The entire staff of a software development company called RevJet was introduced on Tuesday at their new office in Saint John. 

The employees are all from the Ukraine, and until recently, were all working in their homeland.

CEO Mitchell Weisman says 20 of their employees have made the move to the Maritimes. He says political unrest and violence in the Ukraine were getting too close for comfort.

"When this firebombing happened in Odessa, it was a big wake-up call,” said Weisman.

Workers say it was a difficult decision to leave home for a city most had never heard of, but that it’s been going well so far.

“Since we arrived here, I have found Saint John (a) pretty nice city,” said RevJet employee Ievgen Rzhechykyi. “Really friendly. A lot of Canadian attitude here. Everybody is very welcoming.”

On Tuesday, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant focused attention on some of the benefits of attracting newcomers from troubled lands.

He also stopped at the Taste of Egypt restaurant, one of the first local businesses to hire Syrian refugees.

"Today is a great story of us as a province – certainly opening up our doors and welcoming new people to the country, to the province," said Gallant.

Many of the RevJet employees have brought family members from the Ukraine who are setting up homes in the area.   

To date, 48 people have relocated to Saint John from the Ukraine.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.