Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

largest wind power plant in Moldova will be built by French company

The French group of companies Qair, specializing in the construction of RES facilities, will build in Moldova the country’s largest wind power plant (WPP) with a capacity of 27.5 MW, the company said. Qair has won the relevant tender in Moldova.

The report also notes that in Romania, the group has been awarded a second 50MW contract for price difference (CfD) for its 100MW Cobadin wind farm under construction in the Constanta region, and is also constructing an 8MW wind farm in Bordei-Verde, a project supported by the EU. With the wind power project in Moldova, the total capacity of the company’s wind power plants under construction will amount to 135.5 MW.

“The signing of the agreement in Moldova reflects the growing complementarity of the Moldovan and Romanian markets, which are now coordinated by a single operator. This allows Qair to optimize asset management and maximize the return on its investment in the region,” the statement said.

Qair also has 1.7 GW of wind, solar and energy storage capacity in operation or under construction in the UK, Poland, Germany and France. The group is developing a portfolio of projects totaling 34 GW in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa.

In June, Moldova’s Ministry of Energy identified 4 companies that will invest €200 million over three years to build wind and solar parks with a total capacity of 165 MW. A new round of tenders for the construction of RES with an estimated capacity of up to 173 MW is scheduled for October 2025.

The development of RES generation in Moldova will contribute to the realization of the authorities’ plans to ensure at least 30% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030. In 2024, Moldova’s RES generation generated 691,000 MWh of electricity, representing 16.7% of annual consumption.

 

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China may take measures to reduce steel production

China will take measures to reduce steel output in 2025-2026, Reuters writes, citing an informed source and an official document from the ministries of industry, environment and others it has consulted. According to the document, the world’s largest steel producer will also severely limit new capacity.

“The steel industry has faced overcapacity and insufficient effective demand, resulting in a supply-demand imbalance affecting the quality and efficiency of development,” the document said.

The document does not set production reduction targets. However, it notes, such reduction will be achieved by closing obsolete and inefficient furnaces and supporting the development of advanced enterprises.

At the same time, it plans to increase the industry’s value-added by 4% per year, invest in new technologies and encourage the use of steel in housing and infrastructure construction.

Beijing will also strengthen measures to ensure stability in the cost and supply of raw materials, including iron ore and coking coal, and take steps to strengthen the management of steel exports, the document said. An informed source confirmed the authenticity of the document and said it was the latest version.

 

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Analysis of the Albanian housing market in first half of 2025

Relocation conducted an analysis of the Albanian housing market in the first half of 2025. In 2025, the market is moving towards normalization after an extremely turbulent period from 2022 to 2024. There are fewer building permits, the growth in construction costs has slowed down, prices in the capital have stabilized, and prices on the coast remain high. The share of deals involving foreigners is close to one in five for the half-year, based on the latest Bank of Albania survey (data for H2’2024), and their investments exceeded €380 million in 2024.

Building permits. In Q1 2025, 258 permits for new buildings were issued (-17% y/y). This is a sign of caution on the part of developers after record years and a factor that will restrain supply in 2025-2026 (we are awaiting data for Q2).

Construction costs. The housing construction cost index (INSTAT) rose by 1.0% y/y in Q1 2025, significantly slower than a year ago (3.4% y/y), which partially relieves price pressure from materials and labor.

Prices: capital vs. coast

  • Tirana. Local sources note price stabilization in early 2025 after strong growth in 2022–2024; the market Fisher index indicates that there has been no significant price increase in 2025 (in the long term — an increase of about 40% over 10 years).
  • Coast (Vlora/Saranda). The media reports that prices remain high and demand is strong, with double-digit growth in some locations until 2024 (most strongly in the prestigious coastal districts of Vlora). This is largely due to tourism and interest from non-residents.

According to the Bank of Albania (latest published market survey, H2’2024), about 18% of apartments sold in Albania were purchased by non-residents, of which ≈77% were EU citizens. This is an important benchmark for the first half of 2025: the share of foreigners remains significant, especially in coastal municipalities.

Mortgage loans finance a significant portion of transactions, but the share of cash purchases remains high in resort areas.

Rentals and profitability

  • Tirana. After peaking in 2023–2024, rental rates in the capital adjusted and stabilized in early 2025. (Consolidated market estimates: moderate decline/sideways movement with high occupancy rates.)
  • Coastal areas. In Vlora/Saranda, rental yields remain relatively high thanks to the tourist season; for one-bedroom apartments in Vlora in 2025, the benchmark is €300–500/month in the off-season (higher in summer), which supports investor interest in rental properties.

