Maidan

Good day!
We've read your article and we think that it's possible to invest in Ukraine. If not to invest ukrainian industry - ukrainian scientists.
We want to tell you about the newest technology in cement industry, which was invented and copyrighted by Kharkiv's scientists. And which was "stolen" by crocodiles of this business.
We propose to your attention mini cement-quicklime plants, a number of new technological aggregates,
which make possible to reduce the prime cost of the cement plants in
1,5-2 times in comparison with the foreign analogs,
and reconstruction - existing plants in 3-4 times.
The technical detailes are posted here: http://ao-avers.nm.ru/
Please, send your comments and inquirements at: ao_avers@ukr.net
Thank you for your attention.
Best regards, marketing manager of "AVERS" JSC,
Alexander Borovoy.

Hi. I'm new to this forum, but have read these articles with interest. I've spent the past year in Odessa, mainly from a personal perspective, but am now looking into the possibilities of developing investment links with western companies to develop small and medium enterprises.

There seems to be a fair gap between the thoughts of those who are working hard on the ground to try and attract investment and those who are sitting from the outside who are worried about pledging their money in what is effectively one of the most promising economies around.

Whilst stories are rife about corruption and mafia led activity, there will be no significant investment in this country and the opportunities will simply fall into the hands of those who seek to gain personal profit by any means necessary. It is a crying shame because the vast majority of people want to make the country a stronger place and a country that will compete with a true force in the world markets.

There is no simple solution to this problem - government action is needed to take control over the corruption and the beauracracy which leads to this, economic and legal reform will take time, but is starting to gain momentum. But then there comes the vicious circle - without investment, the development remains dependant upon those who have previously held a tight grip.

It is true, there is corruption through various levels in the administration and through those in positions of power, but this grip is slipping. Now is the time to take advantage. Investment is required throughout all levels of industry and opportunities are abundant. By building a strong competitive base, utilising both western and Ukrainian resource, you develop a new source of strength to bring the country into the international marketplaces.

I love to read the passion with which Terry addresses this issue - it takes people of great strength to stand up and change the way things are done. As Yushenko delivers on his promises, and with people like Terry to hold the hands of western investors, a new power will unfold in the country - that of the people. I look forward to being a part of this.

I am not sure why you were told not to buy in Lviv?

In my brief exposure to Ukraine it was told to me that many residents were given apartments free of charge upon the withdrawal of Soviet support. Also, many Ukrainians resent this withdrawal and the guaranteed jobs and better schools.

I was impressed by the good nature of most of the Ukrainians I met. I was somewhat(okay a lot) sheltered by the fact that I could only communicate effectively with english speaking Ukrainians. For the most part people are happy. Food is very inexpensive as is public transport.

Investors do not get rich by investing in risky ventures. Ukraine is risky, and will be for a long time. Unless some sweeping governmental programs are implemented only mavericks are going to do business in Ukraine. There has to be reliable mail service and roads for shipping goods. Improved phone land lines are needed also. Plus better power delivery...and and and...the list is long.

There is excellent opportunity in Ukraine for manufacturing and industry. Good source of metals and cheap labor market (though a little lazy). Ukrainian produced vehicles are substandard thus the high duties on imports. I do not know why their cars are poorly made except maybe the technology has not been developed???

I am attracted by the real estate market but even now that is starting to be assaulted. The government is already trying to slow real estate investing with the new taxes on foreign investors.

So the question still remains of how to attract foreign companies to invest in manufacturing facilities so that goods can be exported and increase the average workers' wages.

Foreign countries' will send money to Ukraine but that will not go to aid the people I don't think. That money will be absconded with by the government for their own use. US will be happy because they will have an ally in Europe near Iran, and Afghanistan, etc. The average Joe on the street will still not make more than $250 a month...Just enough to get by.

I have been here for months and I haven't seen any corruption. The real estate is very expensive though.

Dear Oksana,
Jeff is absolutely correct regarding our commitment to invest in Ukraine. With God Almighty as my witness, and to Whom I will eventually answer, no mafia, no corruption, whether at street level or highest levels of government, will compromise our efforts.

