Upstate New York trade expo on Central Europe spotlights Ukraine (07/18/04)

Upstate New York trade expo on Central Europe spotlights Ukraine

by Roman Omecinskyj

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Senior officials of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, and its New York City Consulate's Trade and Economic Mission participated in a multi-day string of international events held here in mid-May.

In coordination with the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union in Rochester, N.Y., awareness of Ukraine and Ukrainians locally and worldwide was further enhanced starting on Saturday, May 8, thanks to a working visit from the New York Consulate and a Rotary International benefit program for the benefit of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund's Poltava Maternity Hospital Initiative.

It culminated on Tuesday, May 11, with the Upstate New York International Trade Exposition evening banquet hosted by the International Business Council of the Rochester Business Alliance (Chamber of Commerce of Greater Rochester and Industrial Management Council), Rochester Business Journal and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The theme of this year's events was "Trade Opportunities in Central Europe."

The 14th Annual Upstate New York International Trade Exposition and Banquet was a showcase event for the Greater Rochester international business community. This is the first time in the event's 14-year history that the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union (with branches in Rochester, Albany and Syracuse, N.Y., as well as Sacramento, Calif., and assets of over $100 million) or the Embassy of Ukraine participated in this annual international event.

The well-appointed exhibits of the Ukrainian FCU and Embassy of Ukraine, located in prime locations of the exposition hall, with flags of Ukraine and the United States included an assortment of literature, brochures, videos and displays. The Embassy exhibit included AeroSvit Ukraine Airlines, visuals displaying slides from Ukraine's Pivdenmash rocket manufacturing facilities and the international joint venture operations of Sea Launch, which includes U.S.-based Boeing and other participating companies.

Numerous visitors circulated among the 53 exhibition pavilions that included exhibitors from an array of sectors such as banking, telecommunications, high-tech circuitry, manufacturing, chemical, tourism, International Rotary, International Sister Cities, universities and colleges, various federal, state and local government economic development agencies and consulates.

The Embassy and Consulate of Ukraine exhibit pavilion was attended to by Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky, deputy chief of mission and minister counselor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington; Dr. Oleksandr Liakh, deputy consul general of the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York and his wife, Tamara Liakh; Maksym Vdovychenko, consul and commercial affairs officer, Trade and Economic Mission, Consulate General of Ukraine in New York; Kostadin Botev, sales director for North America, AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines in New York City.

The Ukrainian Federal Credit Union pavilion was attended to by Tamara Denysenko, general manager and CEO; Oleg Lebedko, assistant manager; Lydia T. Stevens and Roman G. Omecinskyj staff members; Lesia Telega, second vice-president; and Natalia Shulga, credit union member.

In addition to the daylong exhibition displays, there were three "Doing Business" seminars moderated by Charles M. Goodwin. The well-attended daytime seminars demonstrated a high visitor interest and proved informative. The seminars included "Doing Business in Hungary and The Czech Republic" during the morning segment; "Doing Business in Poland and Ukraine" at mid-day with Dr. Liakh; "Doing Business in Central Europe and Belarus" during the afternoon segment.

Dr. Liakh's oral presentation was augmented with a slide presentation titled "Ukraine, the Center of Europe," which gave the audience a comprehensive array of essential details, including the country's geographic, demographic, political, social, legal and cultural aspects, with particular emphasis on privatization achievements, growing international trade and the expanding dynamic economy.

Dr. Liakh characterized U.S.-Ukraine trade relations as a "sleeping beauty." He underscored the paradox that the United States is the No. 1 provider of foreign direct investments in Ukraine, while Ukraine is ranked 93rd among U.S. trading partners.

Over 600 business leaders and guests, including several local Ukrainian American community business leaders, attended the evening banquet, including senior executives from Bank of America, Bausch & Lomb, Eastman Kodak, HSBC Bank USA and Xerox. The Very Rev. Ihor Krekhovetsky, pastor of St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, led the invocation and benediction.

Dr. Korsunsky of Ukraine's Embassy fluently welcomed the guests in Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Czech and Hungarian on behalf of Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. Mykhailo Reznik. The Ukrainian delegation at the banquet comprised representatives of the Ukrainian government, Rochester Ukrainian American community officials and businesspeople, as well as a large contingent from the Rochester Ukrainian Federal Credit Union.

Dr. Korsunsky congratulated Ukraine's neighbors, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, for their remarkable achievements, along with those of other Central European states that have joined NATO and the European Union. Dr. Korsunsky further underscored that Ukraine is an indispensable part of the European landscape, demonstrating the best economic performance in Europe as well as the world. He invited all the guests to explore the new possibilities for investments and expanded relations with Ukraine.

During the dinner various recognitions and awards were presented - Top International Service Provider, Exporter of the Year and International Executive of the Year.

The keynote speaker that evening was Andras Simonyi, Hungary's ambassador to the United States, who praised Rochester's mix of research and business prowess, and expressed hopes of sharing know-how from Hungary. In counseling patience, the ambassador drew an analogy of recent technology outsourcing to the overseas movement of textile employment 40 years ago. He concluded by stating that globalization has to be a two-way street.

As a result of the newly developed relationships, information exchanges and alliances between the RBA and the nations represented at this year's exposition of "Trade Opportunities in Central Europe" a technology grant was awarded for a new Hungarian high-tech facility in Rochester; and a Project Outreach itinerary is in the planning stages with a delegation of business leaders from the greater Rochester region scheduled to travel to Ukraine, Hungary and Poland in the fall of this year.

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