ukraine for the international business community.
More about Ukrainian projects to be present at MIPIM
Promprylad.Renovation (Ivano-Frankivsk)
Promprylad.Renovation is an innovation center on the premises of an old plant. It focuses on four areas of region development — new economy, urban design, contemporary art, and education. The project follows the impact investing model, where investors contribute to social changes in the region and get a return on investment in the form of dividend payouts.
Promprylad.Renovation
As of January 2021, the amount of investments in the project is over $ 10 million. The number of investors surpasses 1 000 people.
Residents of Promprylad. Renovation is a harmonious ecosystem built on the interaction between all functions.
The pilot floor is a model of what the innovation center will look like in the future. There are both commercial and development functions. This neighborhood already illustrates the importance and effectiveness of interaction in the triangle “community – business-government.”
СЕО Promprylad.Renovation Yuriy Fylyuk says that they see a global trend – ecosystem approach to the projects in the project.
“In conditions of the pandemic, of course, everyone should strengthen both various safety protocols and requirements to have more adaptive and flexible spaces. Thus, during the design of the next stages of the projects, we focus more on these criteria to change and adapt spaces to various needs easy,” says Yuriy
Yuriy Fylyuk, CEO – Promprylad.Renovation
For Promprylad.Renovation teal MIPIM is an opportunity to inspire, learn, and establish new contacts for possible future collaborations.
“As a country in general, we must be present at platforms such as MIPIM to form our position on the world map and to become an active player, in particular, in the development as one of the most critical sectors of the economy of any country.
Promprylad.Renovation is a successful case of attracting many international investors in projects and the city in general. According to the CEO, the team follows strict and clear principles in working with international partners. It is transparency, consistency, and long-term prospects.
Renovation of the Arsenal plant (Kyiv)
It is a renovation and redevelopment of the historical buildings of the former military Arsenal Plant. Today it is the new landmark of the capital city of Ukraine. The dull old area has turned into a friendly public space. Historical buildings got new up-to-date functions meeting the requirements and needs of the residents.
Located in the very center of the capital city of Ukraine, the former industrial area and military giant have become the most attractive place for people today. It offers Kyiv Food Market, coworking Creative States, education center Osvitoria hub, and most importantly, a lot of inclusive, open public space.
“We believe that projects like Arsenal will be successful as they meet the key requirement of the society – social. In terms of investments, it means stable and predicted demand,” says Andriy Semenov, Managing Partner & CBDO of Q Partners.
Andriy Semenov, Managing Partner & CBDO of Q Partners
In 2021 during privatization auction, UDP, in consortium with A Development, acquired Bilshovyk Plant (35 ha of the first Kyiv Machine-Building Plant). In Soviet times, the plant produced stationary machines and equipment for the chemical, coal, oil industries, and subway construction. The production was unique and exclusively custom-made. Now, out of 36 workshops, only two are operating. Part of the property is leased; the rest is simply destroyed.
New owners learn several concepts offered by Ukrainian and Polish architects. Also, the company will involve world-known architects.
Andriy Semenov shared plans for the future of the Bilshovyk Plant.
“We are working now on the key concept of the project, which will include creative, social, and economic components; in particular, we evaluate all risks. A project like this requires a complex approach.”
The realization of such large-scale projects takes about 10 – 15 years.
Metropol Plaza і Metropol Residences (Kyiv)
Metropole is a mixed-use project in Kyiv developed by Altis Holding. The project combines three towers connected by the central green rooftop plaza with Al Fresco-styled terraces and outside gardens making it an authentic vertical village. The project includes residential, offices, retail, and leisure functions. The architect of the project is the French award-winning bureau VASCONI. The architect’s key focus is integrating nature into the heart of the city based on live work play principles. The plaza is dominated by the first in Ukraine world-known UNESCO Artist Hedva Ser “Tree of Peace” standing within the water mirror.
Metropole
According to the principal architect ofthe project, the city of tomorrow will use past patterns, i.e., enhancing close walkable distance between workplace and residence in a district offering a living space mixing retail, workspace, living, and space for relaxation – while engaging a close interconnection between the metropolitan cities worldwide.
Kyiv is a metropolitan city with a stunning historical heart that is challenging the traditional European city by integrating into its very heart green spaces, vast public spaces, and a stunning historical heritage while integrating a new high-rise skyline within its historical compounds.
