Economy

Wednesday, January 8

Local budget revenue exceeded UAH 450B last year; which regions’ revenue grew the most?

Local budget revenue exceeded UAH 450B last year; which regions’ revenue grew the most? General fund revenues of regional budgets (excluding inter-budgetary transfers) in 2024 amounted to UAH 451B, which is 2.1%, or UAH 9.1B, more than in 2023. It is noted that since October 2023, local ...

Tuesday, January 7

The US is preparing new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet.

The US is preparing new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet. The administration of US President Joe Biden plans to impose additional sanctions on tankers carrying Russian oil, Reuters writes. According to sources in the publication, the Biden administration pla...

Ukrainian seaports handled a record 97.2 million tons of cargo in 2024; over 9,000 vessels passed through the Black Sea corridor.

Ukrainian seaports handled a record 97.2 million tons of cargo in 2024; over 9,000 vessels passed through the Black Sea corridor. Ukrainian seaports processed a record 97.2 million tons of freight in 2024, exceeding 2023’s figure by 57%, the Ministry of Community Development reported. Ukrainian ports are a key link for exp...

Ukrainian automotive market trends in 2024: a decline in the popularity of new gasoline-powered vehicles and an increase in electric vehicles.

Ukrainian automotive market trends in 2024: a decline in the popularity of new gasoline-powered vehicles and an increase in electric vehicles. In December 2024, Ukrainians purchased more than 5,500 new passenger cars, 6% less than in 2023. In total, 69,600 new passenger cars were registered during the year, 14% more than in 2023. In 2024, th...

The market for investments and M&A in Ukraine reached $1.2B in 2024.

The market for investments and M&A in Ukraine reached $1.2B in 2024. According to analysts, the volume of announced and completed M&A deals in Ukraine, including corporate deals, venture capital transactions in the technology sector, and state-owned property privat...

Ukraine is increasing gas production for the second year in a row.

Ukraine is increasing gas production for the second year in a row. According to industry experts, in 2024 Ukraine increased gas production by 2.2% – to 19.12 billion cubic meters. The production growth rate in 2024 was higher than in 2023 when production increased by...

Ukraine’s privatization revenue in 2024 near a record ₴12B.

Ukraine’s privatization revenue in 2024 near a record ₴12B. The total amount of revenue from large and small privatizations may reach almost ₴12B ($292M) after the completion of all of 2024’s transactions, the Ministry of Economy reports. According to th...

A Ukrainian businessman has revealed his plans for a recently acquired tractor plant, the oldest in Poland.

A Ukrainian businessman has revealed his plans for a recently acquired tractor plant, the oldest in Poland. Ukrainian businessman Oleg Krot, who recently acquired the Ursus tractor company in Poland, plans to resume its normal operations. The new owner intends to launch production at two industrial sites, m...

Monday, January 6

How does the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine affect the European market?

How does the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine affect the European market? European natural gas prices rose for the third week as the market grapples with dwindling inventories and supply constraints after the loss of Russian gas flows through Ukraine on January 1, 2025. ...

The Ukrainian military-industrial complex’s capacity increased by 500% in one year.

The Ukrainian military-industrial complex’s capacity increased by 500% in one year. In 2024, the government invested over ₴39B ($1B) in weapons production, allowing for an increase in the capacity of the domestic military-industrial complex by 500%, the Cabinet of Ministers reported....

Ukraine can become the leading supplier of direct reduction iron to the EU and help Europe decarbonize its metallurgy.

Ukraine can become the leading supplier of direct reduction iron to the EU and help Europe decarbonize its metallurgy. Ukraine has five billion tons of magnetite ore, the primary raw material for direct reduction iron (DRI) production, the demand for which is growing strongly in Europe. Potential commercial supplies o...

To end the Russian war sooner, the West must tighten oil sanctions against Moscow.

To end the Russian war sooner, the West must tighten oil sanctions against Moscow. The administration of US President Joe Biden is considering tightening sanctions against Russia, in an attempt to reduce Russia’s ability to finance its military aggression, and creating the pre...

The Ukraine Facility provided 40% of Ukraine’s external financing for 2024’s state budget.

