Microsoft CEO upbeat on Ukraine, urges fight against piracy
Steve Ballmer (center), the CEO of international software giant Microsoft Corporation, visited Ukraine on Nov. 5. During the visit, Ballmer met with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (left) and the nation’s IT professionals.
Speaking to a crowd of IT professionals at a leading Ukrainian university, Kyiv Politechnic Institute, Ballmer spoke of the nation’s promise in the IT industry.
“With more than 200,000 software developers working in Ukraine, including 100,000 students, Ukraine is ready to become a leader in creative designs and innovation. Thus, Microsoft is serious about working with Ukraine,” he said. Ballmer also urged Ukraine to cut down on the use of pirated software, including Microsoft’s operating system.
During talks, Ukraine’s government pledged to legalize software it uses at government offices. (Courtesy)
PricewaterhouseCoopers talks taxes, registration with expats
The Kyiv offices of international audit and accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers held an open-door discussion on Nov. 9 at Kyiv’s InterContinental Hotel, providing free advice to foreigners and their businesses on how to pay taxes and register their operations in Ukraine.
Marc-Tell Madl (center), a partner with the tax and legal department at PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Kyiv office, and Andrey Pronchenko (right), one of the firm’s consultants, are seen in the above photograph chatting with an attendee. About 100 people attended the event, which lasted for several hours.
Durign the event, PricewaterhouseCoopers representatives gave presentations and held informal discussions with attendees. (Oleksiy Boyko)
