ODESA, JULY, 21st, 2009, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — Alyona Ashurkova, President of National Container Company, Russia, says the administration of Illichivsk Merchant Sea Port is not capable of working with a transparent business organization, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

Ms. Ashurkova stated it today, 21 July, at a press-conference.

“The problems arising with the port, are evidently provoked by the fact its administration cannot work with a transparent business organization, since such a format will not let it avoid tax, customs and fiscal payments. So as we understand the roots of our conflict with the port’s administration lie exactly in this. This is our point of view. And we are afraid the conflict that has now become public may negatively impact Ukraine’s investment attractiveness”, — Ms. Ashurkova said.

“We have put our point of view in writing in a letter to Ukrainian Premier, we have handed it. The letter is open”, — she added.

INFORMATION: Illichivsk Merchant Sea Port is one of the ‘youngest’ on the Black Sea. The Port was erected in the Soviet period in 1960s mainly for sea trade with socialistic countries. It has railway and vehicle approaches connected with the country’s mains. There are several operating ferry-crossings: Illichivsk–Varna (Bulgary), Illichivsk–Poti and Illichivsk – Batumi (Georgia). Cargo operation complexes of the Port consisting of 28 berths having total length 5 thousand 500 metres are equipped with modern cargo-operating machinery.