The Ukraine Facility provided 40% of Ukraine’s external financing for 2024’s state budget. The Ukraine Facility program provided the largest amount of external financing for the state budget in 2024 (over 40%). The total amount of funds provided by the EU amounted to €16.2B. This was made p...

Business expectations fell to a 12-month low; what is the cause?

Business expectations fell to a 12-month low; what is the cause? The business expectations index fell by 1.3 points to 45.9 in December, which is in line with the figure for December 2023 (45.7). Trade enterprises assessed their business activity results with restr...

Ukraine has reached pre-war levels of agricultural exports.

Ukraine has reached pre-war levels of agricultural exports. In 2024, Ukraine achieved its pre-war volume of agrarian exports, totaling $24.5B or 59% of total exports, said Minister of Agricultural Policy Vitaly Koval. “This is the second historical recor...

Analysts predict Ukraine’s real GDP growth will be about 3% in 2025.

Analysts predict Ukraine’s real GDP growth will be about 3% in 2025. Ukraine demonstrated moderate economic growth in 2024 at 3.8%, and real GDP growth in 2025 will be approximately 3%, according to the Institute for Economic Research (IER). Access to the Ukrainian Sea...

Retail development in Ukraine: Chains open new outlets and gather financing for scaling.

Retail development in Ukraine: Chains open new outlets and gather financing for scaling. A new McDonald’s restaurant with an area of 465 square meters has opened in Kyiv. This is the chain’s 109th establishment that is currently operating in Ukraine out of a total 124 existing loc...

Tuesday, December 24

Where is Ukraine’s Economic Security Lacking, and How Can It Be Fixed?

Where is Ukraine’s Economic Security Lacking, and How Can It Be Fixed? Vadym Melnyk has extensive experience in the field of economic security, having worked in various state institutions, including the State Fiscal Service, before establishing the Economic Security Bure...

Monday, December 23

Ukraine’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7% at the end of the year due to attacks on energy infrastructure.

Ukraine’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7% at the end of the year due to attacks on energy infrastructure. The real GDP growth rate slowed from 1.1% year-on-year in October to 0.7% in November. The reason is Russian shelling of energy and industrial infrastructure, the Institute for Economic Research (IER)...

The EU and the US are channeling billions from Russian asset proceeds to help Ukraine.

The EU and the US are channeling billions from Russian asset proceeds to help Ukraine. The European Commission has announced macro-financial assistance to Ukraine through a loan of €18.1B, which will be paid in equal installments throughout 2025 with the first tranche expected in Januar...

Global mergers and acquisitions deal volume to top $3T.

Global mergers and acquisitions deal volume to top $3T. In 2024, global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) volume will top $3T, up 11%. The value of deals worth more than $5B has increased 19% since the beginning of the year, while the number of deals has...

Money above all: Russian sanctions are being weakened through exceptions.

Money above all: Russian sanctions are being weakened through exceptions. The US has made an exception to the sanctions imposed on Gazprombank to allow payment for Russian gas by Hungary and Turkey. The Hungarian Foreign Ministry believes the latest sanctions against Russia...

Friday, December 20

The advantage is on Ukraine’s side: What is happening with the economies of the warring countries?

The advantage is on Ukraine’s side: What is happening with the economies of the warring countries? The Economist notes that the Ukrainian economy looks “healthier” than the Russian economy did after the start of the full-scale war. Ukraine’s economy has been rebuilt to navigate th...

Ukraine and Poland plan to create an Eastern European gas hub that will replace the transit of Russian gas for Europe.

Ukraine and Poland plan to create an Eastern European gas hub that will replace the transit of Russian gas for Europe. According to Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk, the completion of Russian gas transit through Ukraine will begin competition for new routes and resources, including LNG, which is becoming an incr...

How is the policy regarding Ukrainian refugees changing in European countries after almost three years of war?

How is the policy regarding Ukrainian refugees changing in European countries after almost three years of war? The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament has finally approved the Lex Ukrajina VII law that will extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees. The current protection expires on March 31. ...

Trends in the Ukrainian residential real estate market in 2024.

