OREANDA-NEWS. September 09, 2010. President Viktor Yanukovych met with representatives of business circles of Hong Kong. Addressing the audience, Viktor Yanukovych said:

Today's meeting, without exaggeration, is of particular importance for me as President of Ukraine, and for my team, which has come with me to Hong Kong.

This is my first state visit to China, and the first official visit to Hong Kong. But mentioning the results of the visit of Ukrainian delegation to China and the meeting with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Sir Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen, I would like to stress appreciation of the atmosphere of new partnership, which is based on an old friendship.

Our countries, so different historically and culturally, have much in common. This is the connection, inherited from the Soviet-Chinese friendship; this is great interest of Ukraine to the Chinese ancient culture and statehood traditions. These are also vast prospects for economic partnership.

As a result, the new and very promising interstate dialogue has emerged at the level of businessmen of both countries.

Ukraine, as you know, has deliberately chosen the vector of market development, and became a WTO member in 2008.

The new class has formed in our country – the class of businessmen, who are committed to free market economy and healthy competition. This class is guided by honest work, rather than by ideology. It is the foundation of unity and new power of Ukraine. State leadership – the President, the Government, the parliamentary majority, relies on this class.

Stability of the Ukrainian government and its unity with the people is a guarantee that the era of political upheaval is over. Ukraine is entering the age of effective reforms. It is also the guarantee of Ukraine becoming more attractive to potential investors.

During most of the years of its independence, Ukraine has resembled a muscle car that still could not move, because too many politicians saw themselves as its driver, and looked in opposite directions. There is only one driver today. And there is only one direction – towards political pragmatism and economic modernization.

After long political wanderings, Ukraine has finally found its inner strength and unity. However, mere inner strength is not enough to return to the club of modern economies of the world. The external power of foreign investment is needed.

Frankly speaking, China is especially attractive external force for Ukraine because this force is tolerant. It will not pull Ukraine right or left. It will not try to convert it to the area of its influence.

China’s influence is economic benefit, respect and the principle of political non-interference. Can we wish ourselves a better economic partner? In addition, China is a power that can bring not only capital, but also the experience of continuous modernization to Ukraine. So I will not conceive the fact that I came here not only to establish political partnership, or advertise new Ukraine as a potential investment Klondike. I arrived here to learn from your experience and your success.

I have discussed these points with Mr. Donald Tsang. I am glad that we have reached understanding quickly.

It is unfortunate but true: Chinese capital, which advances through vast regions of the world and opens up new  opportunities there, is almost absent in Ukraine. The reason is the aforementioned past instability and simple fact that an investor cannot be present everywhere.

There is time and turn for everything. Now, the time has come for Ukraine to become a valued member of the global investment process.

I have already talked about this in Beijing, and will repeat it here. Ukraine is one of the most developed industrial regions. It is the homeland of the world’s most fertile agricultural land. It is the world's largest energy resources transporter. It is the fourth country in the world by number of natural resources’ mines. It is one of the global leaders by number of certified computer programmers. It is the manufacturer of modern rockets and weapons. It is Europe’s gateway to the East, and Asia’s gateway to Europe. Its potential is immense.

Today, it lacks only two things – stability and effective owner. Stability was brought to it by the new President, Government and parliamentary majority, so sharing the place of effective owner is what we invite you to. By investing in Ukraine, you can become a co-owner of its powerful capabilities – industrial, agricultural, scientific.

I understand that investors of capital pay attention to deeds, rather than words. That's why I am an optimist, because after a long period of political declarations, the time of economic deeds has come in Ukraine. Come to see that yourselves!

China coming to Ukraine is particularly desirable for us. This is the coming of the most dynamic economic player in the world. This is the coming of the "calm power", which is able to respect the political, historical and cultural specificity of its partners.

So, political message of my visit is extremely simple and frank: deepening cooperation with China and, therefore, with Hong Kong too, advancing our relations to strategic level are our top priorities.

I would describe current situation in Ukraine as a long-awaited turning point – political, economic and investment.

Political – because political instability is replaced with national pragmatism.

Economic – because from now on, Ukraine's success will be measured by economic advancement, not words.

As for the importance of contemporary moment in terms of investment, it is determined by coincidence of a number of circumstances. Among them is the aforementioned political stability, as well as other things. Such as the fact, that Ukraine has become a giant construction site of preparation for the European Football Championship in 2012. And Ukraine does have football!

International investment capital is a very delicate matter. It does not like political turmoil. It feels the best, where new roads, stadiums, hotels, airports and other facilities are being built under state supervision and with effective state support. It feels the best where there is business to do and people are willing to work.

Besides, I would like to mention that in order to facilitate investment growth, introduce innovative-investment model of development, and ensure public support for investment policy, I have decided to reform the Advisory Board of Investment in Ukraine, transforming it into the Council of Domestic and Foreign Investors. Regional executive authorities will create similar structures on the ground.

According to the relevant Decree, business representatives will be able to consider key issues in the investment process in close cooperation with the President. They will also discuss problems that arise in the activities of foreign investors, will be able to make suggestions on how to improve economic management, introduce best practices of investment promotion policy. Including – in accordance with Ukraine's commitments to WTO.

At the level of central executive bodies, investors will finally be able to consider, openly and transparently, specific profile issues in areas of responsibility of relevant ministries and departments.

I am, therefore, convinced that the interest of investors in Ukraine will be growing in the future. And not only until 2012, but long after.

For example, I see tremendous potential in the Kazakh-Chinese initiative to build a new transport corridor Western China - Western Europe, which will hopefully pass through Ukraine.

This is the greatness of our time and our political era. This is the era of construction of roads, rather than trenches; hotels and stadiums, rather than rocket silos. This is your age, dear businessmen.

And so, let me again warmly invite you to active cooperation with our hospitable country. Our doors are always wide open for guests.

An additional motivation for Hong Kong businessmen to visit Ukraine should become today’s signing of the Agreement between Ukraine and Hong Kong on mutual cancellation of visas.

So we are waiting for you to come to Ukraine with new ideas and projects that we will try to realize together.