Foreign buyers

  • Total volume. In 2024, non-residents invested €380 million (+17% y/y) in Albanian real estate. This is the third year of consecutive growth; the trend for 2025 is for foreign activity to remain strong (official monthly breakdown by nationality for 2025 is not published).
  • Who is buying. The Bank of Albania confirms the dominance of EU citizens among foreigners; according to Albanian media and market reports, buyers from Italy, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the UK, as well as Middle Eastern and regional investors, remain highly interested, especially in coastal cities. (This is an assessment by the press/agencies; there is no official ranking by nationality.)

As for forecasts, supply will grow moderately. As for prices, there will be more stable dynamics in the capital and higher seasonal volatility on the coast. Demand from non-residents will remain strong, especially in coastal locations and rental projects.

Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analysis-of-the-housing-market-in-albania-in-the-first-half-of-2025/

 

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Ukrainian citizens ranked 11th in terms of real estate purchases in Montenegro

In the first quarter of 2025, foreigners purchased €113.5 million worth of real estate in Montenegro (-21% year-on-year), with citizens and companies from Serbia, Turkey, and the US being the largest buyers, according to data from the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) published by Vijesti.

Ukrainian citizens ranked 11th, along with buyers from Poland and the Czech Republic.

Ranking of countries by purchase volume, Q1’2025

  1. Serbia — €19.2 million
  2. Turkey — €16.0 million
  3. United States — €13.8 million
  4. Germany — €11.5 million
  5. Cyprus — €5.3 million
  6. Russia — €4.7 million
  7. UAE — €4.4 million
  8. Switzerland — €3.8 million
  9. United Kingdom — €3.3 million
  10. Kosovo — €3.0 million

Outside the top ten, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic are in 11th place (€2.3 million each), followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina (€1.9 million), Canada, and France (€1.4 million each). The geography of the deals covers buyers “from five continents,” the source notes.

According to CBCG, in January-March 2025, the total inflow of FDI into Montenegro amounted to €211 million, of which 54% was accounted for by real estate purchases. Other forms of FDI (investments in companies/banks, intra-group loans) declined. Monstat records a steady increase in prices for new buildings: the average price exceeded €2,000/m²; the coastal region remains the most expensive.

The rating is based on the value of transactions concluded in Q1’2025 according to official statistics from the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) published in Vijesti; the countries and amounts are given in euros. The final annual results are usually published by the CBCG in consolidated reports.

Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1340

 

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Rauta is recognized as best construction company of year according to Ukrainian Business Award 2025

The Ukrainian Business Award is an independent award that recognizes the best companies in Ukraine for their contribution to the economy and society. The winners are selected based on objective data and expert opinions.

The award is a confirmation of Rauta’s leadership in the construction market and its contribution to the development of the Ukrainian economy, as the company continues to operate steadily, introduce new technologies and actively participate in the restoration of destroyed buildings during the full-scale invasion. Since 2022, the company has participated in the reconstruction of the Retroville shopping center, two supermarkets and the Novus logistics terminal, Forum Park Plaza in Kyiv, Pinocchio kindergarten in Bucha, and a truck service station in Odesa.

https://rautagroup.com/uk/rauta-stala-krashhoyu-budivelnoyu-kompaniyeyu-roku-za-versiyeyu-ukrainian-business-award-2025/

 

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Clearing Center’s rating of clearing participants has identified OTP Bank as one of leaders

JSC OTP BANK is on the second place in several July ratings of the Settlement Center for servicing contracts in the financial markets. In particular, in the overall rating of clearing members, among clearing members in the securities market and among clearing members in the repo and foreign exchange swap markets, OTP Bank is the second. This information is published on the website of the Settlement Center. OTP Bank is a leader among banking institutions with foreign capital, and it is also ahead of several state-owned banks.

“In the first seven months of 2025, our individual clients purchased government bonds for a total amount of UAH 7.7 billion in equivalent. Up to 99% of all transactions are conducted in the banking application,” said Valeria Ovcharuk, product owner of OTP BANK.

She reminded that thanks to the OTP Bank UA application, you can invest in government bonds directly at auctions of the Ministry of Finance or buy bonds from the Bank’s portfolio 24/7, from anywhere in the world. “Among our clients, 48% go to auctions on their own, while the rest prefer to buy from the portfolio. There is a large selection, and customers can compare rates, maturities, and interest payment options as if in an online store,” said Ovcharuk.

To learn more about investing in domestic government bonds through the OTP Bank UA app, please follow the link.

 

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