Ukrainian Business Forum 2018

EDUCATION:

• The Institute of International Relations, at Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University: Master’s Degree in International Law; Interpreter of English
• The Diplomat Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: Master’s Degree in Foreign Policy

EXPERIENCE:

Pavlo Khodakovsky, Partner, heads Employment, Tax/International Tax, Personal Data Protection practices and Insurance, Information Technology (IT) industrial practices at Arzinger.

Prior to joining Arzinger, Pavlo Khodakovsky was Head of the Department for International and Legal Activities, in the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman). He has worked on the development and implementation of joint human rights projects with international organizations like the UNDP, the OSCE and the European Council.

Pavlo has also worked for high rank Ukrainian corporations, in particular in Ukrainian Financial Group, where he was responsible for legal support of various issues of corporate governance, asset management, securities, taxation, etc. Performing respective duties, Mr. Khodakovsky has taken the positions of Deputy Director of an asset management company and Head of the supervisory board of a corporate investment fund.

Pavlo has worked for the Ukrainian Transport Insurance Joint Stock Company, where he handled property insurance contracts.

Tetyana Savchuk is a leading specialist with practical experience in the field of audit and accounting. She has a deep fundamental and practical knowledge of tax law. Often engaged as an independent accounting and auditing expert. Thanks to her experience in both government agencies and commercial structures,Ms.Savchuk knows and understands the best legal pathways that lead to successful outcomes .

Education:
– Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University , accounting and auditing, diploma with honours, 1998.

– Academic degree/academic title: Doctor (Candidate) of Economic Sciences (Ph.D), 2012

Qualification Diplomas:

– Certified auditor
– Diploma DipIFR
– Diploma of SAR

Experience in accounting and auditing: 17 years of auditing practice

Education: two degrees of higher education.
• Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Faculty of Law, specialty “Jurisprudence”.
• Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Faculty of Economics, specialty “Agrarian Management. Foreign Economic Activity »
Oleg has been in the legal field for over 15 years. He started his career in 1997 at the State Tax Service establishments. Since 2000 he has served as a legal counsel for a number of enterprises (including the head of the legal unit of a large holding company in the metallurgical industry). In 2006-2007 he worked as the head of the legal department of Distribution company “Gas of Ukraine” National Joint Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine”. From 2007 he has been holding the position of the Managing Partner at the law firm “Stolychniy Advocat”, in May 2015 Mr.Vdovichen founded a law firm “Vdovichen and partners”.

Specialization: tax and economic law, protection from criminal prosecution in the field of economic activity.
Memberships:
• Association of Advocates of Ukraine (Board Member, Chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Businesses, Assets and Rights of Investors)
• Union of Lawyers of Ukraine
• Association of Ukrainian Lawyers
In 2015 – 2016 Mr.Vdovichen took an active part in reforming and purging from the corruption of the National Police of Ukraine, acting as the head of the department and was a permanent member of the attestation and appellate commissions at the recruiting centre of the National Police of Ukraine.

Educational background in International Law (BSc) – Tbilisi state University, Georgia, followed by a master degree in innovation development and changes in economy – University of Bologna, Italy.

10+ year work experience in international business development.

Since 2018 I have been actively involved in wide range of value-added services provision to international and local customers of GIH Kutaisi Free Zone – first free zone in the region, founded back in March 2009.

We are oriented on Custom tailored, creative, individual approach to clients, on complex deals to find perfect solutions.

Juliet Kinkladze is currently the Business Development Manager at Tbilisi Free Industrial Zone (TFZ) and as the person responsible for TFZ’s further growth and development she is committed to the quality and excellency of the services the company offers. Juliet has joined TFZ in 2016 from the first stage of its formation and has been constantly searching and exploring opportunities by meeting strategic business people to increase project’s awareness and awake interest.

