MICROSOFT BECOMES 100th MEMBER OF U.S.-UKRAINE BUSINESS COUNCIL (USUBC)
 
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 18, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Microsoft, the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions, has been approved as the 100th member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), according to its executive committee, in an announcement on behalf of the entire USUBC membership, issued at the USUBC annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.  USUBC celebrates the opportunity to name one of the world's best known corporations, Microsoft, as the 100th member.   

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) provides software, services and solutions around the globe that help people and businesses realize their full potential.   Microsoft has 94,000 employees worldwide and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA.

Dorothy Dwoskin, Senior Director, Global Trade Policy and Strategy, Microsoft, Washington, D.C., spoke on behalf of Microsoft at the USUBC annual meeting. She said, "Microsoft is very pleased to join USUBC as the 100th member and looks forward to working with USUBC for the advancement of the Ukrainian business community.  Microsoft is very committed to the Ukrainian market and continues to expand its program in Ukraine."

MICROSOFT SET UP UKRAINIAN SUBSIDIARY IN 2003

Microsoft established its Ukrainian subsidiary in 2003. Since then, the local office grew from 5 to 150 employees developing a local partner ecosystem and raising awareness of Microsoft products in Ukraine.   A recent study by IDC found that for every dollar of revenue that Microsoft earns in Ukraine, local IT companies earn an average of US $26.33.  Microsoft Ukraine has been named one of Ukraine’s best employers in 2007.

Microsoft is an active member of the Ukrainian society. It actively engages with the education and business communities to foster local innovation, to use technology to improve education in schools, and to educate teachers, parents and students about child safety online.

MICROSOFT A SUCCESS STORY FOR AMERICAN-UKRAINIAN BUSINESS RELATIONS

“Microsoft is a success story for American-Ukrainian business relations. We work closely with the emerging private sector in Ukraine as well as the Ukrainian government on a variety of issues, from software legalization to e-government.   Membership in USUBC is a key to building these relationships."
said Eric Franke, General Manager of Microsoft Ukraine.

Franke continued stating, "Working together with USUBC, Microsoft will continue to help build Ukraine’s  local software economy and looks forward to advancing intellectual property rights protection in Ukraine." 

Mr. Franke has headed the Ukrainian subsidiary of Microsoft since December 2007. Prior to joining Microsoft, he ran several telecommunications companies in Ukraine in Russia, including UMC (now MTS Ukraine), Komstar and GTS.  Additional information about Microsoft can be found on its website: http://www.microsoft.com.

PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO CONGRATULATES MICROSOFT & USUBC 

USUBC received several letters of congratulations about USUBC's rapid membership growth the last two years and about Microsoft being named the 100th member from leaders in Ukraine and the United States. 

Letters were read at the USUBC annual meeting from Ukrainian leaders Victor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine; First Lady of Ukraine Kateryna Yushchenko; Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya  Tymoshenko; First Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Vasiunyk; Minister of Economy Bohdan Danylyshyn, and Oleh Shamshur, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States.  From the U.S. side letters were received from the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William B. Taylor and from U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez. 

Oleh Shamshur, Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., read the letter from President Victor Yushchenko to those who attended the USUBC annual meeting in Washington.  President Yushchenko said in his letter to USUBC President Morgan Williams, "Let me congratulate the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council [USUBC] and you personally on the occasion of 100th member joining USUBC, the Microsoft Corporation. 

"I would like to stress that the active efforts taken by USUBC fill with real substance the strategic partnership between our countries. Effective work in the trade and investment sector of a number of organizations, USUBC included, has contributed to a significant growth in U.S.-Ukraine trade.

"I hope that, assisted by the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukrainian and American businesses will expand."
Sincerely yours, Victor Yushchenko

LETTER FROM UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER YULIYA TYMOSHENKO 

"Thank you for your commitment to investment in Ukraine.  Your perseverance in working in our country, in some cases over many years, is critical to Ukraine’s economic and commercial development.  The engagement of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) promotes the right business practices, and indeed, along with the European Business Association and the US Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, has been instrumental in the design and implementation of BYuT’s “Contract with Investors," Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko wrote in her letter to USUBC of December 16, 2008.
 
"While the road toward transparency and rule of law that supports sustainable investment is a difficult one, especially in a global environment with such grave challenges, you have my commitment to continue to work to this end.  Our work in government is to create the framework so that all foreign and domestic investors can operate in confidence. 

"Despite the political and financial turmoil, we have accomplished significant gains in refunding long overdue VAT refunds, progressed in our efforts to adopt a Joint Company Stock Law and we expect that the OPIC dispute will be resolved in the coming days.  But we have much more work to do.
 
