Ukrainian Federation of America hosts law professionals

by Michael Komanowsky

PHILADELPHIA - The Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA) works closely with the International Visitors Council (IVC) of Philadelphia's Center for International Development. IVC fosters world commerce and enables foreigners to get to know the U.S. by attending professional meetings, visiting places of interest and staying in American homes during their visit.

Upon the IVC's request, the UFA meets with professional groups from Ukraine which are interested in getting to know representatives of the Ukrainian American community. For example, about half a year ago, members of the UFA held a reception for 15 journalists from Odesa.

More recently, on November 29, 1999, the UFA, the IVC and the law firm Hecker Brown Sherry and Johnson of Philadelphia sponsored a reception for a delegation of 10 commercial law professionals from Ukraine who were visiting the U.S. to closely acquaint themselves with U.S. commercial law. In this effort, the UFA was greatly assisted by Eugene Luciw, a partner of the law firm Hecker Brown Sherry and Johnson, who secured the premises of his law firm for the reception and acted as the host.

After the welcoming remarks by Tom Brown and Mr. Luciw, Vyacheslav Antipchenko, deputy chair of the Mykolaiv Oblast Association of Lawyers and head of the delegation, thanked organizers for their hospitality and presented the official version of the transition of Ukraine into a democratic society which has a Constitution containing ample provisions for the development of commerce and industry.

Mr. Antipchenko said the proper structures have already been implemented within the court system; these deal with property rights as well as with the rights and relations of persons engaged in commerce and international trade.

As an example, he pointed out that the government encourages creation of private agricultural enterprises by exempting them from taxes for a period of five years. This has fostered an increase in agricultural production and has guaranteed an adequate food supply for the country. He encouraged the audience to invest in the economy of the country.

Private discussions among attendees during the reception were lively and covered a broad range of topics, including the recent presidential campaign, events in Chechnya, economic affairs and commercial law.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 23, 2000, No. 4, Vol. LXVIII

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