on 15 May Ukraine introduced new laws for restricting the movement of foreign citizens in the country. Some see this as a negative step towards protectionism of the labour market. Many expats are concerned, due to the fact that in Ukraine the state agencies are never correctly informed about changes and procedures, so there is never a clear system to follow.
However, I think the new system is a positive step to ensure that any foreign citizens who are living here are 'legal' and they have gone through the correct processes to obtain work permits and residency status. During the past few days many expats living here have contacted me for help. Many of them live here on a normal multiple entry visa, but some of them 'work' or do some 'business' without having work permits. So I decided to introduce a special service from the BBCU to help these people who needed to become legally employed and be provided with the correct documents.
The new rules mean that a foreign citizen can only stay in Ukraine for a maximum of 180 days out of 365 per year. The ONLY way to remain longer is to have a work permit with temporary residents status, which is usally for one year, or to obtain Permanent Residency Status.
Because this is Ukraine, many of the new rules have not been thought through correctly.
For example it would appear that the law makers completely forgot about spouses and children of expats living and working in Ukraine.
However, I still think its a positive step. Ukrainians certainly know how to endure the hardships of going through a strict employment process as foreign citizens in EU states and in particular in the UK. So, I'm advising my expat friends who are not 'legal' in Ukraine to stop complaining and just do things as per the rule of law.
I met with the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, this week and he informed me that they too are taking this very seriously and helping their citizens to get on the right side of the law. (AMCHAM have 5 times more in their staff team than the BBCU).
30 May 2009
Business Opportunities in Ukraine - Networking Meeting
On 28 May we held another succesful networking meeting together with the International Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. 72 people attended.
Our guest speakers were: Vladimir Mikhailov, First Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of ICC Ukraine and Ihor Shevliakov an economist from the International Centre of Policy Studies (Ukraine Think Tank).
Generally it was agreed that we will still have a difficult year in Ukraine and many investors are waiting for the results of the Presidential elections, however, a feeling of optimism was shared regarding the prospects for opportunities late 2009 and through 2010.
Our guest speakers were: Vladimir Mikhailov, First Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of ICC Ukraine and Ihor Shevliakov an economist from the International Centre of Policy Studies (Ukraine Think Tank).
Generally it was agreed that we will still have a difficult year in Ukraine and many investors are waiting for the results of the Presidential elections, however, a feeling of optimism was shared regarding the prospects for opportunities late 2009 and through 2010.
24 May 2009
Charity Auction a great success
Last night we held a charity event to raise money for the Kharkov Childrens Cancer Clinic.
Supported by many of our partners including: IDISA Clinic, Open Up Communications, EBA, Kyiv Lions Club, Radisson SAS Hotel Kyiv, Canadian Embassy, EU-Ukraine Business Council, Engarde Law Firm, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Ol & Rust (Law Firm).
We raised UAH 138,100 on the night via an auction of artistic photos kindly donated by the well know artist Ksenia Shevchenko.
(Other works also donated by the famous artist Oksana Mas, and local well known photographer Leonardo Dixon)
Many thanks to all those involved in organising and planning th event and those supporting the night and also those succesful bidders who purchased artwork at great prices.
The money will go to a good cause.
Supported by many of our partners including: IDISA Clinic, Open Up Communications, EBA, Kyiv Lions Club, Radisson SAS Hotel Kyiv, Canadian Embassy, EU-Ukraine Business Council, Engarde Law Firm, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Ol & Rust (Law Firm).
We raised UAH 138,100 on the night via an auction of artistic photos kindly donated by the well know artist Ksenia Shevchenko.
(Other works also donated by the famous artist Oksana Mas, and local well known photographer Leonardo Dixon)
Many thanks to all those involved in organising and planning th event and those supporting the night and also those succesful bidders who purchased artwork at great prices.
The money will go to a good cause.
03 May 2009
Networking Meeting 29 April - Feedback
Our meeting on 29 April in Kyiv was a great success with 84 people attending.
The Theme: Property Market in Ukraine.
We had presentations from DTZ, CBRE, EFG Property Services and NAI Pickard.
Many members told me later that this was one of the best events they had attended this year.
The Theme: Property Market in Ukraine.
We had presentations from DTZ, CBRE, EFG Property Services and NAI Pickard.
Many members told me later that this was one of the best events they had attended this year.
25 April 2009
Damien Hirst Exhibition in Kyiv
Last night my wife and I visited the opening of the Damien Hirst Exhibition at the famous Pinchuk Art Centre in Kyiv. The usual VIP guests were in attendance, including Pinchuk and many of the so called famous Ukrainians and we met many expats who had been invited.
This is the first time we have seen any of Hirsts 'material' in Ukraine. Fellow brits are only too aware of the reputation that Damian Hirst has established. On display were the usual 'Shark in Formaldehyde', followed by 'sheep',etc etc. The stunning slaughter of the cow exhibit is also there, plus a seperate cows head, with blood and flies etc. Most of the exhibit is concerned with SKULLS, ASH TRAYS and lemons............ Even a collection of Cigarete Butts, a collection of tablets and a display which looked like a display cabinet from Boots the Chemists???
