The trends of the real estate market in the first half of 2024 were analyzed by Oleksandr Nasikovsky, Managing Partner of DIM Group of Companies.
The number of sales transactions in the first half of 2024 is gradually increasing compared to the same period in 2023. But it all depends on the readiness of the object and its class.
Currently, the majority of buyers of apartments in the primary market are those who buy housing for themselves. These are people who associate their future with Ukraine, with Kyiv. In this case, it makes no sense to postpone this step, because developers are now offering good conditions and trying to keep prices down. Most of these people lived and planned to buy housing in the capital even before the war.
There are also IDPs among the buyers, but their share has not increased significantly. They have more stressful circumstances, a longer period of adaptation, and need more time to take this step. In addition, some of them are considering the western regions of Ukraine for purchasing housing.
While in 2023, there were few investment transactions for the purchase of real estate for resale or lease, in 2024 we are already seeing a gradual recovery in investor interest as the real estate market is gradually recovering.
For new clients, realizing the difficult decision they are facing today, we are developing special programs for the purchase of housing: we offer installment plans for a long period (up to 5 years), reduce the down payment, offer to pay part of the funds before the completion of construction, and the rest within three years after.
We can state that the cost per m2 of primary real estate will continue to grow. This is due not only to the future growth in demand for new housing, but also to the rise in the cost of building materials, energy, and related resources required for the construction of houses.
Yes, there is pent-up demand and it has a cumulative effect. Ukrainians still have a need for new housing, but not everyone is ready to invest in real estate in the capital. People are hindered by understandable fears, lack of stability and confidence in the future due to the war. But as soon as we win, people will return to solving the housing issue, because it is still relevant.
Internal migration within the country will also have an impact. Some people will stay and build their future in Kyiv.
Investors will be interested in the future growth of the cost per square meter. After the Victory, this process will start quite quickly.
The cost of apartments in high-quality facilities will increase. This is due not only to the future growth in demand for new housing, but also to the rise in the cost of building materials, energy, logistics, and related components required for the construction of houses. So far, we have been able to balance, but over time, these factors will take their toll and prices will go up.
On March 11, 2024, according to the previously announced schedule, the process of accepting applications from potential partners for joint development of 21 fields was completed.
The company is currently finalizing the terms of cooperation with the companies that submitted the best proposals, preparing to submit joint applications to the Interdepartmental Commission for the organization of the conclusion and implementation of production sharing agreements and subsequent approval of the final terms of the production sharing agreements by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
However, due to the interest of investors who were unable to participate in the first selection and the availability of fields with the potential for joint development, the Company decided to extend the application deadline for some fields by 3 months until September 10, 2024.
For more details on the algorithm for submitting applications and selecting potential investors, please follow the link.
Yevgeny Chernyak has increased his stake in Inter-Policy Insurance Company (Kyiv) from 9.96% to 24.715%, the company reported in the NSSMC’s information disclosure system, citing data from the Central Securities Depository.
According to the report, Oleksandr Yedin reduced his stake in the insurer from 9.899% to 6.251%, Valentyna Honcharova – from 9.786% to 6.179%, Lyudmila Chebotko – from 5.076% to 3.205%, and Oleksandr Yakovlev – from 5.312% to 3.354%.
In addition, the company increased its authorized capital by 58.4%, or UAH 17.691 million, to UAH 48 million. During the issue, an additional 31,422 thousand shares with a par value of UAH 563 were issued at a market price of UAH 575.
As reported, at the time of the decision on the issue, the company’s shareholders, in addition to the above, were JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (50.0046%) and IC Vostok-Zakhid (9.96%).
Inter-Policy Insurance Company was founded in 1993. It has 20 licenses for voluntary and compulsory insurance, as well as branches and representative offices in all major regional centers of the country.
Capital Times Investment Banking Company (Kyiv) intends to launch a fund in the near future aimed at investing in companies that rethink the future of technology, health and sustainable development, according to the Ukrainian Venture Capital Association (UVCA).
“We already have a portfolio of 9 investments, including 3 exits. Now, with the new fund, we are pleased to continue our journey, providing the necessary resources, mentoring and strategic support to help companies scale and succeed,” Capital Times Managing Partner Sergiy Goncharevich said in a release.