You don't know me yet, but possibly you will at some point. For now, I will tell you this, with full assurance that I can back up everything I say, in or out of any honest court of law if necessary: I have resisted corruption in Russia and Ukraine for more than five years now, and I will never stop. I have been poisoned and jailed by Russian FSB, November 1, 2000 to be precise, not only for refusing to pay extortion money in exchange for being allowed to do business in Russia (Tomsk), but also for speaking out against corruption in Russia. I would do the same again without hesitation, except that Russian FSB are very, very afraid of me and will no longer allow me to enter the country. That is the only choice such cowards have in dealing with me. I've told them this before, and I say it again now.

Nevertheless, I left behind a large-scale community development project in Tomskaya Oblast (http://www.ri-tomsk.org) that not even Russian FSB could block or prevent, and even Putin himself eventually supported.

In 2002-3, I proposed a similar project in Crimea, Ukraine ( http://www.p-ced.com/crimea ) US Embassy - Kyiv, represented by Mr. Robert Garverick of the embassy's Economic Section, was quick to get behind the proposed $40 million four-year project. At my request, that project was halted after Crimea's Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister required bribes before allowing the proposed project to cross their desks as was required for implementation. The entire process is well-documented in the office of the US Ambassador to Ukraine, US Senate Committee on Intelligence, and to the office of former US Senator John Edwards. In addition, I spoke out in May 2003 in Kyiv Post's editorial section, in an interview on Voice of America-Ukraine (interviewer: Olga Kulish, Washington, DC), and more recently in an interview with International Committee for Crimea ( http://www.iccrimea.org/scholarly/economicdev.html )

As soon as Crimea's Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister as of May 2003 are removed from office, I will request continuation of the Crimea project. There is no point in starting it as long as corrupt officials remain in office, and I will never be quiet about them. There is absolutely nothing to be done to silence me except kill me, and I am not afraid to die in the course of resisting corruption and demanding social and economic justice for my beloved Ukrainian brethren. That made me an Orange Revolutionary almost two years ago.

With the advent of the Orange Revolution -- an event I passionately, desperately hoped for and believed was possible from the hearts of Ukrainian people -- I am now preparing to modify the Crimea proposal to include all of Ukraine. I doubt very much that the US side will dare refuse me, because right is right. The case to be made for Ukraine now demands from any and every conceivable moral and/or strategic imperative that what was first suggested in the Crimea proposal now be expanded to all of Ukraine on condition that each and every local level where any implementation occurs is clear and clean of corruption. It's my work, my proposal, and I've said from the start, many times, on the record in many, many nooks and crannies of US government and elsewhere, that I will absolutely enforce copyright protection to prevent its use except in cases where corruption is disallowed. That is my right under Ukrainian, US and International Law.

Now, Ukraine has a president who is also passionately committed to anti-corruption. Here is the very simple solution to corruption: don't do it, don't participate in it. Mafia cannot collect one kopeck from me because I won't pay it. That is precisely what President Yushchenko is wanting of Ukrainian citizens, and I am certain that many millions of Ukrainians are of exactly that same opinion. If extortion is attempted against me, everyone knows what will happen: it won't be a secret, and I don't think new Ukraine's government is prepared to put up with it. It's the same for every person in Ukraine: if you hit corruption, publicize it, speak out, stand up. Nineteen days on Maidan was the start.

Razom!
Terry E. Hallman
Kharkiv, Ukraine

Dear Oksana,

People like Terry Hallman and myself are already investing in Ukraine and we're doing so not only at the strategic planning level, with a model for community internet delivery, but also at the roots helping a few individuals to create and sustain micro initiatives.

We block corruption by keeping banking activity outside of Ukraine - there is nothing to steal.

I have some ideas for enlarging this, providing necessary equipment for small scales initiatives and developing a web portal for home based industries. Are you interested in talking about it?

Kind regards,

Jeff Mowatt