Canada to participate in trade mission to Ukraine (04/14/96)

Canada to participate in trade mission to Ukraine

by Andrij Wynnyckyj
Toronto Press Bureau

TORONTO - After months of delays, complicated by constitutional upheaval in the country, the Canadian government has finally announced it will participate in a high-level trade mission to Ukraine.

The announcement was made by Art Eggleton, the minister for international trade, at a March 29 luncheon hosted by the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC) in the Sheraton Center's Civil Ballroom and attended by about 100 of its members. "I accept with pride an invitation that I've received, and repeated today by many people whom I've met, to accompany a trade mission to Ukraine, and the sooner the better," Mr. Eggleton said.

A mission had been scheduled for October 1995, but was called off because of the government's focus on the October 30 separatist referendum in Quebec. Negotiations to keep prospects alive were continued by Serhiy Osyka, Mr. Eggleton's Ukrainian counterpart; Ihor Sanin, head of the Trade and Economic Mission at Ukraine's Embassy in Ottawa; CUCC President Gerald Fedchun; and by members of the Ukrainian Canadian business and professional community.

The minister associated the need to strengthen the opportunities available to Canadian business in Ukraine and vice versa with the contribution made by Ukrainian Canadians in the development of Canada, particularly in the Western provinces. "It is fitting indeed that Canada stands in a position to offer the assistance the Ukraine most needs, for it was Ukrainians... who brought the skills of perseverance and courage when Canada needed them most," Mr. Eggleton said.

The minister also pointed to Canada's record of support of Ukraine, saying his country was the first to extend Kyiv a line of credit.

He said various government-to-government agreements, including those on foreign investment protection and economic cooperation, have solidified trade relations. Mr. Eggleton said Canada is providing about $95 million to some 100 Ukrainian projects involved in entrepreneurial development and technical assistance.

Mr. Fedchun told The Weekly the mission is now scheduled to take place in early September, with a list of participants to be finalized by early July. He pointed out that "we have worked for this a long time."

Diane Frances, editor-in-chief of the Toronto-based weekly, The Financial Post, and a charter CUCC member, hailed Mr. Eggleton's decision as "important."

Ukraine and Partners XX-XXI

One of those who hopes to participate in the upcoming mission, and who is actively involved in strengthening business ties between Ukraine and Canada, is Liudmyla Kozlova, formerly of Ukraine and now living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

She had already paid her application fee and been accepted for the trip that was called off in October 1995, and now looks forward to the Canadian government's carrying through on its commitment.

The 40-ish president of Kozlova Enterprises Inc. has organized the Ukraine and Partners XX-XXI trade show, scheduled to take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center on April 30 - May 3 and dovetail with a "Doing Business in Ukraine" conference on May 1-2.

Ms. Kozlova indicated to The Weekly that 63 concerns, with interests in health and tourism, construction, steel manufacturing, agricultural products, paint producers, alcohol and spirits, as well as Ukraine's Ministry of Fisheries, will participate.

This will include three non-Ukrainian European companies, two Canadian firms (one of which is Petro Canada), and a joint Ukrainian-Canadian venture. Twenty-one companies will have official exhibitor's status.

Ms. Kozlova said the principal aim of the trade show is to bring Ukrainian entrepreneurship to Canada, at their cost, and to maximize exposure for them. Working in concert with one of Ukraine's biggest advertising agencies, Blitz Inform, and through the extensive contacts enjoyed by her partner in Kozlova Enterprises, Ihor Zaks, they vetted a wide range of companies for participation in the project.

Ms. Kozlova said she parlayed her engineering chemistry background into contacts in the early 1980s with a Japanese firm that first exposed her to the idea of trade shows. Having come to Canada five years ago on a family invitation visa from her uncle in Winnipeg, she settled there and soon after brought over Mr. Zaks, a 12-year acquaintance, to help in expanding a business they'd long planned to establish.

"Our company believes that the best way to secure opportunities is through personal contacts," Ms. Kozlova said. "We've learned this by experience, by our own contacts and practices in Ukraine, where we do business."

Ms. Kozlova had high praise for Mr. Sanin, Ukraine's trade representative in Canada. "He was very constructive and shows considerable initiative in contacting the various ministries on both sides," she said.

Six months ago, Kozlova Enterprises secured exclusive rights to distribute Petro Canada's lubrication products in Ukraine. Now, Ms. Kozlova hopes to pass on opportunities open to Ukrainian business in Ca-nada to her compatriots back home. For re-gistration information call 1-800-648-7469.

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