Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

OPENING OF EIGHT BUSINESS CENTERS IN KHMELNYTSKY SCHEDULED BY LATE 2020 – UTG CONSULTING COMPANY

Average vacancy of business centers in Khmelnytsky was 6.7% by August 2019 and by late 2020 it is planned to expand total supply of office space by 24,100 square meters thanks to the launch of eight new business centers, UTG consulting company (Kyiv) has reported.
“In 2018, supply in Khmelnytsky was expanded with two business centers with a lettable area of 8,400 square meters: Luxury class B business center (GLA is 3,700 0 square meters) and Parus class A business center (GLA is 4,700 square meters) However, the main increase in office space in the city was seen in 2016, when 26.4% of the total market supply was built or reconstructed and put into operation, or in absolute terms – lettable area of 12,400 square meters,” UTG Senior Analyst Oksana Gavrilevich told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to her, as of August 2019 in Khmelnytsky there were 19 office buildings with a total lettable area of 51,100 square meters, which corresponds to an indicator of 187.8 square meters per 1,000 inhabitants.
In the structure of supply, business centers of class A occupy 9.2% of the total supply (4,700 square meters), class B – 52.4% (26,800 square meters) and class C – 38.4% (19,600 square meters).
The average vacancy rate in the city’s business centers in August 2019 in terms of classes was: 19% for class A, 7.3% for class B and 2.9% for class C.
The requested rental rates (excluding VAT and OPEX) in office premises in August were: for class A – UAH 300 per square meter ($12), class B – UAH 142 per square meter ($ 5.7), class C – UAH 94.7 per square meter ($3.8).
“For the coming years, office premises are announced for commissioning only in class B. Given the timely commissioning of new projects, by the end of 2021, the total leased area of the city’s business centers will be 65,300 square meters, or 239.8 square meters per 1,000 inhabitants,” Gavrilevich said.

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KYIV INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM TO TAKE PLACE IN KYIV ON 8-9 NOVEMBER

On November 8 and 9, the capital of Ukraine will host the Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) that for the sixth consecutive year brings together well-known world economists, recognized businessmen, representatives of the Ukrainian government and highly respected economic experts.
The main discussion issue of the Forum 2019 is the future in a changing world. From business cases to visionary ideas – KIEF’s speakers will talk about rapid changes in the technology-driven economy. Entrepreneurs, top managers, analysts and strategists of companies, as well as heads of international organizations will answer the main question: what the fourth industrial revolution is and how to get prepared for it.
Why visit the KIEF 2019?
The KIEF is the main platform for business people, economists, scientists and investors to discuss global trends, shape the 2020 development vector, establish new business contacts and strengthen partnerships.
This year at the Forum, speakers will unveil the concepts of doing business in the face of climate change as well as the mechanisms for effectively managing natural disasters under their direct influence on the economy. You will learn how to prepare your business for the effects of climate change.
Speakers from global financial institutions, who have the latest information about the world’s economy, will report about the risks and consequences of the global crisis. You will be able to get ready for the next stage of development of the financial system.
The below speakers will share their vision of the future for the financial world system:
Robert Koopman, the Chief Economist of the World Trade Organization;
Giovanni Salvetti, the Managing Director of the Rothschild International Banking Group, CEE Coordinator;
Vazil Hudák, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank;
Johan Eliasch, a Swedish billionaire businessman, the Chairman and CEO of Head.
Also at the Forum, the representatives of global companies with millions in revenue, investment funds and international banks will speak about their business cases on raising capital. You will learn about new approaches to attracting foreign direct investment for business development.
In addition to educational goals, one of the main KIEF’s goals is to enhance the investment attractiveness of Ukraine. In order to introduce the business opportunities of Ukraine, potential foreign investors were invited to the Forum.
A permanent strategic partner of the Forum is the holding company UFuture, which incorporates companies and social projects of Vasyl Khmelnytskyi.
Vasyl Khmelnitsky, the initiator of the Forum, commented on the idea of creating and holding the Forum: “We live in the days of global and very rapid changes. They inspire and cause concern at the same time. Ukraine faces a choice: to stick to a fragile stability or to move fearlessly towards innovations. It is today when we can make a quantum leap in development – and for this, we require knowledge, cooperation and decisive actions. I see the success of our common future in the synergy of the modernized public sector, the energy of entrepreneurs and the talent of scientists. We must unite for the sake of the global goals, which the humankind have. It is time to move forward, transform business and economy according to the requirements of today. After all, the KIEF is organized to make us feel the trends of the future and become the ones who bring them to life.”
The Kyiv International Economic Forum is an ongoing platform for forming the strategy of Ukraine’s economic development. Each year, the Forum brings together around 2,000 guests and speakers from more than 30 countries to shape integrated strategies of business modernization with a focus on adaptability and innovation.
More information about the Forum’s speakers and panel discussions is available at: https://forumkyiv.org/uk/