LvivTech.City (Lviv)
LvivTech.City is a community that brings together leading technology and innovation companies, R&D centers, incubators and accelerators, entrepreneurs, and young startups developing and integrating to create an innovations cluster, a shared ecosystem for urban development. And most importantly, it is an environment of like-minded people, comfortable space, and special services allowing resident companies to focus entirely on work and the capitalization’s growth. We strive to build a system that will facilitate continuous interaction and communication between the residents to achieve a synergy effect in all areas.
LvivTech City
LvivTech.City offers its residents offices, apartments, IT school, and additional services and amenities.
The project’s investor is UFuture, the developer of the projects is UDP, project’s architect is the Polish architectural bureau APA ARA Wojciechowski.
Vitalii Melnyk, Vice President of UDP, head of Innovation Parks Development, is an active participant and supporter of Kyiv and Ukraine at MIPIM.
“We are happy that after several years of a break to present Europe and the world Ukrainian best projects.
We will showcase the first innovative park in western Ukraine, LvivTech.City. Particular focus on how developers ecosystem projects can impact global things such as slowdown of IT labor migration from countries and transformation of the economy from local into innovative, which is the primary goal of the innovation parks we develop.
Our goal at MIPIM 2022 is to present Ukraine as a center of innovations in Europe and demonstrate development projects worth the attention and trust of foreign investors.
You can join the Ukrainian stand at MIPIM. The team of organizers is working on the program and promotion of the Ukrainian delegation at the main investments exhibition which will take place in Cannes from 15 to 18 March.
Заявки на участь у виставці MIPIM тривають. Команда організаторів працює над програмою та посиленням присутності української делегації на головній інвестиційній виставці, що пройде в Каннах з 15 по 18 березня.
Please email us for more information
Dmytro Dopiro, representative of MIPIM in Ukraine, d.dopiro@gmail.com
Our official partner, Holiday Inn Kyiv, provides not only accommodation for their guests but also creates the necessary conditions for conferences, lectures, presentations, banquets, and other events. In October 2021, the hotel held a grand opening of the new conference hall «Malevich», with an area of 105 m2. The hall seats up to 90 people and it is equipped with new technologies: projector and large screen, built-in audio system, climate control system, flipchart with markers, and more. Holiday Inn Kyiv appreciates Ukrainian historical monuments and their authors, and that’s why the conference hall is named in honor of the outstanding artist, Kazimir Malevich. Also, the view from the window on the church of St. Nicholas creates an impression. By the way, at Holiday Inn Kyiv is available another conference hall «Gorodetsky», with an area of 69 m2, that is named in honor of the architect of the majestic Church of St. Nicholas.
For more information regarding the organization of the events at the Hotel, please contact:
Short video summary of 2021 CUCC AGM, CA-UA bilateral trade and investment relations and keynote speakers’ Michael Bociurkiws’ comments on current situation in Ukraine
In June 2021, ZV Development became a member of the Canadа-Ukrainе Chamber of Commerce. It has been engaged in the production of the unique modular houses built using Prefab technology, which gives ZV Development confidence about the Ukrainian products’ ability to create relevant competition in the North American market.
Sergei Samusev, the founder of ZV Development, has given us this interesting interview, where he tells us what inspired him to be a part of an innovative modular construction business in Ukraine and his first impressions of seeing the transportable modular house in Canada.
The difference in the construction market progress in Ukraine and Canada is huge. In your opinion, what has been the main reason for this?
There are a series of mental and historical reasons. They have determined the development vectors of both markets. Talking about Ukraine, there were no correctly formed customer requests in the construction market.
People who have bought our houses had previously lived in multi-storey and private houses. All these buildings had been erected in different periods. Soviet and post-Soviet architecture institutes didn’t pay much attention to the design of private houses, new technologies and materials due to the lack of demand from the customer’s side. Therefore, when demand had increased, it was almost impossible to find a specialist.
Moreover, at that time the builders as a class didn’t exist. Almost all of them came from Kyivgorstroy, the state-owned developer which used existed technologies and materials.
There was also a large difference in the availability of materials in Ukraine and Canada, too. Even 20-30 years ago, it was quite easy for the Canadian consumer to buy required materials and tools such as paint, glue, ready-made standard solutions.
There were no stores like these and no available materials in our country. As a result, it was necessary to produce some building materials manually using available tools. Absence of professionals, materials shortage and other reasons resulted in appearance of abandoned and unfinished cottage townships.
Was these the main reason prompted you to adopt the foreign experience?