In addition to working at Tbilisi Free Industrial Zone Juliet has nine years of experience of working in fields such as sales, PR and marketing. Possessing the unique knowledge of having previously worked in start-up projects and having superb communication skills, she can easily open up key people, identify their needs and then present with a wide range of services and solutions.

Juliet Kinkladze was born and raised in Russia. In 2000 she moved to Tbilisi, Georgia. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in International Law and International Relations in Tbilisi State University in 2001 and Master’s degree in International Business and Management in University of Groningen in 2011.

EDUCATION:

TARAS SHEVCHENKO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF KYIV – Specialization: Jurisprudence (Labour and Civil Law)

MYKOLAS ROMERIS UNIVERSITY, Vilnius Specialization: European Business Law (LLM)

Mrs Kateryna Volynets is Associates at Law & Trust International (Ukraine), a leader in the field of maintenance of cryptocurrency business, blockchain and ICO projects. With colleagues she provided legal consulting to the following projects: Azbit, MDK, Itrue, Bсshop, Fluence, BuzCoin. Has experience in supporting more than 30 ICO projects, 3 cryptocurrency trust management funds.

Kateryna has more than 5 years work experience in the field of international corporate law, providing legal support and maintenance for foreign entities, consulting and assistance in opening of accounts in foreign banks, compliance and KYC procedures.

Vladislav is a strong legal advisor in international tax planning with 7 years of experience.
Successfully graduated Master of Laws (LL.M.) he has recieved professional expericience with leading IT companies and Big Four.

Working as a partner at SBSB Mr. Makarenko deals with corporate law, structuring and business tax planning from everyday legal matters to the most complex projects.

Practices: international tax planning, corporate and commercial law.

Viktoriya Fomenko is a Counsel of Tax and Customs Practice. The main areas of Viktoriya`s specialization are tax and customs law, including domestic and international taxation, cross-border tax and corporate structuring and business planning, structuring of foreign investments as well as tax and customs litigation.

With more than 18 years of experience, Viktoriya has a vast experience in advising a number of big international companies, Ukrainian companies and foreign companies’ subsidiaries in Ukraine. The scope of Viktoriya’s activities covers advising on all tax and customs issues faced by the clients, tax planning of operations and tax structuring of businesses including international jurisdictions, conducting independent review of the tax accounting and consulting on individual taxation plans. Viktoriya has successfully represented a number of clients in tax and customs litigations and has assisted with realization of a number of investment projects.

June 2002: Became member of Cyprus Bar Association.

1997-1998: University College London – Postgraduate Degree, LLM Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law

1994-1997: Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London – Undergraduate Degree, LLB (Honours).

2016: Insolvency Practitioner

Current Employment Status:
1/1/2007 –Present Day: Running own practice in Nicosia, Cyprus, currently under Chriso Savva LLC.
The practice offers, inter alia, legal advice on setting up legal structures, setting up international trusts, acting on behalf of clients in commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, franchises, joint ventures, and advises investment firms on compliance and licensing.
The practice advises on shipping law matter and the registration of vessels under the Cyprus law. Moreover, the practice acts on behalf of clients in the acquisition of real estate for citizenship under the Cyprus Investment Program and for permanent residency.
Website: www.legal-corporate.com.

SPEAKER IN CONFERENCES
• Speaker in Kuwait, on migration through investment in Cyprus, (October 2016)
• Speaker in London on the matter of investment in Cyprus through migration and obtaining citizenship (2014),(organized by Fragomen LLP)
• Speaker on investment through migration in Nicosia, Cyprus (2014)
• Speaker in a conference in Shanghai on Cyprus as an international business centre and migration through investment, (2013)
• Speaker in New Deli on the subject of Cyprus as an international business centre, (2013)
• Speaker on migration through investment in real estate in Cyprus (2013)

LICENSES /MEMBERSHIPS
• Insolvency practitioner
• Member of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Member of the Cyprus Chinese Business Association of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Member of the Cyprus Russian Association of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Emal Bakhtari has been the Head of Projects and Programs of the Department of Open Markets at the National Bank since January 2016. Emal has ten years’ experience in the banking sector.

