MYKOLAIV, MARCH, 28th, 2009, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE – International Trade Club members visit Mykolaiv, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The press-service of Mykolaiv Chamber for Commerce and Industry informed the agency about it today, 28 March.

During their visit the representatives of 9 foreign embassies and trade offices, together with a number of international companies met Deputy Governor, Valeriy Topikha. He got them acquainted with the economic situation and the economic potential of the region.

A presentation of a few investment projects was organized for the guests in the Black Sea State University n.a. Petro Mohyla. Among the projects were: construction of sea terminals “Galitsyno”, Yuzhnoukrainsk Wind Powerstation, agricultural production complex (Organic Systems Farming Company), and reconstruction of the recreation complex “Perlyna”.

In course of discussion Director of ESTA, Oleg Astakhov said that the crisis and the fall of hryvnya may even stimulate investment growth into the economy of Ukraine and Mykolaiv in particular. The expert thinks that in addition to the commonly known problems significant fall of the exchange rate of the national currency stimulates growth of import-replacing productions in the most various brunches. The crisis made most enterprises estimate the value of their actives more adequately. All this makes Ukrainian companies more attractive for investors. However, from the point of view of investors, all the positive is spoilt by corruption and non-transparency of decisions of Ukrainian authorities.

Later, also in the Black Sea State University n.a. Petro Mohyla, bilateral meetings of the representatives of Mykolaiv companies and foreign guests were held.

First Counsellor of the Embassy of Poland in Ukraine, Andrzej Grabowski now taking post of President of the International Trade Club assured all the participants the envoys were sure to inform the companies of their countries of what had been discussed.

INFORMATION: The International Trade Club is a social organization uniting the officers and heads of departments for commercial and economic affairs of the embassies and international companies accredited in Ukraine. The club was registered in 1993.