Ukrainians are ready to cast more votes for presidential candidate and showman Volodymyr Zelensky, who, with a slight margin, is followed by leader of the Batkivschyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko. The incumbent head of state, Petro Poroshenko, ranks third, according to the findings of a poll conducted by Rating Group in January 2019, which were presented at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine. According to the data, the leader of the presidential race is Zelensky, who is supported by 19.0% of those who plan to vote, Tymoshenko secured the support of 18.2% of respondents, while 15.1% are ready to vote for Poroshenko.
Ukrainian banks expect that lending and inflow of deposits continue in 2019, they also count on improvement of the loan portfolio, according to the poll on the conditions of banking lending conducted by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). According to a report posted on the central bank’s website, three quarters of the banks surveyed predict growth in corporate loans in 2019, 62% of respondents – the growth of consumer loans.
Some 66% of respondents predict the continuation of the inflow of deposits from the public in 2019, 67% – the inflow of business funds.
“The value of deposits is the highest in the entire history of observations,” the NBU said.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the demand for loans continued to increase both from the public and business, due to the growing needs of enterprises in funds for capital investment and replenishment of working capital, as well as debt restructuring. At the same time, the business was mainly interested in short-term hryvnia loans.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, banks somewhat increased the standards for approving applications for all types of business loans along with deteriorating expectations, primarily for the exchange rate and economic development, as well as increased collateral risk. However, in the first quarter of 2019, banks plan to slightly relax domestic business lending requirements, especially for loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Consumer lending contributed to growth in the retail loan portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2018. The demand for respective loans was linked to an improvement in consumer confidence and a rise in spending on durable goods.
Standards for loans issued to households have not changed.
According to the report, banks, for the first time in five quarters, noted a decrease in liquidity risk.
“Banks expect that credit, currency and operational risks will increase in the first quarter of 2019, liquidity risks will decrease, interest rates will not change,” the NBU said.
The survey was conducted from December 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 among the loan managers of 61 banks, which share of the total assets of the banking system is 96%. The next survey on bank lending will be about expectations for the second quarter of 2019 and will be published in April.
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The department of the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate in Kherson region in late January 2019 put into operation the first two stages of the 14.4 MW Overyanivka wind farm, which is being built by Windkraft Ukraine (Skadovsk, Kherson region). According to the website of the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate, the total planned capacity of the plant is 69 MW.
Windkraft Ukraine LLC in the fall of last year reported that by the end of 2018 it plans to increase the installed capacity of its wind farms in Kherson region to 170 MW and is considering the next project to increase them by another 150-170 MW.
The members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine expect the continuation of growth of the Ukrainian economy and the increase of profits in 2019 despite the elections, the co-founder and executive director of Horizon Capital, Lenna Koszarny, has said at a press conference of the organizing committee of Ukraine House Davos.
“We asked the members of our chamber, investors who invested huge money in Ukraine, what they expect in 2019. Some 74% answered growth and profits. That is, they will continue to invest, and these are the investors who understand what is happening in the country, that there will be elections,” she said.
She also noted about raising $200 million to the Horizon Capital investment fund – Emerging Europe Growth Fund III, L.P.
“This is a signal for the market that investors are interested in Ukraine. The investors who entered the fund are $350 billion of total capital,” she said.
Alexa Chopivsky, the Executive Director of Ukraine House Davos, also noted the success of the campaign at the economic forum in Davos.
“Three main conclusions can be drawn from our experience in Davos. First, Ukraine House Davos has created a powerful investment brand. Second, we have opened a window for foreigners and sponsors. Third, we have shown a positive image of Ukraine as a country of creativity, innovations and great opportunities,” the expert said.
