Council on Competitiveness of Ukraine
Council on Competitiveness of Ukraine (CCU, www.compete.org.ua) is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organization that serves as a forum for elevating national competitiveness to the forefront of national consciousness, by working collaboratively with companies, government, academia, financial institutions and other groups. It is modeled after the U.S. Council on Competitiveness .
Comprised of top business and university leaders of Ukraine, Europe and the United States who are committed to the concept and principles of socially responsible competitiveness, CCU has developed a strategy and action plan with the following key areas:
1. Partnership
CCU cooperates widely with the relevant Governmental authorities (e.g. Ministry of Economy, National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine) in the development of the Program for Promoting Competitiveness of Cooperation, proposals for NGO partnership with government in homeland security and defense. CCU participates in working groups, provides analysis and feedback to governmental institutions broadly interested in Ukraine’s competitiveness.
CCU also works with the International Management Institute’s Center for Competitiveness Strategies to develop strategies for shaping the competitiveness of certain regions of Ukraine.
2. Analytics
CCU publishes the “Ukrainian Competitiveness Monitor” that includes monitoring and analysis of specific indicators of Ukraine’s competitiveness along with nine of its closest reference countries. The publication represents an innovative product that provides comprehensive monitoring of changes in major competitiveness indicators, timely analysis of trends, risks, and the possible outcome of those changes. This journal serves as a platform for initiation of discussion and promotion of awareness of these issues among the general public, government and political
elite.
3. Public Relations
CCU strives to enhance public awareness about competitiveness through proactive media outreach efforts, and participation in conferences, industry-specific workshops, presentations.
CCU was founded in June 2005 and is financially supported by a number of Ukrainian businesses, media and universities. WNISEF was a founding supporter of CCU.
Ukrainian National Mortgage Association
The Ukrainian National Mortgage Association (UNMA, www.unia.com.ua) was established in June 2003 to facilitate the dynamic development in Ukraine of the financial services market, in general, and of the mortgage market, in particular. Its major objective is to promote the multi-facet development of the mortgage lending industry across Ukraine. UNMA brings together 27 organizations that actively operate on the Ukrainian financial and property markets. Jointly, its members grant over 85 percent of residential and commercial mortgage loans in Ukraine. UNMA is a member of the European Mortgage Federation.
UNMA has identified six core activities to achieve its mission:
1. Legislation
UNMA closely collaborates with the Ukrainian Parliament, Presidential Administration, Cabinet of Ministers, ministries, and government agencies in drafting mortgage laws and regulations.
2. Services
One of UNMA’s major tasks is to develop, unify, and implement efficient mortgage technologies and standards for lending, investment, insurance relationship, and real estate market. A key initiative in this area was the development of the Residential Mortgage Lending Standards with participation of some 50 Ukrainian banks operating on the mortgage lending market. These standards are supported by the National Bank of Ukraine and form the basis for standards designed by the State Mortgage Institution.
3. Mortgage Securities
UNMA specialists took an active role in the development of the law on mortgage bonds, adopted in 2006. Currently, they are working jointly with the State Securities and Stock Market Commission on drafting regulations under this law. UNMA, together with Pragma Corporation (USAID-funded program), participates in a pilot project in issuance of mortgage bonds by a number of Ukrainian banks. This project is expected to pave the road for efficient refinancing of mortgage loans for the entire Ukrainian banking sector.
4. Public Relations
UNMA’s public relations activities are built around its major goals and focus on (i) advocating interests of the Ukrainian financial sector through public education and public discussion of existing problems and achievement in the industry; (ii) promoting mortgage relationship; and (iii) disseminating information on current trends at the Ukrainian and global real estate and finance markets.
5. Trainings and Seminars
UNMA conducts trainings and seminars for representatives of the National Bank of Ukraine, State Mortgage Institution, bankers whose deal with mortgage lending on a daily basis, insurance companies, real estate agencies and other organizations in areas as diverse as risk management, alternative distribution channels, methodological approaches to property valuation, legislative and regulatory aspects of mortgage lending.
WNISEF has supported UNMA since its inception, but the primary source of UNMA’s funding is membership dues.
