OREANDA-NEWS. April 12, 2012. During the 8th Annual Ukraine Investment Conference (March 22-23), investors were asked to electronically vote on a number of questions regarding their perception of Ukraine’s investment climate and the country’s future generally. Results were immediately displayed on monitors in the conference hall and were used to further stimulate debate on relevant issues.

The voting results are listed below.

1. Would you say Ukraine’s future lies primarily:

a. as a full member of the EU – 42%

b. as a “non-aligned” nation maintaining full neutrality and independence between its two neighboring blocks – 34%

c. in an ever closer integration with Russia – 24%

2. Ukraine’s biggest obstacle to economic growth and development is:

a. the lack of respect for the Rule of Law – 68%

b. the lack of credibility of its political elite – 16%

c. its overreliance on gas imports – 10%

d. the residual influence of Socialist planned economy – 6%

3. Ukraine’s biggest asset is:

a. its untapped natural resources – 31%

b. its geographical position – 31%

c. its human capital – 26%

d. its emerging civil society – 9%

e. its political elite – 3%

4. From the choices listed below, do you think Ukraine should first and foremost:

a. take all necessary steps required for ratification of a DCFTA with the EU – 32%

b. strike a gas deal with Russia – 26%

c. secure the next tranche from the IMF – 26%

d. abandon the peg to the USD – 10%

e. join the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus – 6%

5. In 2012, you anticipate Ukraine’s GDP growth will be:

a. between 2% and 4%– 60%

b. between 0% and 2% – 23%

c. above 4% – 13%

d. below 0% – 3%

Investors are waiting for the voting results

6. In GDP/capita terms, you expect Ukraine to converge with its Eastern European peers:

a. within the next 10 years – 44%

b. within the next 25 years – 34%

c. never – 13%

d. within the next century – 6%

e. within the next 5 years – 3%

7. For you as institutional investors, when deciding in which company to invest, the most important is:

a. meeting with the owner/management – 40%

b. the valuation – 28%

c. on which Stock Exchange the company is listed – 16%

d. the quality/reputation of the auditors – 12%

e. the quality/reputation of the bookrunner – 4%

8. You would consider increasing your investment allocation to Ukraine if:

a. Ukraine signs a DCFTA with the EU – 64%

b. Tymoshenko is freed from jail – 14%

c. Ukraine wins the Euro 2012 – 14%

d. Ukraine joins the Customs Union with Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus – 9%

e. never – 0%