"I would ask that each and every one of you work in a transparent manner that conforms to Ukrainian and U.S. law, and in accordance with the best practices of the American business culture.  Ukraine can gain much from your engagement; as American business has so often done globally.  I ask you to lead by example in your business practices.
 
"Again, my compliments to USUBC on its growth and my wishes for its continued success."

FIRST LADY KATERYNA YUSHCHENKO 

Ukraine's First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko wrote in her letter to USUBC, "I am delighted to hear that Microsoft has become the 100th member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.  Your dynamic and dedicated leadership has more than quadrupled membership in the Council over the past two years.

We are proud that many prominent American businesses who have been active on the Ukrainian market are now expanding their work and that others are
entering Ukraine's economy at such a fast pace.

U.S. companies have been in the forefront not only in investment in Ukraine, but have also served as excellent examples of corporate responsibility. We are grateful for their extensive involvement in so many different areas of Ukraine's development, and their commitment to improving the lives of Ukrainian citizens. 

We encourage all the USUBC members to continue to invest in Ukraine's future by supporting our health, education, cultural and arts organizations.  This is particularly necessary now, as the less fortunate sectors of our society particularly feel the brunt of the world and national financial crisis." Respectively, Kateryna Yushchenko

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IVAN VASIUNYK

"On behalf of the Government of Ukraine I would like to congratulate the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council and its President Mr. Morgan Williams on admitting the 100th members into its ranks.  Since its inception thirteen years ago USUBC emerged as one of the most active and consistent promoters of closer business ties and trade relations between Ukraine and the U.S., " Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Vasiunyk wrote in a letter to USUBC dated December 17. 

"The recent substantial growth in its membership is a sign of the Council's recognition within the U.S. business community as an effective advocate of its interests.

"USUBC also plays an instrumental role in facilitating contacts between the U.S. businesses and Ukrainain government officials.  This allows to identify and realize key investments and trade opportunities benefiting both the U.S. and Ukraine.

"Currently Ukraine is embarking on a major modernization project in order to prepare its major cities to host the soccer games of Euro Cup in 2012.  This requires active involvement of private investors willing to help the Government of Ukraine build new infrastructure objects, including airport terminals, roads and hotels.  USUBC can play its part by informing its members about the Government's business plans for EURO-2012 and by engaging
major businesses into their implementation." 

"I would like to wish USUBC and all of its members further success in your activities and hope that you will sieze on all of the new lucrative opportunities Ukraine has to offer."   Sincerely, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Ivan Vasiunyk  

MINISTER OF ECONOMY OF UKRAINE BOHDAN DANYLYSHYN

"On behalf of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and on my own behalf let me congratulate the USUBC [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council] on the occasion of its 100th member, Microsoft," the Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Bohdan Danylyshyn, wrote in his letter to USUBC on December 17, 2008. "Being an active player in the international business life, USUBC has successfully enrolled for cooperation a large number of world-famous companies."

Minister Danylyshyn continued, "I would especially like to emphasize the role of the USUBC in organizing of the 1st Bilateral Business Forum held within the framework of the founding session of the Ukraine-U.S. Council on Trade and Investment in October 2008 in Kyiv [Ministry of Economy and USTR]. We note with pleasure that close ties are being formed between the business circles and governments of our countries that open new avenues for investment and trade. 
 
"I hope that USUBC’s extensive experience in developing cooperation between government institutions will be handy in the run-up to the Council’s 2nd session due in 2009 in Washington.

"Such cooperation is ample evidence of the soundness of the initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy aimed to attract U.S. companies’ representatives for cooperation with government interagency commissions and work groups responsible for decision-making in the area of entrepreneurship and business environment improvement. 

"I am convinced that mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukrainian and American financial and business circles will deepen the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, expand investment both by a broader presence of US businesses on Ukrainian markets and of Ukrainian businesses on the U.S. markets.

Let me express my deep gratitude to all USUBC members and you personally for your support and wish you every success in strengthening the friendly ties between our countries."  Respectfully yours, Bohdan Danylyshyn, Minister of Economy of Ukraine

AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE TO THE U.S. OLEH SHAMSHUR

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., Oleh Shamshur, wrote on December 12 to USUBC, "I am pleased to congratulate you on this important occasion -- announcement of Microsoft as 100th member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council [USUBC].  This certainly shows the effectiveness of the work that USUBC has done to promote Ukrainian-American business relations.

"In comparatively short time USUBC was able to increase its membership up to five times becoming by far the strongest and largest Ukraine related trade association outside Ukraine.

"I am confident that the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council will continue to successfully promote and strengthen U.S.-Ukraine economic cooperation.  I would like to wish you all the best, good luck in realization of new projects, creative energy, and, of course, many new members.

