Flamboyant Chinese billionaire Jack Ma visited Ukraine and praised its “intelligent” people, young government and appetite for change. This is Ma's first visit to Ukraine.
Ma, co-founder of technology giant Alibaba and one of the world's richest people, visited Kiev on November 8 to give encouragement to the business community. Speaking about Ukraine, he praised Ukrainian talent and gave advice on how to deepen the country's ties with China.
“The government is young,” Ma said in an auditorium at the Kyiv International Economic Forum packed with local businessmen and politicians. “I've never seen a government with a 44-year-old president and a 35-year-old prime minister. Don't they have experience? Give (them) a chance.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who Ma described as “smart, young and passionate,” gave a speech just before the Chinese tech giants took to the stage. Zelenskiy echoed Ma's message, emphasizing investment in local talent.
“I really like what he just said,” Ma said. “Invest in people and small businesses in the future.”
Chinese high-tech mogul Jack Ma speaks at the Kiev International Economic Forum. Mr. Ma encouraged Ukrainians to quit university, run their own businesses, and fail. “The more you fail, the more you succeed,” he said. (Kostiantin Chernychkin)
“I love the people here,” he continued. “It's the smart people, the tolerance and culture of this country. You believe in the future and you're making a difference. Nowhere else in the world…as far as I know, has a Ministry of Innovation. Not much. You do it. You like change, don't you?”
In fact, Ma claimed that he had long “admired” Ukraine, saying: You are a country with such a colorful history. I think China and Ukraine will definitely do better. I plan to invite many business friends to Ukraine. ”
According to him, the main reasons for coming are a young government, fertile land and local talent.
“It has great potential,” he said. “I'm not speaking as a politician, I'm speaking as a businessman.”
Alibaba co-founder and Chinese tech tycoon Jack Ma spoke at the Kyiv International Economic Forum on November 8, 2019. Mr. Ma believes that to be successful, you must work 12 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. (Kostiantin Chernychkin)
Still, the Chinese businessman admits there are problems. For example, it takes an average of 47 days to ship items from Alibaba's e-store AliExpress to Ukraine.
“This is just unbelievable. Are we going back to the past? This is like last century,” he said, calling this a failure on Ukraine's part. “Improve it.” To do that, Ukraine needs to improve logistics, promote electronic development, provide ubiquitous internet and support local entrepreneurs.
“If these four things are in place, Ukraine has great potential.”
