Yanukovych: Time for Ukraine to become a member of global investment process

13:44

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that Ukraine currently has every chance of becoming an active member of the global investment process.

"The time has come for Ukraine to become an important member of the global investment process," he said during a lunch with Ukrainian and Hong Kong businessmen in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Yanukovych said that Ukraine's potential was enormous.

He noted that Ukraine was one of the world's most industrialized regions.

Among other advantages, the head of state pointed to Ukraine's famously fertile soil, the country's energy potential and huge stockpiles of minerals, aerospace, modern weapons production, as well as highly qualified people, particularly those involved in the sphere of computer technology.

Yanukovych said that until now, Ukraine had lacked stability and effective economic managers.

"A new president, the government and the parliamentary majority have brought stability to the country. And we're pleased to invite you to assume the role of effective economic managers," he said, while addressing the businessmen.

While commenting on the situation in the country in previous years, Yanukovych compared Ukraine to a car that could not start moving.

"Over the previous years of its independence, Ukraine was like a powerful car that could not start moving, because too many politicians regarded themselves as drivers and saw a driving direction in various ways. The driver is now the Cabinet of Ministers, and the driving direction is only one – towards political pragmatism and economic modernization," he said.

Yanukovych described China as particularly attractive to Ukraine not only as an investor, but also as a foreign policy partner.

He said it was an unfortunate fact that there was practically no Chinese capital in Ukraine.

Yanukovych invited Chinese investors, and, in particular, Hong Kong's businessmen, to cooperate with Ukraine.

He said that an agreement on the mutual cancellation of visas between Ukraine and Hong Kong would serve as an additional stimulus to this.

04.09.2010