First UBCC Reception in Ukraine – 11 September 2008
On Thursday, September 11, 2008, Ukrainian-British City Club hosted a cocktail reception on the occasion of the visit of the Delegation of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to Ukraine. It took place at the Studio of Ukraine’s eminent photographer Igor Gaidai in Kyiv.
The Members of British Delegation, participated in the reception included: John Grogan MP (Head of Delegation, Labour Party), John Whittingdale MP (Conservative Party), Lord Harrison (Labour Party), Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Conservative Party), Lord Lea of Crondall (Labour Party). Gerald Howarth MP (Conservative Party), although not a member of the official delegation, was also present at the evening in the capacity of the Non-Executive Director of Landkom International Plc –the biggest foreign investor in Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
From the Ukrainian side the event was attended by Vladyslav Kaskiv (MP, NU-NS), Vladyslav Lukyanov (MP, the Party of Regions), Yuriy Poluneev (MP, BYUT) and Oleh Rybachuk, (Head of the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine in 2005-06).
Other Ukrainian VIP guests included Oleksandr Savchenko (Deputy Head of the National Bank of Ukraine), Kamen Zahariev (Director of EBRD Ukraine), well-known artists Oleg Pinchuk and Sergey Poyarkov, etc.
“Ukraine is a country of tremendous potential and immense intellectual resources”, said John Grogan MP in his opening speech. “Today, many Ukrainian professionals are working in London’s City and they’ve contributed greatly to UK’s economy, legal profession and other fields. And they are the best proof that Ukraine and its people are a great asset to the European community. One day – a day I hope not too far – Ukraine will rightfully be a full member of the EU”. Mr Grogan’s concluded in style by toasting to a Ukraine-England football final at the Euro 2012 in Kyiv.
Emphasizing the significance of bilateral relations between Ukraine and UK, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, UBCC Director and Partner at CFC Consulting, noted: “As the financial powerhouse of Europe, London will always be the key strategic partner for the Ukrainian private sector. London Stock Exchange is fast becoming the main gateway through which Ukrainian companies are entering the global financial system, and I am convinced that evenings such as this are an excellent opportunity to further deepen our cooperation in trade, finance and investment.”
Mr Myroshnychenko’s statement was warmly welcomed by guests representing at the event prominent companies such as Horizon Capital, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deutsche Bank, UkrExim Bank, InvestUkraine, BDO Stoy Hayward, Aval Brok, CMS Cameron McKenna, Magisters, Vasil Kisil and Partners, etc.
The highlight of the evening was the mesmerizing solo performance by Enver Ismailov – a famous Ukrainian folk and jazz guitar-player, who in 1995 won the first prize at the First European International Guitarist Competition.
Some photos from this reception could be found at: http://www.cfcentertainment.com/files/2008_09_12_UBCC_event_photos.zip