On the 8th of July, 2011 the transshipment terminal of “NIBULON” in Mykolayiv was visited by representatives of regional offices – the shareholders of “Credit Agricole Bank”. The work and presence of the French bank in Ukraine depends on these people now. “Credit Agricole Bank” is a universal bank, owned by one of the largest financial groups in Europe – “Credit Agricole Group” (France). The Bank has been working in the financial market of Ukraine since 1993 and providing a full range of modern banking services to corporate and private clients. According to the classification of the National Bank of Ukraine the bank is a member of the group of large banks. “Credit Agricole Group” is the recognized world leader in the financial services market, the largest bank in Europe by income level from retail banking business, owns 28% of the retail banking market in France. It is included in the top 10 of the largest global banks in terms of equity dimension and ranks third in terms of total assets. “NIBULON” has been cooperating with “Credit Agricole Group” since 2008. On the 11th-12th of May, 2010 representatives of “Credit Agricole Group” as part of the official French delegation visited the Mykolayiv company and attended the transshipment terminal and “Snigurivs’ka” branch. On the 16th of June management of PJSC “Credit Agricole Bank” visited “NIBULON’s” branches. The delegation consisted of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PJSC “Credit Agricole Bank” François Pinchon, the Chairman of the Management Board Philip Gidez, the Board Member Larysa Bondareva, Advisor of the Board on Agriculture Jean-Jacques Hevre, the Director of the Odessa Interregional Directorate Ruslan Syvoplyas. On the 8th of July, 2011 French delegation decided to visit the terminal of Mykolayiv partner – as an example of successfully functioning company with a modern laboratory, high production quality control, ensuring the best conditions both for employees and for partners of the company. Within the frames of the visit a meeting of representatives of “Credit Agricole Bank” with the general director of “NIBULON”, Hero of Ukraine Oleksiy Vadaturskyy was held. During the conversation representatives of “Credit Agricole Bank” referred to Oleksiy Vadaturskyy with questions that today are the most topical and pressing for foreign investors. The vast majority of them concerned the working conditions and investing in Ukraine for Ukrainian and foreign companies, as well as problems caused by instability of government policy in the agrarian sector of Ukraine. “If you are interested in agriculture of Ukraine, then you can contact us – and we will tell you about everything that happened and is happening now in the Ukrainian agrarian sector” – Oleksiy Vadaturskyy started his speech on the rights of owner. He told about the history of “NIBULON’s” formation, he made special emphasis on cooperation with financial institutions, including French, noting: “We are grateful for the fruitful cooperation to the Banks of France – to our partners (“BNP Paribas Bank”, “Credit Agricole Group”, Natixis and others). In our opinion, it is one of the most powerful banks among all European countries – this is confirmed by the fact that last year’s financial crisis has not almost affected them.” “As to the Ukrainian realias, – Oleksiy Vadaturskyy continued – breakaway from free economic development has recently been noticed, influence of individual state agencies on activity of business has been traced. Our company is feeling the impact of public authorities, including tax, customs and others. For example, we were deprived of quotas on agricultural production export and during five months the company was actually idle. But we went to the law and lawfully defended our rights. So entering the international market, we have to fight even in the foreign market – with state protectionism of its multinational companies. Ukraine, unfortunately, does not provide such support for its companies.” Ukrainian realities have caused misunderstanding and condemnation of the French guests, and then the dialogue developed. “In your opinion, for whom is harder to work in Ukraine – a foreign company or a domestic company?” – the guests asked Oleksiy Vadaturskyy. “In my opinion, it is much harder to work in Ukraine for domestic companies than foreign ones. European companies, developing business in Ukraine, feel support from their country that protects their investments. Despite everything you can face hidden resistance – solving your issues may last for years, you will come across corruption in all echelons of power. Our company has to deal with these manifests every day, making a stand for our rights in the courts. A striking example is export quotas and the process of quota allocation, which can’t be named a transparent one. As a result of such actions of particular government officials both our company and other European companies were denied the right to export grain. Not only big business, but also ordinary agrarian sustains losses.” The guests were interested in financial component of “NIBULON”, and they have heard a substantive response. “Our company has been audited in “Ernst & Young” for more than 12 years. Our annual revenue compiles from UAH 65 to 168 million. In 2008-2009 MY (which is currently the most successful in all our history) we exported about 5 million tons of grain, and revenue of the company totaled USD 1.5 billion.” Talking about plans for further cooperation with financial institutions in France, Oleksiy Vadaturskyy turned the guests’ attention to those requests, implementation of which is expected from foreign financial partners: financing of agrarian sector for 18 months; trade finance in the context of Ukraine must be prepared at least for a year (rather than 3 months – given the government intervention in the free economic development), the duration of investment financing should be 5-7 years. After the meeting, the French partners thanked Oleksiy Vadaturskyy for the warm welcome: “We are very happy to visit this great company again. Representatives from our bank today have been certainly convinced that “NIBULON” is a very progressive company whose activity is aimed at the future. Our bank has experience working with many French agricultural companies and your company has really impressed us”- Advisor of the Board on Agriculture Jean-Jacques Hevre expressed the opinion of his colleagues. “We are the patriots of Ukraine and want a better future for our country, – Oleksiy Vadaturskyy said. – That is why we want to work with you to build the future of Ukraine together. That is why today I am agitating you to cooperate with our country!”