Modernization of Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement

On September 22, 2023 Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce President Zenon Potichny and Vice-President Markiyan Markevych attended signing of modernization of Canada-Ukraine Free trade Agreement by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

The new trade agreement will replace the existing CUFTA agreement, which has been in force since 2017. Here are some of the highlights of the modernized CUFTA agreement:

  • Application of a new liberal method in the service sector – everything that is not forbidden is allowed
  • The protection of business interests has been strengthened through the use of a modern set of legal instruments for investment protection
  • Added section on digital trade between Ukraine and Canada, based on the principles of free and open development of the digital ecosystem of the economy
  • Goods made from parts manufactured in EU, Britain, Israel can now be exported from Ukraine to Canada free of duty
  • Expanded and simplified conditions for the temporary entry of Ukrainian business travelers to Canada for the purpose of providing services

The text of the document is based on the standards of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which Ukraine is preparing to join.

 

Ukrhydroenergo and Aecon Group Inc. sign a Memorandum of Understanding

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the energy sector! On September 22, 2023  Ukrhydroenergo and Canadian Aecon Group Inc. signed a memorandum of cooperation, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership.

This partnership paves the way for the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine, including the Kaniv PSPP and Kakhovka HPP.

The Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC) played a pivotal role as the catalyst for this strategic MOU. Our commitment to fostering economic ties between Canada and Ukraine is unwavering. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and we look forward to supporting and nurturing this unique partnership for mutual growth and prosperity.

We encourage other key players in the market to join hands and explore the vast opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we can create a brighter and sustainable future.

Let’s work together to power the future of Ukraine!

 

CUCC attends a Business Roundtable with President Zelenskyy during his historic visit to Canada

On September 22, 2023 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a historic visit to Canada.

During his address to Canada’s House of Commons President Zelenskyy has thanked Canada for being one of the most longstanding partners and supporters of Ukraine and called upon Canada and its allies to stand by Ukraine as it fights back against russia to protect its freedom.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional $650M in military aid to Ukraine and said that Canada’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and will last as long as it is needed.

During this visit Vice-President of Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce Mark Vytvytskyy had a pleasure of attending a roundtable with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister  Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minisiter  Chrystia Freeland and leaders of Canadian business community Mairead LaveryBobby KwonKyle JeworskiDave McKayAnuj RanjanBharat MasraniNeelam SandhuTim GitzelDeb Barnes.

The roundtable attendees discussed the united support of all G7 countries to create a more secure investment environment in Ukraine, looking at de-risking mechanisms and finding financial instruments that can attract investment and private capital.

Mark Vytvytskyy emphasized CUCC’s role as a platform that connects businesses and government, enabling Canadian businesses, investors, and exporters to actively participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction.

He has also reminded participants to mark their calendars with Rebuild Ukraine Business Conference on November 21-22, 2023 at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto.

Apparel Textile Sourcing Show in Toronto, Canada

From August 21-23, 2023 Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce participated in Apparel Textile Sourcing Show at the Toronto Congress Centre in Mississauga, Canada. ATSS is the largest international sourcing event focused on the Canadian and North American Apparel, Textile, and Fashion sectors. It showcased 200+ exhibitors from the world’s major manufacturing countries supplying the Canadian apparel market with Finished Apparel, Textiles, Fabrics, and Fashion.

CUCC Team organized a Made in Ukraine Pavilion and represented four Ukrainian companies that due to current travel restrictions were not able to represent themselves at the show. These companies include:

Odyssey Accessories – Ukraine – producer of beanies, scarves, sweaters, gloves, and mittens with 100% Lambswool spun in Scotland, Italian Merino blends, 100% Cashmere from Italy, Egyptian cotton, and cotton blends from European spinners, and many more

Tunes – producer of baby sleepers, cocoons, hats and bodysuits.

TwinSocks – producer of children’s, men’s and women’s socks and tights

Mason Trade LLC – manufacturer of bath and household products made of polypropylene threads

CUCC team was honored to represent high-quality Made in Ukraine products that received a lot of attention and interest from the attendees of the Apparel Textile Sourcing Show.

 

New Member – Pharmaxi

 

Pharmaxi LLC is a Ukrainian Сontract Research Organization dedicated to driving breakthrough innovations in the healthcare sector through a comprehensive range of activities and services. The company’s primary focus is conducting clinical research and working with clinical data to expedite the market entry process for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

The main areas of the company’s activities are:

  • Project Management of Clinical Trial and Clinical Evaluation
  • Comprehensive Collection and Analysis of Clinical Data for Clinical Research and Post-Marketing Studies
  • Proficient Medical Writing, Biostatistics, and Regulatory Support Services

Drawing upon Pharmaxi`s extensive expertise in the ever-evolving realm of biotechnology and groundbreaking medicine, coupled with a track record of fruitful collaboration with an esteemed Canadian biotech company, Pharmaxi takes great pride in assuming the role of a trusted partner for CUCC.

The main objective is to foster the advancement of a strategic partnership between Canadian and Ukrainian stakeholders, thus propelling progress and mutual growth.

New Member – K-Mine

We would like to welcome K-MINE at Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce.

K-MINE is where mining expertise meets technological innovation. They are your strategic partner in streamlining mining operations, catering to every stage from exploration and resource estimation to final production.

Their dynamic software modules are meticulously designed to optimize open pit and underground mining processes. They provide solutions for surveying, geological 3D modeling, pit and underground design, blast design, scheduling, and stability analysis.

