Season’s Greetings
Remembering Anna Kisil
It is with great sadness and grief, we acknowledge the passing into eternity of a charming and kind woman, caring mother, excellent organizer, and a person of a big heart – Anna Kisil.
Her life was full of outstanding achievements; everything she touched transformed into a success. Neither business projects nor community events that Panni Anna worked on had any chance of failure.
Anna Kisil was a longstanding leader and voice for Ukrainian newcomers to Canada and women’s associations, an active member of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, World Ukrainian Congress and Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce. Her tireless work for the benefit of the Ukrainian community in Canada and Ukraine was noticed and recognized by both countries’ governments.
No words may fully express the overwhelming grief due to the loss of a remarkable human, who Anna Kisil undoubtedly was and she will forever remain in our hearts.
We express our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones and mourn with you.
May her memory be eternal.
Key business developments ahead for Ukraine in 2018
By Bermet Talant
Here are the Kyiv Post’s picks for some of the most exciting deals and events coming in the first half of 2018:
4G spectrum auction
The faster 4G — a dream for Ukrainian mobile operators and their customers — may soon come true. The state regulator finally set the date for the auction on the 1800 MHz spectrum, which includes the frequency ranges between 1710–1785 MHz and 1805–1880 MHz. The auction is scheduled for Feb. 26.
Ukraine launched 3G only three years, more than a decade behind European Union countries. But local providers — Kyivstar, lifecell, and Vodafone — are ready to roll out 4G.
New link with Europe
The Beskydy railway tunnel connecting Ukraine with Europe will be open in May, Ukraine state railway company Ukrzaliznytsya announced. The 1,822-meter long tunnel is a section of the fifth Pan-European transport corridor connecting western Ukraine with Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Slovakia. It will boost Ukraine’s trade capacity with the European Union.
New fashion brands
The first store of long-awaited Swedish retailer H&M will open in Kyiv’s Lavina Mall in spring. Leading Turkish retailer DeFacto plans to enter the Ukrainian market with a store in Odesa’s Riviera mall, company vice president Serdar Ersoy told the Retailers Association of Ukraine.
Chornobyl solar plant
The first solar power plant in Chornobyl exclusion zone is being prepared for launch within weeks, Yevgen Varyagin, the head of the Ukrainian-German company Solar Chernobyl, told Agence-France Presse. Located 100 meters away from the new Safe Confinement, installed in 2016, a one-megawatt power plant with about 3,800 photovoltaic solar panels can cover needs of about 2,000 households. Chornobyl zone’s state administration received 60 proposals from foreign companies including Chinese, Danish and American interested in solar developments in the exclusion zone
More flights
A new Ukrainian budget airline SkyUp will start flying in April. The company promises affordable charter flights from four Ukrainian cities to 16 foreign destinations in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Albania, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
In addition, Bulgaria Air launches a direct flight Kyiv – Sofia in February, and Air Malta will start flying to four Ukrainian cities in April. And a Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air keeps expanding its presence in Ukraine, adding Kharkiv to its list. The company also announced two new flights from Lviv to Dortmund starting from March 26 and to London’s Luton airport from May 1.
Privatization start
Sumy-based chemical producing plant Sumykhimprom will be put on sale in February for Hr 248.8 million ($8.7 million). Although 99.99 percent of the plant belongs to the Ukrainian government, it is de facto controlled by oligarch Dmytro Firtash’s companies, according to a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty investigation. In total, the State Property Fund plans to sell its stakes in some 100 enterprises for Hr 22.5 billion, or $773 million, this year.
CUCC Statement on RES sector in Ukraine
- After the Revolution of dignity Government of Ukraine adopted new approach to attract direct foreign investments into renewable energy sector of Ukraine. It offered attractive tariffs on produced solar, wind, hydro and bio energy. This led to more than 5 bln USD investments into this sector from abroad with more than 4 bln USD invested over last two years. These funds where one of a pillars of direct foreign investments into Ukraine.
This being said, in 2020 from March to July Government of Ukraine (Guaranteed buyer) has not been keeping up with its commitments and paid out less than 5% of the total value of produced energy. Moreover, Government intended to retroactively make changes to the green tariffs.
In June 2020 RES sector companies, business associations and Government of Ukraine conducted a public dialogue which led to compromise deal under which green tariffs where lowered. Government committed to pay out all outstanding debts in few installments and continue to pay newly agreed tariff on a regular basis. Law on this matter became affective at the beginning of August. Nevertheless, payments made by the Government in August and September where only partial. What we see is regrettably non-compliance of the Ukrainian Government with its own commitments and obligations.