He worked in Finance and Credit, VTB, Platinum Bank and was engaged with treasury and commodity markets operations.

Emal has graduated Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, has the diploma of candidate of economic sciences.

Alexander Shemiatkin specializes in a wide range of tax and customs issues, investments and foreign economic activity, intellectual property, trade and distribution, labour issues. He has considerable experience in representing the clients’ interests in court disputes, especially with tax and customs authorities. He is also experienced in disputes resolution with respect to protection of the intellectual property rights and labour. Furthermore, he has practical experience in business structuring, tax planning, contractual relations structuring in the field of trade and distribution, agreements related to royalties’ payment and software use. His work experience also includes various consulting projects in such economic sectors as agribusiness, real estate and construction, informational technologies, finance and investments, chemical and food industries, transport, machine industry, fuel and energy sector, ecology and biotechnologies, pharmaceuticals.

Alexander has an Advocacy Certificate No. 2108/10 as of 24.10.2002 and successfully represents the clients’ interests in relations with state agencies within the criminal proceedings related to economic activity. He is one of co-founders and participants of KM Partners Attorneys at Law.

Alexander joined the team of KM Partners in 2001 and became a partner of the firm in 2009. Throughout working in the firm he has achieved the recognition as the specialist who can solve the most complicated problems, which are faced by the clients in their working activity every day.

Alexander has more than 50 professional publications in mass media on topical issues of taxation, customs and dispute resolution.

Education: Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine in Kharkiv, 1998.

Practices: Criminal Proceedings; Litigation; Taxation; Agribusiness; Contract and Business Law; Distribution; Labour Law; Intellectual Property.

Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English.

Recognition:

During 2012-2016 Alexander Shemiatkin was recognized among the best lawyers in taxation in Ukraine according to The Legal 500 EMEA, Chambers Europe Guide, Best Lawyers, Ukrainian Law Firms, and Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Tax Lawyer ranking researches.

Larisa Vrublevskaya is a recognized expert in the field of audit, transfer pricing, accounting, tax and management accounting, tax planning, development and implementation of tax strategies.

Larisa Vrublevskaya heads the Transfer Pricing School; she personally lectures on the most complex issues of transfer pricing. She advises famous Ukrainian and foreign companies on issues related to the preparation of documentation justifying the level of the contract price and the introduction of a system for monitoring transfer pricing at enterprises, as well as on tax planning and tax strategies.

Larisa provides advice on tax and customs issues, as well as transfer pricing issues for such companies as Zepter Ukraine, LLC Plastics-Ukraine, LLC Louis Dreyfus Ukraine, Selena Ukraine Ltd., Shipping Company Ukrrechflot, Ltd. Global Communications Center Ukraine (GMS), NPF Aeromech, LLC Cersanit Ukraine (Cersanit SA), Ainhel Ukraine LLC, Hansa Ukraine Ltd, Manta Ukraine Ltd, MIKOGEN Ukraine LLC “,” Alyuprof System Ukraine “, LLC” Luc Agro “.

Membership and activities:

• Partner of TPA Global Transfer Alliance (Amsterdam)

• Director of Transfer Pricing School;

• Chairman of the Transfer Pricing Committee of the Association of Taxpayers of Ukraine;

• Member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine;

• Member of the International Fiscal Association Ukraine, Head of Transfer Pricing Committee of the Association of Tax Advisers.

Yaroslav Romanchuk – president of Association of Ukrainian Business in Poland.
Yaroslav Romanchuk is a Lawyer, Managing Partner, Head of Tax and Customs practice.

Yaroslav Romanchuk advises clients on the most complex issues in corporate, tax, customs, transfer pricing, commercialization of intellectual property, tax planning using intangible assets, business restructuring, and asset protection.