But that’s not all – K-MINE is equally passionate about service. Their team of experts collaborates with you through Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE), Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), Feasibility Studies (FS), and Detailed Engineering. They ensure a tailored, seamless, and efficient transition from site analysis to production, keeping sustainability and profitability at the forefront.

With K-MINE, you are not just leveraging software; you are embracing a partnership enriched with deep mining expertise, insights, and support, to forge the future of the mining industry together.

 

17th Annual CUCC Golf Tournament

On June 27th Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce hosted the 17th CUCC Annual Golf Tournament at Lionhead Golf and Country Club. We would like to thank all of the participants, who despite the rainy weather showed up and made the tournament a huge success. We raised over $21,000 for Unite With Ukraine and Rebuild Ukraine Conference 2023.

Congratulations to the winners of the tournament Mark Cerkownyk, Eugene Cerkownyk, Al Galvez and Michael Wertelecky!

We would like to thank our sponsors Caravan Logistics LimitedCarpedia InternationalAV-CANADA, Temerty Foundation, Yakaboo, Toronto-Kyiv
Ukrainian Credit Union LimitedBuduchnist Credit UnionRodan Energy Solutions Inc.MNP, Sir Group, Reps Hockey Club, Consultec Ltd.United Stars CorporationMeest CanadaMitchell, Bardyn & ZaluckyBorys ChartchenkoMBC Group Pallett Valo LLPBucket List TravelerWeb4you IncWestland Insurance Group Ltd., Stoyanovskyy Architects, Painting Solutions, A. Komarnycky Professional Corporation, New Pathway for their continuous support and for helping Ukraine fight on the economic front!

 

   

Rebuilding of Ukraine’s Energy Sector – Global Energy Show (Calgary)

On June 13th, 2023 CUCC President Zenon Potichny had a pleasure of attending Global Energy Show and speaking at a panel dedicated to the Rebuilding of Ukraine’s Energy Sector alongside Denis Kudin and Natalia Grebeniuk, EMBA, moderated by Ron Hoffmann. Panelists discussed Ukraine’s upstream potential in energy systems, gas transportation and storage systems, Ukrainian petroleum market and who will substitute existing monopolists.

It was great to see Ukrainian representation by Ukrnafta and Eleks at the Ukrainian Pavilion on the exhibition floor.

We would like to thank Global Energy Show organizers dmg events, David Ghoris, Joel Smith for their support and opportunity to present Ukraine’s potential at the conference, and Petro Petrenko from Embassy of Ukraine in Canada for facilitating this participation.

 

The First Ukrainian-American Forum War Time Economy took place in Kyiv

May 19, 2023, the First Ukrainian-American Forum War Time Economy took place in Kyiv. Over 500 participants from both the United States and Ukraine, including
CUCC’s Vice President Yuriy Kryvosheya and Deputy Director for Ukraine Alla Turos participated in the event. The key topics of discussion were demining the territories of
Ukraine, conflict risk insurance, attraction of investor and creation of favorable conditions for investors. According to the Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, the scale of the mined
territories of Ukraine as for now is comparable to the area of the state of Florida in the USA. The Canadian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce continues to participate in activities aimed
at rebuilding and strengthening partnership relations with all organizations interested in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

We thank the organizers and partners from AmCham USUBC American Institute in Ukraine for the organization, moderation and the opportunity to participate.
@USUBC @AmCham @American House @ Christopher W. Smith, @Kurt Walker, @Dan Rice, @Olexiy Reznikov, @Olexandr Kubrakov, @Vitali Klitschko, @Vitali Kim

Reconstruction in Action Forum – May 16th, 2023

On May 16, 2023 CUCC Deputy Director for Ukraine Alla Turos attended forum-workshop “Reconstruction in Action” which was held in Kyiv. At the forum local communities from Ukrainian cities that suffered from the Russian invasion presented implemented reconstruction projects. The main goal of the forum was to share information about recovery of communities after the de-occupation and ceasefire in their territory.

The mayor of Mykolaiv city Oleksandr Sienkevych was among the speakers. According to the city council, working on projects to restore infrastructure destroyed by the war, the people of Mykolaiv are implementing the best
experience of the European countries — Poland, Denmark, Germany, and Italy. Such cooperation is already bringing real results. The city receives tangible help in the implementation of the short-term projects to restore the
objects of the social infrastructure and the sphere of life support, as well as in the thorough preparation of large-scale post-war reconstruction. With the support of the European Economic Commission of the United Nations, a new
Mykolaiv city master plan is being developed. The Plan will become a base for revival of Mykolaiv and will determine direction of the city’s development for the coming decades.

Vadym Tokar, the Head of the village of Makariv,  presented the recently implemented project as part of the cooperation between the KSE Foundation, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv Regional Military Administration and the KP Makarov Primary Care Centerof the ISR for the complete reconstruction of the Makarov dispensary, which was completely destroyed by rocket fire on March 28, 2022. The newly built dispensary is a great example of the implementation of the “Build back better” principle, which is taken as a basis for the
reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Irpin community was represented at the event by the Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn and Chairman of the Irpin Investment Council, founder of the Irpin Reconstruction Summit project, Volodymyr Karpluk. Mr. Karpluk presented the “Irpin Community Recovery Plan for 2022-2033”. This document describes the analysis and state of the destruction, provides clear figures with a specific list of house addresses, the number of residents and the cost of reconstruction, presents projects for the reconstruction of social facilities and an investment plan. More details about the project here https://irpinhelp.com/en/irpin-reconstruction-summit/