We urge Government of Ukraine and respective state authorities to address their attention to this and sort out a way to pay remaining debts out. By being able to stand by commitments Ukraine will demonstrate its devotion to principles of open and transparent business conditions as well as meet its deals with foreign investors.
- Another point Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce would like to make is problems that one of our members – TIU Canada is facing.
According to information that was provided to the Chamber one out of four TIU Canada solar plants was disconnected from the electricity grid by Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant. This was made even though Ukrainian law does not allow to disconnect electricity producer from the power grid without its consent. TIU Ukraine and its parental company Refraction Asset Management are seeking immediate reconnection and may bring legal action in Ukraine and Canada to hold the party responsible for disconnection accountable and compensate losses.
TIU Canada is one of the first big Canadian investors in Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi praised the company during the meeting with Economic Club of Canada in the course of his first visit to Canada in July 2019. The President called interested parties to follow an example of TIU Canada and invest in Ukraine.
Undoubtedly TIU Ukraine is a great example of successful direct foreign investment in Ukraine’s RES sector. Company produces and delivers its customers safe and clean power, conducts business transparently and socially responsible. Therefore, we call on the Office of the President and Government of Ukraine to take notice of this situation and keep facilitating and protecting foreign investments in Ukraine. We are willing to organize and conduct a meeting between Government of Ukraine and TIU Canada representatives to discuss the matter and find ways of resolving this issue.
Проект CUTIS та Канадсько-українська торгова палата (CUCC)
Проект CUTIS та Канадсько-українська торгова палата (CUCC) запрошують взяти активну участь у віртуальному круглому столі за участю провідних міжнародних експертів, а також українських компаній, що мають досвід співпраці з канадським бізнесом. Головна мета заходу – надати українському малому та середньому бізнесу практичні рекомендації щодо впровадження відповідальних бізнес практик, які допоможуть вибудувати міцні та взаємовигідні стосунки із канадськими байєрами. Дата: 20 жовтня
Час: 15:00 – 16:30Марія Гузман, провідна експертка ринку одягу Офісу з просування експорту Канади (TFO Canada), поділиться своїм досвідом виводу на канадський ринок компаній, що знаходилися на різних етапах впровадження політик корпоративної соціальної відповідальності (КСВ). З виступу Марії Ви дізнаєтесь:
• Як побудувати довіру та тривалі ділові відносини з канадськими імпортерами?
• Які особливості побудови успішного бізнесу в Канаді?
• Як правильно спілкуватися з канадськими байєрами та яких моментів варто уникати: практичні приклади Майкл Хопкінс (Michael Hopkins), співзасновник та член Інституту відповідального лідерства (Лондон), акцентує увагу учасників на важливості впровадження відповідальних бізнес практик в сегменті FMCG (споживчі товари). Ви дізнаєтесь:
• Які три фактори вибору партнера є визначальними для північноамериканського бізнесу?
• Які ризики для українського бізнесу несе ігнорування політик КСВ?
• Яким чином впровадження КСВ допомагає диференціювати бренд при виході на нові ринки? Ольга Шпепа, координаторка проекту CUTIS, розповість про основні уроки, що отримали українські підприємці, які в рамках проекту виходили на ринок Канади. Як компанії адаптувалися до викликів канадського ринку?Провідні українські виробники-експортери поділяться власним досвідом виходу на світові ринки.На завершення, Емма Турос, голова Канадсько-української торгової палати в Україні, розповість про сервіси CUCC для компаній, що зацікавлені в канадському ринку. Мова заходу: українська/англійська (забезпечуємо синхронний переклад).Реєстрація за посиланням (до 19 жовтня, 18.00) https://bit.ly/2SwRI4kПідтвердження та посилання на вебінар будуть надіслані 20 жовтня
“NOT a woman’s business”
Sometimes it’s hard to get rid of the cliché that there are traditional “male” and “female” professions. According to HR agencies, sectors such as construction, IT, energetics, heavy industry and mechanical engineering, defence and security, metallurgical industry, surgery, shipping, and mining are usually managed by men. The “traditionally female” profession fields include HR, statistics, accounting, education, sales management, communications, art, psychology, and media.
Who would you imagine a metallurgical company is managed by? A charismatic man wearing a tailored suit and a tie. Apparently, 90% of the metallurgical enterprise managers look like that, but not the Energosteel manager…
Allow me to introduce Ms. Liudmyla Kravets, a successful businesswoman.
