EBA Western Ukrainian Office Annual General Meeting 2020

04/ 12/ 2020

On December 4th, the Association members had the opportunity to gather in an online-offline format at the Annual General Meeting of the Western Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association 2020: Transformation. The participants had the opportunity to discuss relationships between the EU and Ukraine with Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. Serhiy Fursa, a columnist, investment banker, Dragon Capital specialist in debt securities sales, talked about the impact of the crisis on financial markets and the economys state in 2021. Serhiy Kiral, the Lviv business ombudsman, joined the discussion about Lviv and its economic development. Matti Maasikas mentioned that the trade turnover between Ukraine and the EU has increased by 40% over the past five years due to the Free Trade Agreement. However, this year Ukraines exports to the EU fell by 18% and imports by 11%. Therefore, Mr. Maasikas appealed to Ukrainian businesses to express their wishes concerning export quotas expansion to increase trade, as officials revising the FTA currently. In turn, the Associations members asked the EU Ambassador to assist in including Ukraine in the list of a technical assistance program for the renewal of the EU enterprises equipment. In turn, Serhiy Fursa stressed that Ukraine should remain in cooperation with the IMF, and then we can observe that UAH would not fall too much. Regarding lockdown, in January 2021, it would not cause much damage to the economy as in spring 2020 because we are already subconsciously ready for it, and somehow we understand what to do with it. About the perspectives in 2021, Mr. Fursa stressed that we should not expect rapid economic and investment growth. However, a +/- 4% rise is forecasted due to the populations cash supply and possible external inflows. The retail increase is also observed despite a 5% drop in GDP. Serhiy Kiral, Deputy mayor of Lviv, business ombudsman, spoke about activities during the year and emphasized close cooperation with active Lviv businesses. He also presented an investment project concerning the construction of an underground multi-level parking lot on E. Petrushevych Sq. on the terms of a public-private partnership. Mr. Ombudsman assured participants that cooperation with Associations’ business is an essential asset for building a healthy business environment in Lviv, so he and the local mayor are ready to continue future practical cooperation. An inspiring factor in the event was a letter read on behalf of Dmytro Razumkov, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Dmytro Razumkov thanked the members for the active position in building a healthy business environment in the region. Rostyslav Tistyk read the letter from Mr. Razumkov, Peoples Deputy of Ukraine, who, in turn, noted the importance of the real business existence in the region and its impact on the investment climate in Ukraine. The evening highlight was the results of the Office Regional Coordination Council elections 2021. So, next year the interests of Office Associations’ companies and the strategic direction of the office will be realized by: Anton Podilchak, Managing Partner at Advice Group, Markiyan Malskyy, Partner, Head of the Western Ukrainian branch of Arzinger, Volodymyr Romanenko, General Director at Geberit Ceramic Production, Taras Yurynts, Director at Guldmann Ukraine, Roman Velychko, HIMA Business Development Director in Ukraine. We congratulate the Regional Coordination Council members, wish them practical projects, and exciting events for the members during 2021. Of course, such a high-level event would not have happened without the partners assistance. On behalf of all Association members, we express our gratitude to Arzinger, Freedom Finance, Zaltech, who helped create a festive atmosphere at the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Western Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association 2020: Transformation. Partners

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The participants had the opportunity to discuss relationships between the EU and Ukraine with Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. Serhiy Fursa, a columnist, investment banker, Dragon Capital specialist in debt securities sales, talked about the impact of the crisis on financial markets and the economy’s state in 2021. Serhiy Kiral, the Lviv business ombudsman, joined the discussion about Lviv and its economic development.

Matti Maasikas mentioned that the trade turnover between Ukraine and the EU has increased by 40% over the past five years due to the Free Trade Agreement. However, this year Ukraine’s exports to the EU fell by 18% and imports by 11%. Therefore, Mr. Maasikas appealed to Ukrainian businesses to express their wishes concerning export quotas expansion to increase trade, as officials revising the FTA currently. In turn, the Association’s members asked the EU Ambassador to assist in including Ukraine in the list of a technical assistance program for the renewal of the EU enterprises’ equipment.

In turn, Serhiy Fursa stressed that Ukraine should remain in cooperation with the IMF, and then we can observe that UAH would not fall too much.

Regarding lockdown, in January 2021, it would not cause much damage to the economy as in spring 2020 because we are already subconsciously ready for it, and somehow we understand what to do with it.

About the perspectives in 2021, Mr. Fursa stressed that we should not expect rapid economic and investment growth. However, a +/- 4% rise is forecasted due to the population’s cash supply and possible external inflows. The retail increase is also observed despite a 5% drop in GDP.

Serhiy Kiral, Deputy mayor of Lviv, business ombudsman, spoke about activities during the year and emphasized close cooperation with active Lviv businesses. He also presented an investment project concerning the construction of an underground multi-level parking lot on E. Petrushevych Sq. on the terms of a public-private partnership. Mr. Ombudsman assured participants that cooperation with Associations’ business is an essential asset for building a healthy business environment in Lviv, so he and the local mayor are ready to continue future practical cooperation.

An inspiring factor in the event was a letter read on behalf of Dmytro Razumkov, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Dmytro Razumkov thanked the members for the active position in building a healthy business environment in the region.

Rostyslav Tistyk read the letter from Mr. Razumkov, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, who, in turn, noted the importance of the real business existence in the region and its impact on the investment climate in Ukraine.

The evening highlight was the results of the Office Regional Coordination Council elections 2021. So, next year the interests of Office Associations’ companies and the strategic direction of the office will be realized by:

Anton Podilchak, Managing Partner at Advice Group,
Markiyan Malskyy, Partner, Head of the Western Ukrainian branch of Arzinger,
Volodymyr Romanenko, General Director at Geberit Ceramic Production,
Taras Yurynts, Director at Guldmann Ukraine,
Roman Velychko, HIMA Business Development Director in Ukraine.

We congratulate the Regional Coordination Council members, wish them practical projects, and exciting events for the members during 2021.

Of course, such a high-level event would not have happened without the partner’s assistance. On behalf of all Association members, we express our gratitude to Arzinger, Freedom Finance, Zaltech, who helped create a festive atmosphere at the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Western Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association 2020: Transformation.

Partners