Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

This is a collection of sketches of personalities from around the city in the past couple of months.

Dear Editor,

In the Sept. 11 Kyiv Post article “Foreign investors endure harassment,” the author quotes a source that “only Kazakhstan and some African countries rank worse” in terms of investment climate. If I had not been living and “surviving” already for 13 years in Ukraine, I would, after reading this and some other recent articles of the Kyiv Post, perhaps flee from this country. Or, as a potential new investor, I probably would never enter here and invest my money in Venezuela or North Korea.

Many things in Ukraine need improvement. However, this country is developing. It has come closer to European rules of civilization. Of course, everybody who decides to start a business in this country should be aware that he can not yet expect European stability and a European legal system in Ukraine. He should also be aware that he is a guest and he should be ready for compromises.

The conflict between the Swiss farmer Maurits Stamm and Petro Yevich from RosAgro was presented in the article as evidence that the investment climate in Ukraine has declined to a central African level. By chance, I was able to observe personally how this dispute has developed and escalated since July. I was not present at the alleged incident. I do not know what really happened, and I am neither investigator nor judge.

I became very concerned when I asked some friends why they took sides spontaneously, without first listening to both parties, and I received comments such as: “Why should we have doubts? We know that this is common practice here, it’s not the first time . . .” In other words, if there is a dispute between a Ukrainian and a foreigner, of course the foreigner is always right!?

Why did the author only hear one side, and not give the other a chance to defend itself? Statements such as, so­and­so "could not be reached for comment” are difficult to verify and not easy for me to believe.

Some weeks ago, a German investor who had no idea what had happened felt obliged to send an open letter where he asked all German colleagues to boycott the company of Mr. Yevich. Nobody knows what happened, but everybody calls for action . . . and as a result, the reputation and business of a person is destroyed.

I have no reasons to doubt the personal integrity of Mr. Stamm, but I have also known Mr. Yevich for more than 10 years. In order to avoid misunderstandings, I confirm that he is my customer. But the share of RosAgro in our sales is less than 2 percent. I can confirm that his personal and business behavior has always been very educated and correct, and I have never heard before that he is somebody with “broad­shouldered assistants.”

According Yevich, the dispute is not because Mr. Stamm became a “victim of his own success,” but simply because it is the land of his own grandfathers. I have recommended to Yevich and Stamm to either find an amicable compromise or go the legal route through courts. Knowing Ukraine, I have recommended to both that I personally would prefer the first option.

This one­sided and superficial article is a bad example of investigative journalism. Articles of this quality can even harm the investment climate by contributing to polarization and mutual hate between Ukrainian and foreign entrepreneurs.

We have the European Business Association and the American Chamber of Commerce, two very strong organizations, lobbying [foreign investor] interests in Ukraine. Improving the investment climate is their key mission. The more members we have, the more we can influence. The EBA can not resolve all individual problems, but can certainly help in many cases with advice and networking.

Dirk Rackow

German investor

Kherson Oblast, Ukraine