Liudmyla reveals us her own secrets of success: “Half of our top managers are women. They got their posts thanks to their professional qualities, experience, and ability to make managerial decisions.” Ms. Kravets believes that such a management structure brings more harmony and higher efficiency. Thanks to effective management Energosteel is the second ranked Ukrainian company in the manufacture of steel grinding balls and is successfully competing with metallurgical giants within the industry. Moreover, the company is a successful exporter to neighboring countries, Europe, Latin America, along with exploring the US and Canadian markets.
Gender equality research shows that companies managed by women are more profitable. The metallurgical industry is facing new challenges and an employment crisis. More and more heavy industry companies are transforming outdated approaches to recruitment and persistently looking for women with professional education. Canada is among the countries which actively support and promote women’s entrepreneurship, and works on a diversity principal basis. Why companies have changed their recruitment strategies? It’s important to emphasize a woman’s role in this process. Women are more adaptable by nature. They usually go with their gut feeling, combining their high emotional intelligence with attention to details and capacity for work.
More information about Energosteel achievements and its team is available at http://ukraine-trade-and-investment-portal.com/energosteel/
Canada and Ukraine are expanding cooperation in the ICT Industry
Canada and Ukraine are expanding cooperation in the ICT Industry and we hope that the next revision of the CUFTA (Canada Ukraine Free Trade Agreement) will include trade in services and investments. In the last two years, the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine took an active part in our major ICT show Lviv IT Arena, the largest tech conference in Ukraine and Eastern Europe IT ARENA. Canada is the only country that is allowed to have its national program within the frameworks of this event.
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine – Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (Canadian TCS) in partnership with Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (https://www.cucc.ca/) and Canada-Ukraine Trade & Investment Support Project (CUTIS Project) invites you to participate in the
Canada Program @ Lviv IT Arena – the largest Eastern European and leading Ukrainian IT Forum going 100% online on 8-10 Oct 2020
The registration gives access to all Conference’s activities including participation in the Canadian MeetUp.
We have secured FREE access for all Canadian participants:
- Between 6,000 – 10,000 qualified international participants from several continents
- A two-screen custom-built App to maximize experience & B2B networking (similar to Web Summit’s Collision From Home stream+meetings engine)
- Renown speakers in all 4 conference Tracks: Business, Product, Technologies and Start-ups
- Exclusive B2B, B2C concierge service for all participating Canadian companies*
- “Canadian Meet-Up” 60min event on Day 3 of the Forum – a great chance to dive into big picture Canada-Ukraine relations and local IT ecosystem dynamics**
- Excellent ‘podium’ for engaging with creative, entrepreneurial, dynamic, socially active middle-class Ukrainian and international ICT audience
- For reference: latest speakers line-up here (added daily) and last year’s Arena’s aftermovie
Please, register by filling this typeform – get advance access to exclusive B2B/B2C matchmaking!
Canadian TCS in Kyiv and partners look forward to seeing your name on the list. Your success matters, as we continue to level up bilateral ICT commercial, STI and investment collaboration – please stay tuned***
*The App will allow you to follow speeches, chat, to create chats based on shared interests. A separate group for B2B matchmaking will be set up.
** Canadian Meet-Up will be streamed in a talk-show fun and engaging format and will feature business, politics, STI industry and government speakers.
***Stay tuned for a follow up online event we shall put up in the next 4-6 months. Meanwhile, I attach an outstanding snapshot of the local IT market, courtesy of N-iX.
Webinar for small and medium entrepreneurs. How To Create A Brand For The Digital Era
With billions of businesses trying to make a name for themselves online, having a strong brand is essential to attracting and retaining customers. Many entrepreneurs don’t realize that a brand is broader than a logo and colours. It’s how your customers, and potential customers, experience and remember your company.
The CUTIS project, in partnership with the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a FREE webinar for small and medium entrepreneurswith Jenifer Horvath, Business Advisor at Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (Canada).
Jenifer has over 20 years of marketing, product management, management consulting, and coaching experience. She’s worked with international organizations such as Playtex, Campbell Soup, and EPCOR; Alberta-based organizations such as Alberta Motor Association, Alberta Milk, SAIT and Edmonton Economic Development; and many small businesses and start-ups.
Jenifer works part-time at Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) as a business advisor helping Alberta women start, build and scale their businesses. Besides, she runs her own business, HeartLifted, coaching women to move from surviving to thriving. Jenifer is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) member.
Date: October 7, 2020
Time: 17.00 – 18.30
During the webinar participants will learn:
- what is a brand,
- what are the 10 brand elements and why they matter,
- key things to remember about branding online vs. offline,
- the steps to develop or enhance your brand, and
- how to evaluate your company’s brand and identify areas for improvement.
