Kharkiv IT Cluster met with Mikheil Saakashvili

14 September 2020 y.

On September 10, Kharkiv IT Cluster participated in the Business Breakfast in Superior Golf. The Business breakfast was attended by Mikheil Saakashvili, Head of the “Office of Simple Solutions & Results”, and business representatives of Kharkiv. Kharkiv IT Cluster was represented by the members of the Supervisory Board Eduard Rubin and Alexey Kholodenko, and the organization’s executive director Olga Shapoval. In his speech, Mikheil Saakashvili said that it was fundamentally important for the state to listen to the needs of the business: "Officials should be nannies for businessmen." Micheil talked about essential issues of Ukrainian business:

• fast privatization;
• customs reform;
• tax system reform: in particular, a tax on withdrawn capital;
• judicial reform;
• connection to power grids and subsoil use.

Besides, Mikheil mentioned the Ukrainian industry as well: “The IT sector of Ukraine is a great sector that stands for changes. These are free people who strive for a free economy. Ukraine’s IT industry is a good example of what can be achieved in the conditions of a free economy and without the state’s interference”. After Mikheil Saakashvili’s speech, the representatives of the Kharkiv business asked him questions within a moderated discussion. They also discussed ecology, education issues, and the issue of abuse by security forces. Olga Shapoval commented on the meeting: “Cluster is a non-political organization. At the same time, working with representatives of the government, with state managers is essential for an effective public organization. The partnership of IT-business with the government and the education area leads to the realization of the Cluster's mission of developing an environment for technological business”.