A large-scale project of “NIBULON” was recognized as “Investment of the year” of the program “Man of the Year” “NIBULON” gained the victory in this nomination “Investment of the Year” of the 14th national program “Man of the Year – 2009”. A solemn awarding ceremony “Man of the Year – 2009” was held at the National Palace of Arts “ Ukraine” on Saturday evening. This is the second victory of the company in this prestigious and authoritative project. In March 2006, General Director of “NIBULON”, Hero of Ukraine Oleksiy Vadaturskyy was proclaimed “Man of the Year – 2005” in the nomination “Agrarian of the year”. “Four years ago I was on this stage, I won the prize “Agrarian of the year” and I said that you would hear positive things about our company not just once. We worked in the agricultural sector, worked hard, and in two years I was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine. I am very proud of my Star of Hero of Ukraine. I put it on special occasions, and today I have also put it on. I know that attitude towards this title is ambiguous, so I have to work even more in the conditions of crisis. I am grateful to the experts who have recognized our company’s project as “Investment of the Year”, – O.O. Vadaturskyy said during his speech. After receiving the award, he noted that the victory in the nomination “Investment of the Year” of an agrarian company is strategically important and the most difficult. “Today, it is extremely difficult to be an investor in Ukrainesurrounded by all-powerful government officials. I thank the winners in the nominations “Industrialist of the Year”, “Manager of the Year”, “Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Agrarian of the Year”. Still the “Investment of the Year” is the most difficult. We have to face daily with various barriers. You know, we had to fight, and we won in the pilotage of «PREVENTER», which was not allowed to call to the berth of our company during 5 months. I am grateful to everybody who has supported us in this struggle. If you set a goal, if you are struggling, you will always win! I wish victory to everybody”, – said O.O. Vadaturskyy. O.O. Vadaturskyy also emphasized that the victory in this competition is significant to him – it shows that the country should take advantage of its unique climatic conditions, geographical location, excellent black earth, to let the agrarian sector make Ukraine a really rich country. “When we were nominated for “Investment of the Year”, I immediately felt a little uncomfortable. The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about investments are large holdings and the oligarchs. It is they who in the period of financial crisis had to become an example and to be true patriots of Ukraine, to smooth the impact of financial crisis on the economy. But it did not happen. In this situation it is particularly pleasant that despite the enormous challenges and the financial crisis, our company is recognized as the winner in this nomination and successfully implements the largest investment project for the agrarian sector of Ukraine. I am proud of it”, – emphasized O.O. Vadaturskyy. He noted that despite the fact that the company won in one of the most prestigious nominations, officials constantly interfere into his business, impeding the implementation of large-scale investment project. In particular, despite numerous court decisions and the decision of the Antimonopoly Committee, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Mykolayiv Commercial Seaport continue to block the dredging works on the lands of water fund, which are adjacent to the berth of the transshipment terminal of our company in Mykolayiv. This leads to a multi-million losses of the company, reduces the volume of freight and the agrarian sector of Ukraine does not receive additional revenue of 4 billion UAH annually. Also, the arbitrariness and the feeling of permissiveness, became a reason for officials of Mykolayiv Commercial Seaport and Ministry of Transport to block the foreign vessel «PREVENTER» during 5 months. These actions have caused significant damage to the image of Ukraine as a reliable exporter of grain and material losses of the company in the amount of 120 million UAH. During his speech, O.O. Vadaturskyy reminded guests of the ceremony about the company’s victory in the struggle for the vessel «PREVENTER», audience supported him, thereby confirming their awareness about blocking the vessel by officials. O.O. Vadaturskyy emphasized that it was the first time during 14 years of existence of the program “Man of the Year” when the victory in the nomination “Investment of the Year” was gained by agricultural company. The founder and main shareholder of the Group ISTIL Mohammad Zahoor expressed great pleasure with the victory of “NIBULON” and handed Premium “Prometheus-Prestige” to O.O. Vadaturskyy.