It is noted that Capital Times joined UVCA in July. The company’s website also says that in July this year it also became a member of the IT Ukraine association.
“For Capital Times, the IT sector is a priority area for M&A in Ukraine. In recent years, deals in this sector have been leading in terms of number and value. Despite the market transformation, we see significant potential and opportunities for development,” the company commented on joining the association.
According to the releases, Capital Times has 18 years of experience in providing M&A solutions. It is a member of the international network of M&A advisors Globalscore Partners, with 38 deals in its portfolio and 260 completed projects in various sectors of the economy.
In addition to Kyiv, the company also has offices in Chisinau (Moldova) and Poznan (Poland).
The company’s declared focuses are FoodTech, FinTech, HealthTech, MilitaryTech, and EdTech.
Kernel Agro Holding, one of the largest agricultural companies in Ukraine, processed 3.2 million tons of oilseeds in the fourth quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year (FY, July-June) and returned to pre-war processing volumes, the company’s press service reported in a preliminary public report.
“This result was achieved thanks to the commissioning of a new oil extraction plant in western Ukraine,” the press service explained on its Facebook page.
According to the report, Kernel transshipped 6.7 million tons of agricultural products through its terminals, including 486 thousand tons for partners.
In fiscal year 2024, the agricultural holding offered its port facilities to Ukrainian farmers for the first time to help increase Ukraine’s agricultural exports. This area will continue to develop, Kernel promised.
“We exported 5.5 million tons of grain, which is 47% more than in the last financial year. This became possible due to stable exports via the Black Sea,” the agricultural holding summarized.
Prior to the war, Kernel was the world’s leading producer of sunflower oil (about 7% of global production) and its exports (about 12%). It is one of the largest producers and sellers of bottled oil in Ukraine. In addition, it is engaged in the cultivation and sale of agricultural products.
OTP BANK JSC fills most of its managerial vacancies with internal candidates who were able to reveal themselves and realize their professional potential, said Kristina Feher, HR Director of OTP Bank, during a roundtable discussion on the personnel situation in the market organized by the Financial Club.
“Our internal growth programs are working effectively. Almost 70% of vacancies for managerial positions at the head office and in the branch network are filled by employees who develop, join training, and reveal their leadership qualities. We implement projects that allow our colleagues to delve deeper into the competencies they need, share experiences with other team members, and present their best practices. For example, we have mentoring programs from top management, as well as the Reading Club and the OTP Cinema Club, which combine the formats of interactive discussions of books and movies, thinking out of the box, and joint analysis of various success stories. And to share best practices within the company, we have been organizing Demo Day for several years in a row – an event for product teams that present new initiatives and solutions to all employees of the Bank,” said K. Feher.
According to her, OTP BANK is a financial institution with a strong team of professionals, which also gives young people without work experience the opportunity to prove themselves. “I believe that young staff is one of the key resources.
We fruitfully cooperate with 27 Ukrainian universities and twice a year we engage students for internships or training. Many of them stay with the Bank afterwards. In the first half of 2024, we started cooperation with 120 students, whom we will train over the coming months. Currently, there are 80 vacancies in the branch network, so we see an opportunity to close some of them through cooperation with talented young people. I can say that this approach is effective in our company,” added the HR Director.
The bank creates an environment in which employees feel protected and have the opportunity to realize themselves professionally. The staff is encouraged to develop and grow professionally, comfortable working conditions are created, and opportunities to be involved in work processes are provided. In addition, OTP BANK offers a flexible schedule, options to work remotely or in a hybrid format, as well as other individual approaches. “We remain as flexible as possible, so people can choose the format that they consider to be the most convenient and safe for organizing their working day,” said Kristina Feher.
According to the HR Director of OTP BANK, this has a positive effect. Employees appreciate reliability and stability, so the percentage of staff outflow is insignificant. Staff turnover in the first half of 2024 was less than 8%. At the same time, the Bank continues to actively develop various business lines, attract new specialists and implement initiatives that help it to be one of the leading companies in the financial market.