Free registration till October 6 via the link https://bit.ly/3mFU2UL
Verified participants will receive a link to the webinar on October 7.
Індустрія гостинності і туризму України
Індустрія гостинності і туризму України уввійшла в березні 2020 року у стадію гострої кризи через спалах респіраторної хвороби COVID-19, спричиненої коронавірусом SARS-CoV-2, та введенням органами державної влади карантину, обмежень видів діяльності, заборону перетину кордонів, внутрішніх переміщень, проведення заходів тощо. Це вже очевидно призвело до масових звільнень сотень тисяч працівників та призводить до банкрутств тисяч підприємств і підприємців в галузі туризму та гостинності – готелів, ресторанів, пасажирського транспорту, туристичних підприємств, культури і креативних індустрій, супутніх компаній та постачальніків туристичної галузі. Ланцюгова кризова реакція продовжує невпинно поглиблюватись, зменшуються обсяги споживання і зайнятість у всіх суміжних галузях. Це безпосередньо впливає на економіку і бюджет держави.
Рішення Кабінету Міністрів України від 26.08.2020 за п. 4.9. “Про внесення змін до Постанови Кабінету Міністрів України від 22.07.2020 №641 щодо заборони в’їзду іноземців та осіб без громадянства на територію України та його реалізація призведе до катастрофічних і незворотніх наслідків у соціально-економічній сфері, соціально-трудових відносинах, массового безробіття, в т.ч. молоді та соціально-незахищених верств населення; нівелює інвестиційну привабливість та загострить міжнародні дипломатичні стосунки України.
Враховуючи вищезазначене і надтерміновість відповідальних рішень Спільнота гостинності України просить про допомогу і вимагає:
СКАСУВАТИ РІШЕННЯ КАБІНЕТУ МІНІСТРІВ УКРАЇНИ ВІД 26.08.2020 ЗА П. 4.9. ПРО ВНЕСЕННЯ ЗМІН ДО ПОСТАНОВИ КАБІНЕТУ МІНІСТРІВ УКРАЇНИ ВІД 22.07.2020 №641 “ПРО ВСТАНОВЛЕННЯ КАРАНТИНУ ТА ЗАПРОВАДЖЕННЯ ПОСИЛЕНИХ ПРОТИЕПІДЕМІЧНИХ ЗАХОДІВ НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ ІЗ ЗНАЧНИМ ПОШИРЕННЯМ ГОСТРОЇ РЕСПІРАТОРНОЇ ХВОРОБИ COVID-19, СПРИЧИНЕНОЇ КОРОНАВІРУСОМ SARS-CoV-2” ЩОДО ЗАБОРОНИ В’ЇЗДУ ІНОЗЕМЦІВ ТА ОСІБ БЕЗ ГРОМАДЯНСТВА НА ТЕРИТОРІЮ УКРАЇНИ.
Важливо додати, для кожного з нас очевидно, що ситуація з коронавірусом буде вирішена світовим співтовариством у найближчим часом, однак ми опиняємось у ситуації, коли більшість інших держав підтримують і допомагають туристичній галузі, водночас, відсутність реалізації заходів підтримки провідної у формуванні ВВП і експорту послуг галузі економіки з боку органів державної влади України, відкине нашу країну ще далі назад за показниками розвитку і рівнем життя у Світі.
Долучитись до підписання шляхом заповнення онлайн-форми . Включайтеся. Підтримуйте. Поширюйте. #OpenUkraineNOW
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMnAzOMjRSPnw9EpcdTF-P606j02Me_q4nIlOe0DAlbsaNzQ/viewform Дякуємо Вам за підтримку і розвиток гостинності та туризму в Україні
Join us for a webinar “Doing business in Ukraine: the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement and market opportunities for B.C. companies”
On September 10, 2020, the Government of British Columbia, Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service in Ukraine and Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce are conducting a free webinar.
Please join us to find out more about the Canada Ukraine Free Trade Agreement opportunities, areas of possible interest in trade and investment between Ukraine and the Province of British Columbia.
You will learn:
- What free trade agreements Canada has in place and how to make the best use of them
- How the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) benefits your business
- What doing business in Ukraine looks like
- What current business opportunities await for B.C. companies in Ukraine
- How to turn opportunities into business deals in Ukraine
For registration, please follow the link: https://web.cvent.com/event/5995ff92-4898-493c-ae79-e0fcdc598217/summary?rp=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000