The Ukrainian government delegation to Saudi Arabia is preparing for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the country, particularly in the economic sphere, with large-scale public-private partnership projects and “attractive privatization opportunities worth half a billion dollars” already presented, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said.
“We started the working visit of the Ukrainian government delegation to Saudi Arabia with a meeting with almost a hundred local entrepreneurs (…) We presented projects in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. As well as large-scale public-private partnership projects and attractive privatization opportunities totaling half a billion dollars in investment,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Sunday.
According to her, “dozens of meetings will be held in the coming days to prepare President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia.” In particular, important economic agreements with the countries of the region are being prepared for signing.
According to her, “dozens of meetings will be held in the coming days to prepare President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia.” In particular, important economic agreements with the countries of the region are being prepared for signing.
Svyrydenko noted that Saudi Arabia is now actively supporting Ukraine. They have allocated $500 million to support Ukraine’s recovery. “Now we can illustrate the call to invest in Ukraine without waiting for the end of the war with very specific businesses from Saudi Arabia. For example, FAS Energy, which invested in renewable energy in Ukraine. Or SALIC, which last year in September became a co-owner of one of the largest Ukrainian agricultural holdings, MHP, acquiring a 12.6% stake in the company. I am immensely grateful to all those companies that show leadership and that it is possible and necessary to invest in Ukraine now,” Svyrydenko said.
“I am convinced that we have prospects for even more active attraction of investments from the Middle East. Today, we have seen significant interest primarily in infrastructure projects, energy projects, proposals in the field of innovation, agribusiness, especially fertilizer production, where Saudi Arabia has expertise,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
According to her, exports to Saudi Arabia increased from $291 million in 2023 to $368 million in 2024. “And we expect growth this year as well. We have not yet reached pre-war levels, but I hope we can achieve this, and such business forums will be worth it,” she emphasized.
PU “UKRSADVINPROM” together with its members traditionally took part in the international exhibition FRUIT LOGISTICA, which takes place in Berlin. This is one of the most important events for the global fruit and vegetable market, which brings together producers, suppliers, processors, logistics companies and retailers from all over the world.
The exhibition covers the key areas of the agricultural sector:
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Production – advanced technologies for growing, maintaining quality and marketing products.
Innovations and digital technologies – process automation, modern monitoring and management systems.
Logistics and transportation – efficient solutions to optimize the supply of products.
Sustainable development – ecological farming, economical use of resources.
This year’s stand, organized in cooperation with ITC and UKRSADVINPROM, was presented by six leading Ukrainian companies:
Eco Berry Farm – growing, processing and freezing berries and forest products.
Sady Dnipra LLC (UApple) is a producer of premium apples exported to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Gadz Farm is a large-scale producer of apples, pears, and plums with strong export capabilities.
USPA is an association representing the interests of Ukrainian agricultural producers at the international level.
VITAGRO Agro Holding is one of the TOP-5 largest orchards in Ukraine, producing up to 15,000 tons of apples annually.
BERRY HUB LLC is a producer and marketer of fresh and frozen berries.
Why is participation in FRUIT LOGISTICA important for Ukraine?
Expansion of sales markets – establishing partnerships with international distributors and retailers.
Attracting investors – meetings with leading players in the agricultural sector and investors.
Promotion of Ukrainian products – strengthening the image of Ukraine as a reliable exporter of quality agricultural products.
By participating in FRUIT LOGISTICA, Ukrainian companies get new opportunities for development and integration into global trade networks, which further strengthens Ukraine’s position in the global agricultural market.
February 2025 was a month that reflected the current challenges and prospects for the Ukrainian and global economies. Geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and global changes in trade flows continue to affect economic development. Maksim Urakin, Founder of the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center, PhD in Economics, noted that Ukraine is showing signs of gradual economic recovery despite the difficult internal and external conditions.
Ukraine’s economy in February 2025
According to the National Bank, real GDP growth in January 2025 was 3.4% compared to the same period in 2024. The main drivers of growth were:
– Agriculture: the recovery in exports and the expansion of sales markets provided an increase of 6.5%.
– IT sector: IT services remained a key source of foreign exchange earnings, showing an increase of 10.4%.
– Construction: thanks to large-scale investments in infrastructure and international support, the sector grew by 4.2%.
“Amid the ongoing war and global turmoil, Ukraine’s economy is showing both signs of recovery and certain problems that need attention,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club.
In January 2025, annual inflation was 12.9%, which is higher than in 2024 (12%). This is due to rising food and energy prices. At the same time, the hryvnia exchange rate remains relatively stable, fluctuating between UAH 39-40 per dollar, thanks to the support of international partners and export earnings.
“The decline in inflation is a positive signal for the economy, but an important task remains to increase the level of household incomes to compensate for the impact of past inflationary shocks,” Urakin emphasized.
In January 2025, Ukraine’s exports increased to $3.1 billion, driven by shipments of products and metals. However, imports also increased, mainly due to energy and equipment. The negative balance of foreign trade remains.
“Export dynamics show that Ukrainian companies are actively looking for new markets. Strengthening competitiveness and improving logistics could be the key to reducing the trade deficit,” Urakin said.
