About the Congress
During several recent years the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine remained one of the most dynamically growing sectors of the economy. In 2014 the agricultural sector established itself as the major driver of the Ukrainian economy, and became the only sector which demonstrated positive growing rates. According to preliminary data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, in 2014 the general production of agricultural commodities in Ukraine totaled 252`924.4 mln UAH (including plant growing commodities – 177`443.5 mln UAH, animal origin commodities – 75`480.9 mln UAH), against the result of 2013 – 252`859 mln UAH (including plant growing commodities – 175`895.2 mln UAH, animal origin commodities – 76`963.8 mln UAH). But despite the gradual increasing of the index, Ukraine has not yet reached the level of 1990 period, when the fall of the economy started. According to the State Statistics Service, the result of 2014 reached only 93.2% of the 1990 level, but it was 2.8% higher than in 2013.
Ukraine continues strengthening its influence on the world food market. In particular, to date the country is the world leading exporter of sunflower oil, in 2013/14 MY Ukraine confidently entered the TOP-3 of the world largest grain exporters and, according to experts, in 2014/15 MY the country will consolidate its positions. To date the food potential of Ukraine allows feeding nearly 150 mln persons in accordance with the minimum FAO standards. Generally, in the future Ukraine is able to feed at least 400 mln persons.
Therefore, Ukraine has to solve one major problem - attracting of investments. To date in Ukraine not only agriculture needs investments, but also other allied industries. In particular, in terms of increasing of the grain harvest various infrastructure problems will rise - deficit of elevator capacities, motor road and railway fleet. Generally, the required investment volumes for infrastructure development are estimated at over 10 bln USD. In addition, the food industry, animal husbandry, bioethanol industry, etc. are quite promising too. Development of the industries will contribute to the further consolidation of Ukraine's status as the largest agricultural country in the world, and allow realizing its food potential.
Thus, the purpose of the Ukrainian -American Agrarian Congress is to find the required solutions for realization of the agricultural potential of Ukraine, and establish the Ukrainian-American agrarian dialogue, facilitating the exchange of experience and strengthening of the business contacts. The information-analytical agency APK-Inform and the All-Ukrainian public organization Ukrainian Grain Association are the Congress organizers.
In 2014 the USA and Ukraine strengthened their partnership in many directions. At the same time, during the recent visit of Penny Pritzker, US Secretary of Commerce, to Ukraine she stressed willingness of US companies to invest in agriculture of Ukraine. As a result, the Ukrainian-American Congress will start with the round table discussion "Ukrainian-American agrarian dialogue" participated by representatives of Agrarian Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the US House of Representatives, representatives of government bodies, businesses and public organizations of the two countries. To date, it is extremely important to establish the effective dialogue between representatives of business environment and the authorities for further development of the agricultural potential of Ukraine. Formation of transparent rules is the integral part of agrarian policy of any government, which according to market participants, should be formed in the nearest future. In turn, such measures will allow forming favorable and predictable business conditions and, as a consequence, increasing investment attractiveness of the industry. Readiness of the Ukrainian government to realize the necessary reforms, and intentions of the US government to support Ukraine, may become a new and promising stage in the relations between the two countries. Within frames the Ukrainian - American Agrarian Congress there will be presented the agricultural potential of Ukraine, and the US experience in the field of agriculture, especially the grain market. Generally, establishment of the mechanisms of the US grain market functioning in Ukraine will stimulate the further development of the domestic and export markets of the country.
Major topics of the Congress:
- World food security. Contribution of the USA and Ukraine in its formation
- Prospects for investment in the agricultural sector of Ukraine
- Credit provision in the US agriculture, in particular programs of export crediting of the US Ex-Im Bank
- Major agricultural insurance program in the USA and Ukraine
- Biofuels market in the USA and its development. Potential of the biofuels industry in Ukraine
- Genetic research and GMO issues
- Cooperation between Ukraine and the USA in the field of mechanical engineering
- Space research on service of the US
- Development of non-governmental organizations
AgroInvest project of the USAID, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) are the partners of the Ukrainian - American Agrarian Congress.
Ukrainian - American Agrarian Congress is held under support of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy and Development of Ukraine, American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (ACC), Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAK).
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