The NBU has eased currency restrictions to encourage foreign investment.

The National Bank has launched a “stimulating currency liberalization” aimed at attracting foreign capital to Ukraine. Its essence is to create a mechanism that will encourage foreign investors to invest in Ukrainian enterprises in exchange for permission to conduct currency transactions that were previously prohibited.

The concept of an “investment limit” is being introduced, which will be equal to the amount of foreign investment added to authorized capital after May 12 2025. Within this limit, a company will receive the right to conduct currency transactions outside the general restrictions. The total debt of Ukrainian enterprises obtained through external loans is about $21B (with interest), and the debt for imports is $3.2B. The NBU’s decision opens an opportunity to solve this problem: the inflow of new capital will compensate for the outflow of debt payments, without creating additional pressure on the foreign exchange market.

A few other easing measures have also come into effect:

1. The possibilities for financing foreign representative offices of Ukrainian companies are expanding.
2. Businesses can make payments related to legal proceedings regarding non-residents’ failure to fulfill the terms of import and export contracts.
3. Limits on payments with corporate cards abroad are increasing.
4. Certain currency transactions on forward terms are allowed.