Meeting with Azarov.

Let me remind you that my position in this regard is simple - the less the state pays attention to the technology business - the better. In addition, because of the presence of a large number of my friends problems with security forces in the country (from the raid, ending banal extortion ) I am very skeptical about working with government agencies. The organizers promised that the meeting will have the status of labor, without cameras, and Azarov will be able to listen to the problems facing the industry and think what it can help.
What of it? .
The meeting was attended by the following people.
Alexander Olshansky - imena, Mirohost, iForum,. Internet Association of Ukraine.
Yasmin Klyuchkovsky - Microsoft.
Paul Seidel - Money 2. 0. Ukrainian Association of Electronic Business in Ukraine.
Roman Khmil - Global Logic Ukraine.
Olga Belkova - Managing Partner EastLab.
Yvette Delicate - Representative. Singularity University.
Well, Your obedient servant,.
Phones taken away, so I will write to memory. Before proceeding to the issues discussed, I want to say that Azarov gave me a good impression as a whole. Answered specifically and in the case. Much like. Much does not match with the picture of the world, I've seen. But he argued sensibly. The main indicator of what would happen. He is ready to discuss all the issues raised and some of them are simply asked to prepare draft laws and regulations, and promised to push it all. Even a named responsible. My skepticism of the existing power can be melted concrete steps.
Further questions were raised and the answers that were given to:.
a. Tax field is interested in many. Replied that a law on preferential taxation sector, it will be adopted in February 2012 and entered into force in March 2012.
2. Construction of techno and industrial parks. Roman said his company plans to gradually invest in building infrastructure, if the law goes into effect. Azarov supported the idea and assured that it would consider allocating land for these activities under the Kiev. I am assured that the most likely in this case some of my friends investors will consider investing in a ratio of 10 bucks for every buck of local investors.
3. taxation. The question of long and heavy. Olshansky tried to translate it into the region of depravity VAT, per se, but, unfortunately, did not find an understanding man who his whole political life has not seen an alternative. Although some points in the speech were glad Azarov. He understands that the VAT on its own - not the best option for our country. A good point was that he agreed that the tax should make a separate unit that will deal with the taxation of IT companies. These units will understand the business that does not give the tax to make decisions that will be easily challenged in court. He promised to reduce significantly the number of inspections (I heard about the planned tax reduction from 60 to 90%, but this issue has not announced ). Separately, asked not to limit tax breaks for companies less than 10 people. Then startups fall under its scope.
4. The siloviki. The most sensitive issue in the industry. Azarov opposed to OCD, the Security Service, Prosecutor's Office intervened in the economy, as such, and in particular in the IT. Preparing a new Code of Criminal Procedure, which expressly forbid them to interfere with such processes. He promised to personally deal with such cases, emphasizing the fact that a lot of confusion going on business, malicious intent on the ground, or punishment does not correspond to violations. Recognizes this problem, which obviously affects the investment climate.
5. The opening of accounts and companies abroad by citizens of Ukraine. In my mind the most painful issue for entrepreneurs. He said that under the existing risks of the economy (a lot said about the structure of the balance of the budget), if such opportunities will be opened, it will cause an outflow of money from a country that badly. Understands the importance of this and promises to work on this. He says that it also affects the investment climate - investors should be able to easily return on investment and output gains. The question got me.
6. education. He promised 100% of the state order for the IT profession in the key institutions of higher education, to increase the number of seats to invite teachers from abroad ( focused on the fact that it's not expensive, but gives a nice effect ). I noticed that all the changes take effect only after six years. Agreed that the area of concern.
7. I drew attention to the fact that most European countries financed the event and cover from 30% to 70% of the budgets for the event level LeWeb, TheNextWeb, DLD. The Russian experience. With questions quickly slid, although in this respect even a couple of million USD would give a good effect.
8. Separately, raised issues of intellectual property. As always, the problems must be solved, and m. Dr..
9. Issues of electronic payments. Any electronic money require banking licenses to companies is expensive for the banks is not interested in such activities. He promised to raise the issue at a meeting with the Arbuzov.
Like everything on the main issues. Talked for an hour instead of an hour and twenty. It looked very positive. I really hope that things will even out of this. If this is not blablabla and if participants are not zaftykayut initiatives. Azarov said that the country's three main priorities - the agricultural sector, energy and IT. The priority is high, but the team that used to work in the resource sector and the industrial sector has virtually no understanding of the business and relevant experience. It would not have happened with the euro as the situation when the budget is, but no result. We look. I am, as always, is very skeptical in this matter. Words Azarov, though encouraging, but very different from the picture of life outside the Pechersk Hills.
Well, as I wrote a dual impression left. It seems, and there is hope, and the like, and doubts. We will wait for concrete.

PS. On the site we called them KM. bloggers. ( although almost all have accounts are in the SE, some Twi, and even a couple of blogs ):) And I very delicately put into the mouth of the phrase ' have passed a number of rock to get used Uryadov zahodіv, yakі є real sketch on Robot pokraschennya IT- sector, zaznachiv . However, in yogo Dumka, alkali Chima chinnikіv galmuyut yakіsnu robot to tsomu napryamku, zokrema zalishayutsya starі admіnіstruvannya Problems of bureaucracy that. ':).