On June 13-14 in Kyiv city there was held the 1st International Business Conference “ABC: Ukraine & Partners”. Its strategic task is to analyze positive and negative tendencies in the development of Ukraine and the European Union economies and to discuss the State Program for Activation of Economy Development for 2013-2014 that foresees a wide range of actions directed to development of practically all spheres of economic activity of the country. The importance of the event was stressed by participation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov and other members of Ukraine’s government, governmental representatives, business, investment, banking, financial and investment institutions; academia and media representatives. The conference consisted of a number of panel discussions, presentations, round tables, plenary meetings. Thus, about one hundred representatives of international organizations, core agrarian associations and business circles took part in the panel discussion “Investment in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. Let’s feed the world together!” The key subjects were to create favourable business environment, access of agricultural producers to financial resources, land relations as a factor of investment attractiveness, and also quality and safety of foodstuffs. Starting a discussion Sergiy Arbuzov mentioned that agricultural development was one of priorities of the government. “Tendencies of the agricultural sector development dictate growing demand for foodstuff. At present agriculture is a strategic sector for Ukraine’s economy. Agro-industrial companies ensure considerable part of export incomings. It allows to create conditions for improvement of financial situation of agricultural companies and to create tens of thousands of workplaces. It is obvious that investment potential of the agrarian sector is not implemented completely. Consequently, the government is ready to increase an amount of foreign investment in this very sector”, he announced. “Now we have 2 main tasks: to preserve our positions in traditional markets and to expand sales geography of Ukrainian products”, adds Sergiy Arbuzov. President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Leonid Kozachenko expressed his conviction that in 15 years Ukrainian agrarians would be able to produce up to 90 mln tons of grain. Such yield volumes would allow our country to take second place among world leaders in grain sale. “The agrarian sector always glorified our country. And we expect such a tendency to continue. At present Ukraine enters the top 5 world leaders in grain export. In the near future we can take second place. Ukraine has won strategic markets in South Africa and Middle East. Countries of this region depend on Ukrainian corn from 30 to 70 %. Ukraine has also increased an amount of grain sale to Europe”, he mentioned. Director of the EBRD for Ukraine Sevki Acuner also considers agro-industrial complex to be Ukraine’s advantage. According to him, the government should develop agribusiness. It should protect investors and investment. This will allow to attract new investment. President of the American Chamber of Commerce Jorge Zukoski agreed with the EBRD’s Director, “The government must pursue a policy directed to qualitative improvement of business environment and investment climate in the country. We would like to see automatic compensation of value-added tax. We would like to see transition from monthly to quarterly accounting and transition to e-accounting and its simplification”. NIBULON’s General Director, Hero of Ukraine Oleksiy Vadaturskyy who participated in two panel discussions “Doing business in Ukraine: how to improve business and investment climate – a common task for the Government and business community” and “ Investment in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. Let’s feed the world together!” stressed that Ukraine’s agrarian sector was a locomotive of domestic economy, “As a manager and company’s owner that has been developing for 21 years I do not have any questions as to investment climate. We assist the government in solving different issues and together with the sector’s management we create attractive investment climate in Ukraine. I drew a conclusion that under any economic and political situation it is necessary to create transparent and socially responsible business. Then you will be able to pass inspections of different supervisory bodies of our country”. “Concerning dialogue with the government, we have such a dialogue and this forum is the best confirmation. If there is a dialogue, there will be mutual understanding, progress, and interests of the investors will be protected. Relations with traders of the Ministry of Agricultural Policy can be an example. This year there have not been any prohibitions and Ukraine has exported just enough wheat so that remains ensure food security of the country. This shows how dialogue between the government and business does well to the country, people, and business”, added Oleksiy Vadaturskyy. NIBULON’s General Director informed about activities of the company in Ukraine and abroad, “Our company has been developing the infrastructure for 21 years. NIBULON is an agricultural company, but it is often positioned as a marine transport company, a shipbuilding company which develops economy. We do not complain, ask for help. We do not tell about investment climate, we have constructed 22 modern complexes, our own fleet and are well known not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. We are invited to construct facilities and to supply food to other countries. Transparency of doing business is the most important for me. Due to this, we always pass different inspections (about 500 ones in 2012). I do not complain about inspection quantity, if you come to inspect – please inspect, we are an open company. While doing business in such a way, we are trusted by the government, Ukrainian and foreign banks. Due to cooperation with the EBRD and other first-class banks, we have created a unique logistics system. I always tell foreign investors and representatives of other countries to help our young country, its members of government to develop investment attractiveness of Ukraine. Let’s risk together, make Ukraine first-class country. And on my side I do everything so that Ukraine be such a country”. The conference has demonstrated readiness of the government to dialogue with business circles both Ukrainian and foreign businessmen. Recommendations of panel discussions will become a basis for projects of governmental decisions and legislative changes in favor of business, innovators, and the state. The organizers assured that the International Business Conference “ABC: Ukraine & Partners” would become annual and develop cooperation of governmental organizations with business leaders in order to search for optimal ways of mutually acceptable cooperation.