Adam Smith Conferences’ 1st Congress “Agribusiness in Ukraine” took place at the Premier Palace Hotel in Kiev from March 31 – April 1, 2009.

We do sincerely thank our participants, speakers, partners and media sponsors for their excellent contributions, support and participation!

For participants the Congress was a dynamic platform for discussions and for finding solutions.

For the market it is undoubtedly a very positive signal.

For us, the organisers, it will become an annual event.

For Ukraine the Congress will aspire to contribute to prosperity and development.

During the Congress, a wide range of issues, from land reform and financing to tax legislation and new technologies, was discussed. Honestly and passionately. With energy, hope and devotion.

The Decision Makers from State organisations (Verkhovna Rada, Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, National Agricultural Chamber of Ukraine) presented their macro prognosis, head of Agriholdings (Mironovsky Hleboprodukt, Astarta Holding, Allseeds Group, Land West Company, Landkom, Ukrzernoprom etc) presented their forecasts and analysis.

Here are several interesting quotations from speakers’ presentations:

“Farmers will drive Lamborghines, not brokers”. Jil Rogers (Eugen Leng, CEO, Ukrzernoprom)

“One cannot fool the land” (Mykhaylo Korylkevich, Chairman of the Board, Group of Companies “Land West Company”)

“Не шукай виходу с кризи. Працюй – выхiд там де вхiд» (Mykhaylo Korylkevich, Chairman of the Board, Group of Companies “Land West Company”)

“Agribusiness cannot afford not to be socially oriented” (Viktor Ivanchyk, CEO and founding partner, ASTARTA Holding N.V.

«Тот, кто был ранее жадным, экономным пессимистом, тот сегодня чувствует себя нормально» (Юрий Косюк, CEO, Myronivsky Hliboprodukt)

“It is of utmost importance to build strong beneficial relationships with farmers. Kraft Foods went from closely supervising every stage of the farming process to being completely confident and relying on local farmers. Miraculous transformation” (Yuri Logush, Chairman of the Board, Kraft Foods Ukraine)

“Farming is a long term commitment” (Andrzej Rozycki, Chairman of the Board – President, Cargill AT)

“We all need a constructive dialogue. Government and Industry” Andrzej Rozycki, Chairman of the Board – President, Cargill AT)

For more information on the Congress and for future developments please contact Aya Nazarova at + 44 20 7017 7451 or write to aya@adamsmithconferences.com