According to the results of a survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with the Experts Club think tank, most Ukrainians have a neutral attitude towards Malaysia — 69.0% of respondents chose this option.
A positive attitude was expressed by 16.6% of respondents: 12.5% chose the answer “mostly positive,” and another 4.1% — “completely positive.” In turn, 4.9% of Ukrainians expressed a negative attitude, of which 3.7% said “mostly negative” and 1.1% said “completely negative.” Another 9.5% of respondents were unable to decide on an answer.
“Malaysia remains a relatively unknown country for Ukrainians, which is why neutral attitudes prevail. However, we see that positive assessments are three times higher than negative ones, which indicates a positive image of the country in the minds of Ukrainians,” comments Maksim Urakin, candidate of economic sciences and founder of the Experts Club analytical center.
Ukrainians are mostly neutral about Malaysia, but among those who have a clear idea about the country, positive assessments are three times higher than negative ones. This indicates a friendly background for the development of intergovernmental relations and tourist interest.
The presentation of the study is available at the link.
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, URAKIN
OTP Bank has been ranked among the top three business champion banks by Forbes Ukraine magazine. It took second place in terms of efficiency and stability.
The article calls OTP BANK a model of balance in key ranking indicators. “Restrained growth, no excessive liquidity, which is typical for many banks with foreign capital, but top-three efficiency and good stability,” the Forbes article notes.
In particular, OTP Bank was included in the list of banking institutions with assets exceeding $1 billion, where it ranked third. The magazine’s analytical department also compiled a list of the “Second League” – leaders among banks with less than $1 billion in assets.
In total, the magazine’s rating includes the 20 largest and most efficient banks in Ukraine. Their activities were analyzed based on an integrated indicator of efficiency (profitability), dynamics, stability, and liquidity. As stated in the article, the main task was to find out which bankers had built (or rebuilt) a high-quality banking business during three years of full-scale war. The material is available in the print version of the magazine No. 2 (35), April-May 2025.
As a reminder, in March, OTP BANK was among the top five leaders in the bank stability rating according to the Minfin portal.
The Spanish authorities are tightening control over the short-term rental market in popular resorts such as Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.
The essence of the new rules
The maximum fine for illegal rentals will increase to €500,000, which is 25% more than the previous limit. At the same time, fines will be differentiated: minor violations, such as lack of registration, may result in a warning or a fine of €5,000, while systematic violations, including rentals in protected natural areas or repeat offenses, will be punishable by fines of up to €50,000–500,000.
At the same time, a freeze on new tourist rental licenses is being introduced to stop the uncontrolled growth of supply. The authorities are also offering violators an alternative: if the owner agrees to transfer the apartment or house to the state for five years for use as social housing, the fine can be reduced by 80%.
Why these measures are necessary
The Balearic Islands have been dealing with the effects of mass tourism for a few years now. Because of illegal rentals, housing prices have skyrocketed, and locals are finding it harder and harder to rent apartments in their own towns. In places such as Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza Town, and Ciutadella, residential areas are gradually being transformed into tourist zones, causing protests among the population.
In addition, the uncontrolled flow of vacationers puts a strain on transportation, utilities, and the environment. In response to these problems, the Balearic Islands government is not only tightening penalties but also expanding the powers of inspection authorities. Now, not only municipal services but also the national police, the Guardia Civil, will be involved in enforcement.
Consequences for tourists and property owners
For tourists, the new rules may mean fewer rental options, especially on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, where unlicensed listings are actively removed. It is now extremely important for property owners to check the legal status of their rentals to avoid huge fines.
Will similar measures be introduced in other regions
The experience of the Balearic Islands could set a precedent for other European tourist destinations such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice, which are also experiencing tourist oversaturation and an affordable housing crisis. If strict rental controls prove effective, other countries and cities may adopt this regulatory model.
Over 2,500 visitors and more than 60 programs: an overview of the Svoe.IT 2025 showroom in Kyiv
On Friday, May 9, the Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv became a gathering place for everyone who creates, develops, and implements Ukrainian technological solutions. The third national showroom of Ukrainian software, Svoe.IT 2025, brought together over 55 Ukrainian developers and more than 2,500 participants from all over the country.
This is not just an exhibition, but a platform for testing solutions in action: CRM and ERP systems, document management software, accounting software, call center software, website and application development, payment services, POS systems, software for the public sector, EDTech solutions, and more.
Event format
Traditionally, the event was held in a showroom format to simplify the process of finding the necessary software for visitors. Guests could “try on” and test programs on site, conduct a full test drive, and get advice on their implementation. Most importantly, they could understand whether a particular software would meet their business needs.
Participants of Svoe.IT 2025 in categories
Payment services, POS systems, software cash registers
IT services
Accounting/management accounting
Reporting and Document Management
AI solutions
Telecom, telephony, and software for call centers
ERP
CRM
Risk monitoring and cyber security solutions
Other
Svoe.IT and Ukraine’s digital sovereignty
This year’s event was dedicated to the topic of Ukraine’s digital sovereignty — the state’s ability to independently control, protect, and develop its own IT infrastructure without critical dependence on foreign technologies.
“Digital sovereignty is not an abstract concept, but a real necessity for Ukraine in the context of war. Svoe.IT demonstrates that we already have our own powerful solutions that can replace foreign or Russian software. When we choose our own, we protect the state, support the economy, and build an independent technological future,” said Nazar Kurochko, CEO of GigaCloud, in his speech.
Nazariy emphasized that high-quality software is not only created in the capital. Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Dnipro, Uzhhorod, and Ivano-Frankivsk are regions that are full-fledged players in the market. With this in mind, GigaCloud plans to expand the geography of Svoe.IT by organizing regional events to support local developers and strengthen the presence of Ukrainian IT solutions in every corner of the country.
The event also featured panel discussions with business and government representatives. Experts discussed issues related to countering hostile software, integrating AI into domestic developments, what is needed for the development of the technology industry, and practical case studies of solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
Throughout the event, funds were raised for the needs of soldiers from the 46th separate brigade. Cloud provider GigaCloud launched the fundraiser together with the Tycho Charitable Foundation, and anyone could contribute with a donation. The fundraiser is still ongoing, and anyone who wishes to contribute can do so via this link.
The general partners of the event were IT Ukraine Association and UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group. Diia.City Union and EIT, the Ukrainian hub of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, organized the Tech Ecosystem Stage. Diia.City United organized a chamber event, Diia.City Square, during the event.
The Svoe.IT 2025 showroom demonstrated the existence of competitive Ukrainian developments in various market segments. GigaCloud announced further steps in the development of the project, including regional events, and therefore Svoe.IT remains a platform for the dissemination of domestic technological solutions and discussion of key issues of the country’s digital development.
https://interfax.com.ua/news/press-release/1071171.html
GigaCloud, Payment services, POS systems, software cash registers, Svoe.IT 2025, Назар Курочко
On May 9, Kyivzelenbud, a Kyiv municipal association for green construction and maintenance of green spaces, announced a tender for compulsory motor third-party liability insurance, according to the Prozorro electronic public procurement system.
The expected cost of the insurance services is UAH 339,077 thousand.
The deadline for submitting tender bids is May 17.
INSURANCE, Kyivzelenbud, motor third-party liability insurance