In January 2025, the state budget revenues of Ukraine amounted to UAH 282.8 billion, including UAH 128.2 billion for the general fund, which is 83.4% and 10.5% more than in January 2024, respectively. The main role in this was played by revenues from VAT and excise taxes, as well as international assistance. Ukraine’s international reserves increased to $40.1 billion, one of the highest levels in recent years.
“Financial support from international partners remains an important factor in macroeconomic stability. However, it is important to lay the foundation for independent economic growth now,” Urakin emphasized.
Global economic situation in February 2025
According to the IMF, global GDP is expected to grow by 2.9% in 2025, slightly lower than in 2024 (3%). The main reasons for the slowdown are the high cost of borrowing, uncertainty in the financial markets and a decline in global demand.
THE UNITED STATES: The economy is showing moderate growth at 2.3%, driven by robust domestic demand and investment in innovative industries.
European Union: The growth rate remains low at 1.1% due to the ongoing energy crisis and problems in the industry.
China: Growth slowed to 4.5%, due to the real estate crisis and a decline in exports.
India: Stable growth of 6.8%, remaining one of the fastest growing economies.
“The global economy is in a state of fragile balance. The main risks are related to geopolitical instability and high interest rates. However, countries with diversified economies are better able to cope with these challenges,” – Mr. Urakin said.
Oil: Oil prices in February 2025 are around $83 per barrel, having stabilized after the spikes of late 2024.
Gas: The European market continues to be under pressure, with an average gas price of €67 per MWh, due to persistent supply shortages.
Metals: Demand for steel and aluminum has declined, putting pressure on the export capacity of developing countries.
Central banks in major economies are keeping interest rates high to fight inflation. For example, the US Federal Reserve keeps its interest rate at 5.5%, which limits access to cheap capital but helps to reduce inflation.
Ukraine’s economy in February 2025 shows signs of stability and growth, but risks associated with inflation, foreign trade deficit, and dependence on international aid remain. The global economy is slowing down, which creates additional challenges for emerging market countries.
“It is important for Ukraine to continue attracting foreign investment, developing its export potential and strengthening its domestic market. Only systemic reforms and integration into the global economy will allow us to overcome the current difficulties and create the basis for long-term growth,” summarized Maksim Urakin.
You can learn more about current trends in the global economy in the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0sE3ymMnQ
You can subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
The Export Credit Agency (ECA) supported UAH 1.31 billion of Ukrainian exports in January 2025, which is twice as much as in the entire first quarter of 2024, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said.
“One of the key areas of the ‘Made in Ukraine’ policy is to support and develop non-resource exports. Thanks to cooperation with the ECA, Ukrainian exporters reduce their risks and get the opportunity to get cheaper loans, and thus increase sales abroad.
It is important that such cooperation is expanding, and each hryvnia of insurance liability is converted into almost UAH 14 of future export revenue,” the press service of the Ministry of Economy quoted her as saying.
The ministry noted that in the first month of 2025, export credits in the ECA were insured by Creditwestbank, FUIB, and Oschadbank. Entrepreneurs from Khmelnytskyi and Zaporizhzhia regions and the city of Kyiv used this opportunity most often.
These companies produce furniture, ready-made grain and flour products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and dairy products. Their products are exported to 17 countries, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania, the Ministry of Economy added.
As reported, in 2024, the ECA supported UAH 7.53 billion of Ukrainian exports. The tools of the Export Credit Agency of Ukraine are one of the elements of the “Made in Ukraine” policy. Its goal is to support non-resource exports, develop production and attract investment in the real sector.
In Ukraine on Monday, February 17, at night in the north, in the afternoon in most central and eastern regions of light snow, in the rest of the territory without precipitation, reported Ukrhydrometcenter.
Wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s. The roads are icy.
The temperature at night is 10-15° frost, in the Carpathians, in the east of the country, Sumy and Chernihiv regions up to 18° frost, during the day 2-7° frost; in the southern part and in Transcarpathia at night 6-11° frost, during the day about 0°.
In Kiev on February 17, there will be light snow at night and no precipitation during the day. The wind is variable, 3-8 m/s. The roads are icy. The temperature at night is 11-13° frost, while in the daytime it will be 4-6° frost.
According to the Central Geophysical Observatory named after Boris Sreznevsky. Borys Sreznevsky, in Kiev on February 17, the highest temperature during the day was 11.1 ° in 1974, the lowest at night -21.8 ° in 1892.
Tuesday, February 18, in Ukraine without precipitation. The roads are icy, wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s.
The temperature at night 10-15° frost, in the Carpathians and in the east of the country in some places up to 18°, in Transcarpathia and southern regions 7-12° frost; in the daytime 1-6° frost, in the southern part and in Transcarpathia about 0°.
In Kiev on February 18 – no precipitation, icy, wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s.
The temperature at night is 11-13°; during the day 1-3° of frost.
Quotes of interbank currency market of Ukraine (UAH for $1, in 01.10.2024-31.10.2024)
Source: Open4Business.com.ua