Trends in the Ukrainian residential real estate market in 2024. The total area of residential buildings for which construction permits were issued (new construction) decreased by 6.6% in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2023, to 2...

Thursday, December 19

Piraeus Bank sponsored the War & Politics Live event in Kyiv: What the Future Holds for Ukraine in 2025.

Piraeus Bank sponsored the War & Politics Live event in Kyiv: What the Future Holds for Ukraine in 2025. On December 13, the UBN Network hosted an event titled “WAR & POLITICS: POST US ELECTIONS – WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR UKRAINE.” As the general sponsor of UBN’s series of ev...

Investors have shared their 2025 macroeconomic forecast for Ukraine.

Investors have shared their 2025 macroeconomic forecast for Ukraine. The growth rate of Ukraine’s economy in 2025 will decrease to 3.4% compared to the expected result of 4% in 2024. At the same time, inflation will slow from 11.5% to 7%. ICU predicts that Ukrain...

Within the framework of European integration, Ukraine is changing its approach to the search for minerals.

Within the framework of European integration, Ukraine is changing its approach to the search for minerals. The Verkhovna Rada has made amendments to the national program for the development of Ukraine’s mineral and raw material base until 2030, which takes into account the low funding level and Ukrai...

To avoid a shortage of scrap metal in the domestic market, Ukraine increased its export duty. How has Ukraine traded scrap metal in the last six years?

To avoid a shortage of scrap metal in the domestic market, Ukraine increased its export duty. How has Ukraine traded scrap metal in the last six years? According to analysts, in 2019 Ukraine exported 42,180 tons of scrap for $11.8M. In 2020, exports decreased by 15.1%, in monetary terms, to $9.5M. But in pre-war 2021, ferrous scrap exports increased ...

Shopping malls from Rivne to Kharkiv are being renovated and attracting new tenants.

Shopping malls from Rivne to Kharkiv are being renovated and attracting new tenants. In Rivne, the Pokrovsky shopping center has been put into operation after closing for renovation in 2022. Among the anchors, a Thrash! supermarket, with an area of about 420 square meters, and an E-...

Wednesday, December 18

Activitis Financial Company and VisionFund Ukraine have joined forces to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Activitis Financial Company and VisionFund Ukraine have joined forces to support small and medium-sized businesses. The initiative involves: Expanding access to financing for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine Developing a program to finance franchise businesses Promoting joint initiatives in the ...

Ukraine’s only graphite enterprise has suspended operations; investment is needed for modernization.

Ukraine’s only graphite enterprise has suspended operations; investment is needed for modernization. Zavallivskyi Graphite, Ukraine’s only natural graphite mining enterprise that has been operating since 1934, has suspended its operations. Two of the key reasons for the shutdown are the high co...

Tuesday, December 17

This year, Ukraine’s economy grew by 4%; the agricultural sector’s share of GDP is about 20%.

This year, Ukraine’s economy grew by 4%; the agricultural sector’s share of GDP is about 20%. Over the 11 months of the year, the Ukrainian economy grew by 4% [±0.5%], according to the Ministry of Economy. “The drivers of growth remain the transport and construction industries, processin...

A huge wartime M&A deal: A new agricultural giant worth $30B will soon take shape.

A huge wartime M&A deal: A new agricultural giant worth $30B will soon take shape. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has approved the acquisition of control by Bunge Global SA over the global agro-trader Viterra Limited (part of Glencore). In Ukraine, these two companies (Viterr...

This year, UZ has transported the most cargo since 2022, which is still less than in 2021.

This year, UZ has transported the most cargo since 2022, which is still less than in 2021. As reported by Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba, since the start of the year Ukrainian Railways (UZ) has transported 148 million tons of cargo, the greatest volume sinc...

Ukraine has presented Japan with priority projects for investment in 2025.

Ukraine has presented Japan with priority projects for investment in 2025. Ukraine has presented the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with 2025’s priority projects for financing. These are in finance, infrastructure, energy, the agricultural sector, humani...

The EU approves the 15th package of Russian sanctions that includes Chinese companies.

