OPINION
THEREAREDOZENSOF
DIFFERENTTYPESOFFEZ
AROUNDTHEWORLDBUT
THEEXPERIENCEOF JEBEL
ALI ISOFPARTICULAR
INTERESTTOUSBECAUSE
THEEMIRATESMODEL
ALLOWSMAINTAINING
STATEOWNERSHIPOFTHE
LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE,
PORTS, ETC., RATHERTHAN
PRIVATIZEEVERYTHING,
WHICH ISOFTENTHECASE
INUKRAINE
Maybe the scientists should join their efforts
todevelop efficient economicmechanisms for
stimulationof science anddevelopment of
depressed regions?
– This year, the Government of Ukraine
allocated approximately 1 billion hryvnias
for implementation of innovation projects
and establishment and development
of Techno Parks allowing production of
intellectual products using the appropriate
benefits. Monocrystals, semiconductor
electronics and other products designed and
made in the Techno Parks in Ukraine have
become famous around theworld. We have
developed extensive experience of Techno
Parks establishment (there are 16 of them
in Ukraine) andwe arewilling to share such
experiencewith the Emirates’ peoplewho are
just making their first steps in this direction.
As for the free economic zones, success
achieved in the Emirates ismuchbigger than
inUkraine. For instance, it wouldbe helpful
if Ukraine borrowed the experience of Jebel
Ali FEZ, whichhas its official representative
inUkraine in the personof Investment and
PrivatizationAssistance Fund. This is supported
by the fact that First Deputy PrimeMinister
of UkraineNikolay Azarov confirmed the
government’s intentions to renew the practice
of free economic zones, inhis recent speech at
the general meetingof theNational Academy
of Sciences of Ukraine.
There are dozens of different types of
FEZ around theworldbut the experience of
Jebel Ali is of particular interest tous because
the Emiratesmodel allowsmaintaining state
ownershipof the land, infrastructure, ports, etc.,
rather thanprivatize everything, which is often
the case inUkraine.
–What are the prospects of students
and scientists exchange programs between
Ukraine and the Emirates?
– In partnership withmany countries of
the world, Ukraine implements student and
scientist exchange programs. We could sign
similar agreement with United Arab Emirates,
which would help develop Ukraine’s and the
UAE’s science, in particular, medical science,
biology, biochemistry, marketing, etc. Today,
there are approximately 300 thousand
vacancies available around the world for
Internet and IT specialists. There are such
specialists in Ukraine and they could practice
in the UAE and even get jobs there if the
Emirates side wishes to employ them.
I would like to note that there has been
a program namedGifted Children inUkraine
for a few years.We use this program to select
talented youths for the country’s universities.
We could send the best children to Emirates so
they could study there. Ukraine is prepared to
receive trainees from the UAE universities.
–Mr. Yatskiv, youare theHeadof the
MainAstronomicObservatory of theNational
Academy of Ukraine.What points ofmutual
contact couldbe seen in this field?
– Today, thewholeworld is coming back to
studies of theMoon. The USA, China and Japan
have renewed their research in this field. The
Moon is the symbol of the Arabworld.Why
would not the Emirates engage in fundamental
and applied studies of this celestial body?
I would like to use this opportunity and on
behalf of the NAS of Ukraine invite the UAE
officially to take part in research, development
and launch pf a joint satellite to orbit the
Moon. Ukraine and the UAE could succeed in
doing things not available to other countries
interested in lunar research. Theoretical part
of thework has been completed, what is
left is the implementation of the theoretical
achievements.
Ukrainian scientists couldparticipate in
establishment of a cultural and educational
space and stellar center that could share
the knowledge about other worldswith the
Emirates’people. Regardless of theweather
conditions, the image of theMoonwouldbe
transmitted to the Earth and all the details of its
movement wouldbe reflected.We know that
this is very important for theArabworld.
As the Director of theMain Astronomic
Observatory of Ukraine, I can say that
Ukrainian scientists work on the search for
new small planets, which are then named
after famous Ukrainians. It would be nice if
Emirates joined this work and organized joint
watch of the Universe.
–What in Kyiv couldbe a symbolic
monument togood relationships between the
two young countries –Ukraine and theUAE?
– By 2014, when Ukraine is to celebrate
the 200th anniversary of its famous son
Taras Schevchenko, it is planned to build
Shevchenko’s House in the very heart of
Kyiv. We know, that for the Emirates’ people,
First President Sheikh Saidmeans as much
as Schevchenko for Ukrainians. Therefore,
if the Emirates side wishes so, the new
congress hall in Schevchenko’s house could
be named after this prominent man. Another
option is further development of the existing
Institute of Oriental Studies in Kyiv, with the
assistance from the UAE. All these initiatives,
certainly need serious analysis and review in
Ukraine and in the UAE.
/ Interviewer –YuriyPotashniy /
115
ÍÅÄÂÈÆÈÌÎÑÒÜ, ÁÈÇÍÅÑ, ÈÍÂÅÑÒÈÖÈÈ
BUSINESS EMIRATES
UKRAINE -UAE