"Using this opportunity I would also like to send all  members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council my warmest wishes for a Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!"  Sincerely, Oleh Shamshur

U.S. AMBASSADOR WILLIAM B. TAYLOR 

U.S. Ambassador William B. Taylor wrote in his December 15 letter to USUBC, "Congratulations on welcoming Microsoft as the 100th member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.  Companies join your organization because they see real benefits - timely information on the Ukrainian business climate and effective advocacy for reform and action. 

"Your engagement not only helps U.S. companies achieve a real level playing field in the Ukrainian market, but the real results that your organization delivers help improve the overall business and investment climate here. 

The U.S. Embassy appreciates your engagement and looks forward to continuing our joint efforts on behalf of the U.S. business community in Ukraine.  Now more than ever, we need to support it."  Sincerely, William B. Taylor, Ambassador

U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE CARLOS GUTIERREZ

Paul B. Dyck, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia at the U.S. Department of Commerce attended the USUBC annual meeting and read the following letter to USUBC from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez:  "On behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce, it gives me great pleasure to welcome the members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council to the 2008 annual meeting.

"Council members represent some of American's finest companies and play an important role in transforming Ukraine's economy.  The Council's success in more than tripling its membership during the past two years attests to the interests that Ukraine holds for U.S. businesses. I congratulate the Council on the addition of Microsoft as its 100th member, and I support your efforts to build trade and investment ties between the United
States and Ukraine.

"I wish each of your members success in Ukraine and urge your continued partnership with the Department of Commerce as we work together to strengthen U.S.-Ukrainian relations."  Sincerely, Carlos M. Gutierrez

USUBC MEMBERSHIP NOW STANDS AT 100

"USUBC is very pleased to have an important U.S. and international company such as Microsoft as the 100th member" said Morgan Williams, SigmaBleyzer, who serves as president of USUBC.  "USUBC has grown very rapidly during the past 22 months and now has a membership base which allows USUBC to provide its members such as Microsoft with a full-time operation and a significantly expanded program of work," according to USUBC President Williams who is director of government affairs, Washington, D.C. office, for SigmaBleyzer Private Equity Investment Group. 

Microsoft is the 50th member to join in 2008, and the 78th new member since January of 2007. USUBC membership has quadrupled in the past 24 months, going from 22 members in January of 2007 to 100 members in December of 2008.   USUBC added one new member per week in 2008. 

Aitken Berlin LLP law firm in Washington, D.C., along with its subsidiaries, the Homeland Security Industries Association (HSIA) and the Global Development Law & Consulting Group (Global Development), became the 99th member of USUBC. 

Mars Ukraine was USUBC member ninety-eight. Mars, Incorporated is a family owned company, with six industry leading business units – Chocolate, Petcare, Food,  Drinks, Symbioscience and now Wrigley Gum and Sugar. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Mars, Incorporated operates in more than 79 countries.

Pratt & Whitney-Paton (PW-P), an American-Ukrainian joint venture between the Pratt & Whitney division of the United Technologies Corporation, USA, and the E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute in Kyiv, Ukraine, was USUBC member ninety-seven.  

The new USUBC members in 2008 include MaxWell USA, Baker and McKenzie law firm, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, Dipol Chemical International, MJA Asset Management, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Halliburton, DLA Piper law firm, EPAM Systems, DHL International Ukraine, Air Tractor, Inc., Magisters law firm, Ernst & Young, Umbra LLC., US PolyTech LLC, Vision TV LLC, Crumpton Group, Standard Chartered Bank, TNK-BP Commerce LLC, Rakotis, American Councils for International Education, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, International Commerce Corporation, and IMTC-MEI.
 
Additional new USUBC members in 2008 are: Nationwide Equipment Company, First International Resources, the Doheny Global Group, Foyil Securities, KPMG, Asters law firm, Solid Team LLC, R & J Trading International, Vasil Kisil & Partners law firm, AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines, Anemone Green Capital Limited, ContourGlobal, Winner Imports LLC (Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Porsche), 3M, Edelman, CEC Government Relations RZB Finance LLC (Raiffeisen), IBM Ukraine, SoftServe Inc., The Washington Group (TWG), SE Raelin/Cajo, Inc., AnaCom, Inc., Pratt & Whitney-Paton, AGCO/Massey Ferguson, Zurich, Mars Ukraine, Aiken-Berlin LLP/HSIA and Microsoft. 
 
The complete USUBC membership list and additional information about USUBC can be found at: http://www.usubc.org.

THE USUBC 100 MEMBERSHIP LIST
One-Hundred Members, December 2008
Membership in January of 2007 was 22. 
http://www.usubc.org/members.php