The EU approves the 15th package of Russian sanctions that includes Chinese companies. The EU Council has approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, which applies to 54 individuals and 30 legal entities. The sanctions include top managers of leading Russian energy companies,...

Monday, December 16

Ukraine will spend 10 times more on its defense than NATO countries in 2025; the EU is not ready for war with Russia.

Ukraine will spend 10 times more on its defense than NATO countries in 2025; the EU is not ready for war with Russia. Next year, Ukraine will spend about 25% of its GDP on defense, which is 900% more than European NATO allies’ average, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a keynote speech in Brussels. ...

Canada will finance Ukraine’s rural population’s business initiatives, and Piraeus Bank will support Ukrainian SMEs along with the DFC.

Canada will finance Ukraine’s rural population’s business initiatives, and Piraeus Bank will support Ukrainian SMEs along with the DFC. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the Canadian NGO SOCODEVI, and the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Public Organization will cooperate to develop entrepreneurship for the rural population that has been affect...

Due to inflation, the key rate in Ukraine was increased from 13% to 13.5%.

Due to inflation, the key rate in Ukraine was increased from 13% to 13.5%. The Board of the National Bank of Ukraine increased the discount rate to 13.5% per annum. This takes place after inflation accelerated to 11.2% per annum in November. It is noted that the inflationary...

Ukraine has postponed signing a critical minerals deal with the US until Trump’s inauguration.

Ukraine has postponed signing a critical minerals deal with the US until Trump’s inauguration. According to the NYT, Ukraine has postponed signing a minerals deal with the US, and the agreement will likely be signed only after US President-Elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, allowing him, not J...

Thursday, December 12

Private arms manufacturers say there are no government orders for 2025 to load existing capacities.

Private arms manufacturers say there are no government orders for 2025 to load existing capacities. In Ukraine, 75% of 31 private companies in the defense-industrial complex said they are not negotiating to conclude any government weapons contracts for 2025. Only 19% of manufacturers have transition...

An Irish company invests €280M in a building materials plant in the Lviv region.

An Irish company invests €280M in a building materials plant in the Lviv region. The Kingspan Group will build a building materials production plant in the Murovans’ka AH (Lviv region). The company will invest €280M in constructing an innovative, sustainable building materia...

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy reports record output by the Ukrainian agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy reports record output by the Ukrainian agricultural sector. Minister of Agrarian Policy Vitaliy Koval reported that in 2024, Ukraine’s agro-industrial complex achieved record production and export totals. In particular, sugar exports amounted to about 70...

A Ukrainian Agro giant continues its expansion strategy in international markets.

A Ukrainian Agro giant continues its expansion strategy in international markets. Agroholding MHP, the largest chicken producer in Ukraine, has submitted an offer to acquire UVESA Group, a leader in the Spanish poultry and pork production markets that was founded in 1964. MHP empha...

Wednesday, December 11

A new industrial park with a ₴2.4B total investment will be built in the Khmelnytskyi region.

A new industrial park with a ₴2.4B total investment will be built in the Khmelnytskyi region. The Cabinet of Ministers has entered into the register a new industrial park, Teofipol Eco Park, in the Khmelnytskyi region, creating more than 1,550 jobs on 30.8 hectares. The total volume of capital...

Ukrainian holding company will strengthen the US in the fight against China in the global titanium market by building a $100M plant.

Ukrainian holding company will strengthen the US in the fight against China in the global titanium market by building a $100M plant. The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has issued a letter of intent to provide $60M in financing with a 20-year maturity to Velta Holding U.S. Inc., the parent company of Ukrainian titanium producer Velta....

Russia’s oil export revenue is growing, allowing it to finance its war in Ukraine.

Russia’s oil export revenue is growing, allowing it to finance its war in Ukraine. According to KSE analysis, in October 2024, Russia’s oil export revenue increased by $1.2B, to $15.6B. 85% of deliveries were made by shadow tankers, which allowed Russia to evade the price limi...

Russian war spending has hit a new record of $20M per hour.

Russian war spending has hit a new record of $20M per hour. According to the German Institute for International Security Studies, Russia’s spending on “national defense” reached an unprecedented $43.28B in the third quarter. Compared to the s...

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