Yaroslav represents interests of both national and international corporations in the most complex tax and customs disputes.

Yaroslav is recommended by the reputable legal directories such as Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Ukrainian Law Firms as the leading domestic expert in the field of tax and customs law.

Yaroslav Romanchuk is the winner in the nominations “Best lawyer for tax disputes” according to the results of the “Legal Aid 2017” and “Best Lawyer on Taxation” on the results of the “Legal Award 2015”.

According to the research results of the Ukrainian edition of Ukrainian Law Firms. A Handbook for Foreign Clients from 2013 to 2018, Yaroslav is among the TOP-5 lawyers in the field of tax law.

Membership and activities:
• President of the Association of Ukrainian Businesses in Poland;
• Member of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;
• TPA Global Transfer Alliance (Amsterdam) Global Transaction Partner
• Member of International Fiscal Association Ukraine;
• Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Transfer Pricing School.

In 1985 Mr. Katmadze graduated from the Faculty of International Law and International Relations of T.Shevchenko State University. In 1991 he defended his thesis at the Kiev State University and received his PhD in Law. He has published a number of scientific papers.

After completing his studies, He has worked as an engineer, senior engineer, head of the academic section, lecturer, senior lecturer, deputy head of the faculty, acting head of the faculty of general legal disciplines at the National Academy under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

In the years of 1994-1998 – Ambassador Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine.
In 2000 – as Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr.Katmadze received the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

From 2000 to 2007 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia in Ukraine (2001-2004 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia in the Republic of Moldova and Romania concurrently.)

In the years of 2007-2008 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

Since February 1, 2008 – Director of International Development Department at “Bank of Georgia” JSC, Member of the Supervisory Board on Private Banking at “BG-Bank”.

January 1, 2009 – January 22, 2013 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia in Ukraine.

September 2013 – January 2014 – Advisor to the chairman of the Board of international affairs of the company “VETEK”.

Since August 2014 – the founder and president of the company “TNK Global Group” (Georgia).

Since May 29, 2015 – the President of the NGO “Association of Taxpayers of Ukraine”

Ranks and awards

Member of the Board of Trustees of the “Bogdan Stupka” Foundation.
Member of the Board of Directors at the “Association of Foreign Policy of Ukraine”.

He has been awarded the Order of Merit of the third degree (Ukraine, 2006), the Order of Merit of the II degree (Ukraine, 2007), the Order of Yaroslav Mudriy of the V degree (Ukraine, 2007), the Order of Honour (Georgia, 2009) as well as the Presidential Order of Distinction (Georgia 2013).

Anna is the Manager with the Tax and Legal Services practice in PwC Ukraine and has acquired over 10 years’ experience in providing tax services to local and multinational companies.

Anna has participated in a considerable number of tax consultancy assignments, tax due diligence, tax reviews and tax audits.

Over the past years, Anna has specialized in transfer pricing (TP) and successfully completed TP projects for Ukrainian and international clients operating in different industries. Anna has substantial experience in preparing TP documentation, as well as adaptation of global TP documentation to Ukrainian legislation (including functional analysis, verification of TP methodology, benchmarking studies etc.), TP consulting etc.

Anna participated in a team that advised the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine on improving TP legislation in Ukraine based on European best practices.

Anna holds a master’s degree in finance from the Kyiv National University of Economics.

Anna is a senior manager of the corporate taxation group and curates a practice which specialises in the field of international tax policies. She has over 10 years of experience in providing consulting services to Ukrainian and International groups.

Anna advises clients on various tax and regulatory aspects of economic activities, issues of application of agreements that allow companies to avoid double taxation. In addition, she has extensive experience in advising on tax due diligence, tax planning, tax report analysis of public and private companies representing various sectors of the economy.

Vyachslav Vlasov is a partner at PwC Ukraine, he is the head of various practices dealing with corporate tax, transfer pricing, tax return statements and strategic planning. He also curates a group of international experts at PwC who provide consulting services to the Government of Ukraine regarding tax policies.