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PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE IN FAVOR OF DELAYING ADMISSION FOR FOREIGNERS TO LAND PURCHASE

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is in favor of deferring admission of foreigners to land purchase when launching the land market.
“For a while, we should sell land only to Ukrainians. Only to them,” he said during a press marathon in Kyiv on Thursday.
This period may last several years, the president specified.

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SPORTBANK PLANS TO BOOST NUMBER OF CLIENTS TO 1.5 MLN

Sportbank, a joint project of the mobile bank of Dyvotech IT company and the N1 management company for sports enthusiasts, launched in October this year, could increase the number of customers in three years to 1.5 million, which corresponds to a 10% share in the credit card market, Dyvotech co-founder Denys Saprykin told Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.
“Our main product will be a credit card. In the first year from the start of the project, we plan to attract 100,000 active users, and in three years – 1.5 million, which will allow Sportbank to grow to 10% of the Ukrainian credit card market,” he said.
According to him, a beta version of the project is currently running. The project provides for the issuance of a payment card with a 10% cashback on expenses in sports facilities and its delivery to the client by courier. In the future, Sportbank plans to offer customers credit cards, deposit programs, utility bills settlement through a mobile application, and in the future – foreign currency cards, foreign currency deposits, and the functionality for buying and selling foreign currency through a mobile application.
According to Saprykin, in the Sportbank mobile application it will soon be possible to also pay for goods for sports.
Nick Izmaylov, founder and CEO of N1 Management Company, told Interfax-Ukraine that investment in Sportbank amounted to $1 million.
Izmaylov also said that the possibility of a Sportbank project entering the market of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Moldova with the participation of local partners is being considered in the medium term outlook.

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UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT COUNTS ON TRUMP’S SUPPORT AND PLEDGES NOT TO INTERFERE IN U.S. DOMESTIC POLICY

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he has no intention of interfering in U.S. internal affairs and elections in any way.
“I do not want to interfere in any way in the elections held by this independent nation, the United States, and I will not be doing it … Elect your own president and do not interfere in future elections of an independent Ukraine,” Zelensky said during a press marathon in Kyiv on Thursday.
“With due respect for the United States and America’s policy, we are not serving the latter’s purpose, as we are an independent country. However, we do not want to lose our relations, we wish to strengthen them instead,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine does not take sides in the U.S. domestic dispute, he said.
“We have no right to interfere in any elections in any country. We cannot back any candidates, I mean U.S. politicians,” he said.
It is a big mistake for the United States and bilateral relations to involve the Ukrainian president in these processes, Zelensky said.
Zelensky denied being acquainted and meeting with Ukrainian American businessman Sam Kislin.
“I could not tell who it was even from the photo,” he said.
Journalists asked whether Ukraine could count on U.S. President Donald Trump under the current circumstances.
“We count on support of the United States above all, including support of U.S. President Donald Trump. I’d rather not comment on what is going on in their domestic policy. It’s their domestic policy, and I do not see any change in their attitude towards us in international relations,” Zelensky said.
The problem of blocked deliveries of U.S. weapons to Ukraine has been solved, Zelensky said.
“This has nothing to do with Burisma [company],” he said.
“I do not anticipate any change [in Ukraine-U.S. relations] but if it happens, we will learn about that from Twitter,” Zelensky said jokingly.

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VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE BY TYPE IN JAN-AUG, 2019 (MLN.UAH)

Volume of construction production in Ukraine by type in Jan-Aug, 2019 (mln.UAH)