Many Ukrainains were just trying to keep a straight face I am sure!!! I had to pose the question to most of my fellow expats I met at the exhibition: "So what do you think?"The answers ranged from " Interesting" (That sly British diplomatic way of saying it was not so good) to
"No comment" and even "Maybe I am missing something". But I had to remind my friends that Damien Hirst made USD 198 MILLION last year from the sale of a complete collection at Sothebys. (Plus he has made other sums) but this was a record by an artist in one sale.
So, what is it about his 'works'? Why do people pay vast amounts for his work. If as I suspect, the main intention is to SHOCK and cause comment and wide spread discussion, you have to take your hat off to him. BUT IS IT ART? What is ART??
Finally, as usual, my dear wife summed up our visit very nicely:"Its all garbage...just garbage.....lets leave and go for something to eat". So we did.
But a visit to the exhibition is recommended.
This is the first time we have seen any of Hirsts 'material' in Ukraine. Fellow brits are only too aware of the reputation that Damian Hirst has established. On display were the usual 'Shark in Formaldehyde', followed by 'sheep',etc etc. The stunning slaughter of the cow exhibit is also there, plus a seperate cows head, with blood and flies etc. Most of the exhibit is concerned with SKULLS, ASH TRAYS and lemons............ Even a collection of Cigarete Butts, a collection of tablets and a display which looked like a display cabinet from Boots the Chemists???
Many Ukrainains were just trying to keep a straight face I am sure!!! I had to pose the question to most of my fellow expats I met at the exhibition: "So what do you think?"The answers ranged from " Interesting" (That sly British diplomatic way of saying it was not so good) to
"No comment" and even "Maybe I am missing something". But I had to remind my friends that Damien Hirst made USD 198 MILLION last year from the sale of a complete collection at Sothebys. (Plus he has made other sums) but this was a record by an artist in one sale.
So, what is it about his 'works'? Why do people pay vast amounts for his work. If as I suspect, the main intention is to SHOCK and cause comment and wide spread discussion, you have to take your hat off to him. BUT IS IT ART? What is ART??
Finally, as usual, my dear wife summed up our visit very nicely:"Its all garbage...just garbage.....lets leave and go for something to eat". So we did.
But a visit to the exhibition is recommended.
11 April 2009
Ukraine Property Market
Yesterday, I gave a short presentation at the Ukraine Real Estate Club meeting in Kyiv.
I was asked to talk about the attractiveness of the Ukraine market for foreign investors and also the problems they face.
The main attractiveness of Ukraine right now (mostly Kyiv) is that investors can purchase an income producing asset at a greatly reduced price!!!!
However, the large investment groups are staying away from Ukraine and it will be a LONG time before they return. The people we are meeting now are opportunists (and why not) who are looking to see what they can pick up in a market that is getting hungry for business.
I think the prices from the boom years will NOT return in Kyiv and we are going to see more realistic property prices.
The next BBCU meeting in Kyiv will also look at the current situation in the property market and it will be a round table event.
I was asked to talk about the attractiveness of the Ukraine market for foreign investors and also the problems they face.
The main attractiveness of Ukraine right now (mostly Kyiv) is that investors can purchase an income producing asset at a greatly reduced price!!!!
However, the large investment groups are staying away from Ukraine and it will be a LONG time before they return. The people we are meeting now are opportunists (and why not) who are looking to see what they can pick up in a market that is getting hungry for business.
I think the prices from the boom years will NOT return in Kyiv and we are going to see more realistic property prices.
The next BBCU meeting in Kyiv will also look at the current situation in the property market and it will be a round table event.
10 April 2009
Financial Crisis in the UK and Ukraine
This week on 7th April we held another joint meeting with the British Ukrainian Society here in Kyiv. 88 people attended to listen to our guest speakers - Richard Spring MP (Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party) and Igor Mitiukov (Managing Director of Morgan Stanley in Ukraine and previously Ukraine Ambassador to the UK). My personal thanks to Richard and Igor.
Many of our members informed me later that this was one of the best meetings we have had this year.
The outlook for the remainder of 2009 is gloomy in both of the above mentioned economies.Interesting and thought provoking how SO MANY people now work for the government, both national and local in the UK. The salaries of the CEO's of many local authorities outways those of senior managers in large private sector companies.
In Ukraine we have the dual problem of economic 'mess' and political instability.
Ukraine does not have the social support infrastructure as in a developed economy.
I could go so far as to say that 'Capitalism' is supreme in Ukraine and we have more socialism in the UK!!!
We will see what is happening in the property market in our next meeting on 29th April.
Many of our members informed me later that this was one of the best meetings we have had this year.
The outlook for the remainder of 2009 is gloomy in both of the above mentioned economies.Interesting and thought provoking how SO MANY people now work for the government, both national and local in the UK. The salaries of the CEO's of many local authorities outways those of senior managers in large private sector companies.
In Ukraine we have the dual problem of economic 'mess' and political instability.
Ukraine does not have the social support infrastructure as in a developed economy.
I could go so far as to say that 'Capitalism' is supreme in Ukraine and we have more socialism in the UK!!!
We will see what is happening in the property market in our next meeting on 29th April.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)