Eyes on the Prize: AmCham, EBA focused on nation

By Ksenia Bilan

The political infighting that has incapacitated Ukraine's government, precipitated  shifts in the leadership of crucial ministries, and the wrangling over impending elections aren't making the work of the European Business Association and American Chamber of Commerce any easier.   Still, the two organizations primarily concerned with the representation of foreign businesses doing business in this country say they're firmly focused on the better times they both feel lay ahead, while keeping pressure on the government to institute reforms.  

Jorge Zukoski, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, said that one of the chamber's main tasks is "to push forward a comprehensive reform agenda that helps to mitigate the financial crisis in the short term and properly position Ukraine for the resumption of global growth."

Anna Derevyanko, the EBA's executive director, says she isn't troubled by the fact that the people in government frequently change jobs.  The overriding goal is unchanged, she says.  "The authorities change, but business will work here forever," Derevyanko says.  "The authorities are interested in creating a good investment climate and in creating conditions that make doing business easier."

With government officials seemingly engaged in playing a perpetual game of 'Musical Chairs', EBA and AmCham may be two of the few sources of stability in proximity to the government.  Their experience may be as valuable to the public sector as to their private-sector memberships.

One indication of this is the groups' ability to work with those in power at any given time to move legislation forward.  As an example, EBA boasts a contribution to recent laws on private partnerships and on joint stock companies, while the chamber says its fingerprints can be seen on preparation of a matrix for reform of the banking and financial services sectors, and the joint stock company law as well.

That the associations have been able to help bring progress is somewhat at odds with the public perception that nothing occurs without bags of cash changing hands. Zukoski points to AmCham's "successful experience of long cooperation with all branches of the government."

Indeed, the best way to get things done may not be by concentrating on the big names occupying ministerial posts, but by working with the career bureaucrats that do much of the work but who aren't in the spotlight.

"It is very difficult to provide systematic reforms in light of the political instability," Derevyanko says, adding that "effective reforms are possible only when the authorities have a strategic vision of the country's development and enough time - more than a year - to implement those reforms."

The associations' ability to get things done even in difficult times is perhaps reflected by their membership rolls, which have not taken the hit one might expect.

"New companies constantly join the chamber, despite the economic crisis and the challenges faced by the business community," Zukoski said.

His counterpart at the EBA agreed: "During a crisis, the value of effective communication increases greatly. Our member companies are more active. They understand that communicating with other members of the EBA community is even more important for them now."
The present economic difficulties have inspired "new ideas and methods for business development," Derevyanko said. "Where better to obtain experience, than through EBA or a similar association?"