Euro 2012 will show the world all the progress Ukraine has made in recent years, and Ukraine is on track to completing its preparations for this major event. Ihor Dolhov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Belgium, explains, “We are regularly visited by representatives from the European football union, and in their opinion – not just in mine! – Ukraine is on schedule with getting ready for Euro 2012 and is in good shape to make this event a very positive experience for all of Europe.”
Euro 2012 will be much more than a football tournament for Ukraine, since it will draw thousands of visitors (and potential investors) who will see for themselves everything Ukraine can offer for both tourism and business. Ambassador Dolhov points out, “Ukraine has cancelled visa requirements for citizens of Europe and the US, so now Europeans and Americans can easily travel to Ukraine. This was a big step forward for us.”
Ukraine has also made significant progress in making itself more business friendly. “The government is doing an excellent job in cutting red tape and making the business climate here in Ukraine more transparent, not only for foreign investors but also for domestic ones. Ukrainians are now investing in Ukraine. These positive changes are already well known to major players on a global scale,” says Ihor Dolhov.
International investment highway
In fact, more and more Ukrainians are not only investing in their own country but also abroad, further strengthening Ukraine’s international business ties. Ambassador Dolhov says, “We are building an international investment highway and this highway is getting wider and wider.”
Ukraine is particularly stepping up its business links with Europe. Ihor Dolhov points out, “As Ukraine’s Ambassador to Belgium, I can testify to the fact that Ukraine’s relationship with Belgium is very good. Belgian companies are very active in Ukraine, and more and more projects between Belgium and Ukraine are being launched every year. This illustrates how Ukraine’s ties to Europe are getting stronger. We anticipate that the free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU will significantly step up the pace of business and trade between the two markets.”
Ambassador Ihor Dolhov expects to see more and more investment in Ukraine in the future. He says, “Ukraine offers a very experienced labour force at relatively low costs, and doing business in Ukraine is definitely getting easier. Now is the time to invest in Ukraine.”