Vyacheslav has over 22 years of experience in tax law (providing consulting services to private individuals as well as businesses).
His portfolio includes various multinational and top Ukrainian companies working in the fields of retail, consumer goods, industrial goods, metallurgy and agriculture trade together with state institutions of Ukraine.

Bojana is a Investment & Immigration Consultant at Eurofast and she specializes in business development, project management and marketng strategies with 7+ years of a work in an internatonal environment. Previously in her career Bojana worked for a renovated investor and several internatonal companies. Besides that, Bojana is founder of Organizaton of Montenegrins Studying Abroad and Foundaton for Destnaton Promoton.

Bojana holds a Bachelor degree in Law from University of Donja Gorica with specializaton in Business & Tax Law. She has as well atended educatonal programs in Europe and Asia. During her careers she received recogniton from Amnesty Internatonal for her work and commitment and was chosen as one of 26 top youth leaders and delegates in front of Telenor Group and Nobel Peace Price Center.

Bojana is a regular lecturer and speaker on a various destnaton promoton, youth leadership and marketng subjects and is voluntarily mentoring UNICEF’s Innovaton Lab.

Tatyana Shevtsova – Ukrainian expert on audit, entrepreneur and public person, certified auditor. Managing Partner at Audit Firm “Capital Plus”, Partner and Director of Audit at Crowe Horwath AC Ukraine. Certified auditor (Audit Chamber of Ukraine). Head of the Tax Committee of the Public Council under the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine.

A professional analyst, specialist in tax matters, in particular profit tax, VAT, rent payments.

She is the co-author of many bills (in particular, on amendments to the Tax Code and some legislative acts of Ukraine) and the author of publications and articles in accounting, audit specialized publications, has experience of public speaking. Actively works in working groups on tax reform under the Ministry of Finance.

Co-author of the draft law “On Amendments to the Tax Code Relating to the Capital Income Tax”, promoted as part of the business initiative to support the tax reform “Business for the Future”.

Chairman of the Board of the “Ukrainian Interbank Currency Exchange”, Doctor of Economics, Professor of Ternopil National Economic University, ex-head of the Board of “Oschadbank of Ukraine” (2007-2010).

He has more than 20 years of experience in the banking system of Ukraine.

Member of the Council of the Ukrainian Banking Union, President of the Club of Business People.

Ekaterina Varadi is one of the founders and owners of the international LAVECO Group, established in Budapest, Hungary in 1991.

Since its formation, the LAVECO Group has been providing services in the area of company registration in different jurisdictions, including EU member states, Hong Kong, UAE, UK and the traditional offshore countries. LAVECO is also actively engaged in the opening of bank accounts for both companies and private invividuals, as well as providing legal, accounting and auditing services for the companies it registers, creating trusts, private foundations and other structures for the reduction of taxes and arranging second citizenship and permanent residence in various countries.
The LAVECO Group currently has its own offices in Hungary, Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Cyprus, the Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates. The local LAVECO companies in Cyprus and the Seychelles are licensed corporate service providers for the registration and administration of companies.
Among the special services provided by LAVECO are the creation and administration of companies in Hungary and Bulgaria, and the opening of bank accounts for local and foreign companies and individuals.

Ekaterina Varadi was born in Moscow, and from 1984 to 1989 studied at the Department of Philology of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, specialising in Hungarian and German languages and graduating with a diploma with honours. In addition, she also attended English language courses at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, passing with honours.
Ekaterina has been living in Hungary since 1990. She graduated from the Institute of Foreign Trade (1990 – 1993) with a diploma with honours.
In 1991, Ekaterina and her husband, László Váradi, founded the company LAVECO Ltd. in Budapest. She has been working as the company’s commercial director since its formation.

Languages: English, Russian, Hungarian, German.