Indeed. I realized that solution can be simple: quick development in terms of the construction quality, finishing, and engineering infrastructure. As a start, I began to study the experience of Canada, as well as Germany, Finland, and the USA. It was crucial to find out what was the secret of the construction speed and quality, and what technologies and methods of labour organization existed.
To get the full experience, we even sent our workers abroad and invited some builders from Canada, so that the teams would get used to working together. Once I ordered two American-designed houses, they were kept in two containers. The houses were like a construction set, the complete set included everything we could imagine to build it, including even the nails, gaskets and 110-volt boilers.
Along with these containers, a team of Canadian builders arrived in Ukraine. Later we started to build houses at the same time, two Canadians were responsible for one of these houses, and our construction team of 20 people were dealing with another one. It was a unique experience exchange.
What impressed you the most about Canada’s construction methods?
In Canada, I saw with my own eyes some practical models that prompted me to think about changes. As a result, a new vision of the construction industry’s future was formed. It was incredible to see the whole chunk of a house being driven down a Canadian road, a huge moving structure hanging from a trailer. We had nothing like that.
I realized it was an opportunity to move the construction site to the workshop, so our builders turned into blue collar workers. Construction under the roof solves the multiple external issues in the construction process. People don’t have to work in extreme hot or cold weather, as it affects timing a lot. Quality control is simplified, labour productivity is increased. The employers’ safety issues and material resources preservation are part of the problem solution, too.
What modular objects have already been brought to life by the company?
As a part of modular construction, we have created two prototype projects: the “Sola” capsule dwelling module and the Family five-module house. Half a dozen projects are waiting in line.
“Sola” is a capsule unit and I would say, it’s more of a gadget than a house. This is a transportable living capsule with a high degree of autonomy and many tech features. We are proud to say that all embodiments are made directly at our factory by our workforce. From the lift-and-fold doors, modern solar energy solutions, anti-vandal enclosing surfaces and closing apertures to a robotic arm used to move the TV and the artificial intelligence system – everything was developed and built by our team
Another project, “Family”, looks more like a standard frame-transom house. It’s created using Prefab technology. “Family” is entirely made in the factory, including furniture and decor items. The house construction takes 22 hours, from loading the modules in the workshop to completing installation at the construction site.
What new opportunities do modular homes provide?
The most essential one is the ability to manage space and area depending on the family’s growth and wealth. If changes occur, you can add new bedrooms, offices, gym, sauna, bathrooms, or even entire floors at any time.
The second one is mobility. Our concept allows the house to be pulled apart into modules, transported to another location and rebuilt in a few hours. This will be useful if the family is changing their location and doesn’t want to sell the old house and buy the new one.
This amazing transformation of immobile real estate into movable property also makes a sale much easier. If necessary, the house can be sold the same as a used car to another region, for example. A new house, more modern or designed for different consumer needs, will be erected at the same place in a very short time.
The Canadian market is better prepared for modular products than the Ukrainian one at the moment. We believe our high-quality, Ukrainian-produced modular homes can be in demand on the Canadian market. The understanding of the modular construction benefits in Canada is formed by years of related product usage.
We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Michael Bociurkiw will be the Guest Speaker at the CUCC AGM 2021 on December 8th
Michael Bociurkiw is the author of Digital Pandemic- Covid-19: How Tech Went from Bad to Good. You will have an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book at our event.
Michael is a writer, global affairs analyst and two-time TEDx speaker. His geopolitical commentary is regularly featured on CNN Opinion. Having worked on the frontlines of humanitarian emergencies, he’s become a familiar voice on BBC World Television, CNN, CNN International, Al Jazeera, and Bloomberg Television. His writing has appeared in several media outlets, including: The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, the South China Morning Post, Asia Times, the Globe and Mail and on MSNBC.com. He is the founder and co-host of the popular podcast/vodcast, Global Impact.
Michael is a former spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, and a former global spokesperson for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF). A resident of Sidney, BC, Canada he is of Ukrainian heritage.
Below, you will find Mr. Bociurkiw’s latest article on Belarus border conflict and the military buildup around Ukraine, as well as Mr. Bociurkiw’s website with fascinating articles and podcasts.
‘’In addition to considering individual complaints, we are addressing major systemic business issues that companies face and bring to us. In 2021 alone, we processed over 2000 of appeals and helped businesses save and refund UAH 2,3 bn (USD 88 mln)’’– said Mr. Waschuk