Managing partner of the International Consulting Group.

Education:
• PMD Mini-MBA. MIM KYIV
• Master Degree in Political Science. M. P. Dragomanov National Pedagogical University
• The Certified Expert. WIFI Institute (Austria)
• The Certified Specialist of courses in strategic planning. High Mark Inc. (USA)

Professional Skills and Experience:
• International tax planning
• Non-resident structures – the companies and funds
• Opening of accounts in foreign banks
• Business emigration.
UKR

Dmitriy’s professional activity started in 1995 with background in law and economics with successful realization in the areas of tax, contract law, investment activity, finances and securities. In 2005 Dmitry Mikhailenko launched his own tax practice which successfully developed into a law firm OMP Tax&Legal, later renamed to Crowe LF Ukraine, member of Crowe Global (2017). Dmitry Mikhailenko is known as an all-round lawyer with thinking outside the box. He is author of several draft laws on tax issues, 5 books, more than 500 publications, a speaker of more than 500 conferences and other events on professional issues.

Dmitry actively participate in the work of public councils of the Ministry of Finance, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Tax and Customs Policy, he is President of Association of Tax Advisors, the Chairman of the tax committee at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and advisor to the IT Committee of the European Business Association.

Alexey Ivanov has been practicing law for over 22 years.

Since 2010 – Managing partner at Konnov & Sozanovsky.

Education: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Faculty of Law, 1995.

Specialization: corporate law, corporate structuring of business, M&A, competition law, foreign investments, assets tracing, dispute resolution.

Recognition:

Recommended lawyer in the area of corporate law and M&A by the Best Lawyers in Ukraine 2018, The Client’s choice. TOP 100 of the best lawyers of Ukraine. Winner of the Legal Awards 2012 in the nomination The Best Partner of the Law Firm.

Membership:

Member of the Ethic Commission of the Ukrainian Bar Association.

Certified mediator, one of the initiators to create the Club of mediation practices by the Ukrainian Mediation Center.

OLGA DMITRIEVA— Attorney-at-Law, Managing Partner of the Law Company “Dmіtrieva & Partners”

She is a Head of the Higher Audit Bar Committee of the National Bar Association of Ukraine,  member of Public Board under the State Agency for Investment and Management of National projects of Ukraine. Mrs Dmitrieva was incorporated to the list of arbitrators of Riga International Commercial Arbitration Court. Olga Dmitrieva was elected to the staff of Public Board under the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine.

Olga’s main spesialization is international tax planning,corporate law, foreign-economic activity, privatization, bank and insurance law, corporate legal relations, M&A, Due diligence, representation of clients’ interests in international court.

Olga Dmitrieva is fluent in Russian, Ukrainian and English.

She is an active participant and speaker in numerous conferences, roundtables, forums, etc.

Olga Dmitrieva is an author of more than 25 articles and comments. She is the Executive Editor of the magazine Newsletter of Ukrainian Advocates’ Association.

Membership: member of International Bar Association from 1993, member of Ukrainian Bar Association from 2004, member of Ukrainian Advocates’ Association from 2006, member of  International Tax Planning Association from 2014, member of European Business Association  from 2015.

Elena has been practicing law since 1999, mainly in field of foreign economic activity, investment consulting, tax planning and asset protection, resolving disputes with state authorities and disputes between business entities. She specializes in holding structures, tax and corporate planning issues (including international ones), M&A deals structuring and preparing business for sale, fund raising and confidential ownership of assets, interaction with Ukrainian and international banks, disputes with tax and customs authorities. Elena is certified asset management specialist and speaker of numerous seminars on foreign economic activity and work with non-resident companies.

Elena’s portfolio of projects includes work for clients from various industries (IT, telecommunications, retail, agribusiness, engineering, construction, financial institutions, light industry).

At LAW GUIDE, Elena oversees practices: International Business, Taxes and Finance, Dispute Resolution.