On November 7, the 10th Kyiv International Economic Forum ( KIEF) 2024 will be held with the theme “The Power of Challenge. What will shape the future of Ukraine and the world?“.
For the third time, the forum will be held in Kyiv under martial law. Its participants will discuss the war in Ukraine in the context of the global world: protecting Ukraine’s economic interests in the EU, opportunities and challenges for human capital, the future of the energy system, Ukrainian Defense Tech in the global technology market, and business relations with the government to restore Ukraine.
This year’s Forum will be held against the backdrop of the US presidential election scheduled for November 5. The election results will be one of the key topics for discussion among speakers and participants.
“It is important that business, government and society work together to create effective mechanisms of cooperation. Especially now, when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is compounded by global instability. We are on the verge of great changes, and the question before us is: how will we use them? Will these challenges become an insurmountable obstacle or, on the contrary, an incentive to find new solutions and move forward? “ said Yuriy Pyvovarov, CEO of the Kyiv International Economic Forum.
The organizers expect more than 100 speakers to take part in 16 panel discussions.
Among them:
Representatives of the international community
– Vyacheslavs Dombrovskis, Minister of Economy and Energy of Latvia (2014), Minister of Education and Science of Latvia (2013-2014)
– Katarīna Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine
– Michael McFaul, Professor of Political Science at Stanford University (online)
– John Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
– Crispin Allison, senior partner at Marsh McLennan
– Konstantinos Nakis, Partner and President of Chicago Atlantic Trident
– Dan Rice, President of American University Kyiv, former US Army officer
Leaders of the business community
– Olga Ustinova, CEO of Vodafone Ukraine
– Vasyl Khmelnytsky, Forum initiator, founder of UFuture holding
– Yevhen Osypov, CEO of Kernel
– Natalia Yemchenko, Director of Public Relations and Communications at SCM
– Galina Gerega, co-founder of Epicenter Group of Companies
– Taras Kitsmei, co-founder and member of the Board of Directors at SoftServe
– Sergiy Voitsekhovsky, member of the Board of Directors, BGV Group Management
The discussion panels will also include participants from the public sector – representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Verkhovna Rada.
Program updates and speaker announcements can be found on the website.
This year, in partnership with Gen.Ukrainian, KIEF is allocating part of the proceeds from ticket sales to the psychological rehabilitation of children affected by the war. The funds will be used to organize Gen.Camp camps where children will receive professional help from qualified psychologists and psychotherapists. In addition, those interested can make additional donations at the link.
TheKyiv International Economic Forum is one of the largest international forums in Eastern Europe, bringing together representatives of business, government and society to discuss key economic issues and global trends.
A number of ideas discussed at KIEF were later implemented, in particular, at the legislative level: industrial parks, an export credit agency, energy service contracts, a moratorium on the export of roundwood, and a reduction in the unified social tax. These tools have attracted billions of dollars in investment and increased Ukraine’s GDP.
Registration for the Kyiv International Economic Forum is available here.
Title partners: UFuture, Mastercard, Nova Poshta, AEQUO
Partners: Biopharma, INTERPIPE, FUIB, MHP, Epicenter, PrivatBank, DTEK, Lamel, Ajax Systems, Biosphere Corporation, Sense Bank, Kernel, Vodafone, OKKO, Metinvest
Program partners: ACC (American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine), Center for Social Change and Behavioral Economics, GLOBSEC
Business expert: Forbes Ukraine
Title media partners: Starlight Media, 1+1 media
Media partners: New Voice, LIGA.net, RBC-Ukraine, Delo.ua, Interfax-Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent, TAVR Media, Mind.ua, Kyiv Post
To apply for media accreditation: accreditation form.
Contact person for registration of participants:
Oleksandra Barabash
Tel.: +380 50 880 0010
Email: tickets@forumkyiv.org
Contact person for media accreditation:
Bohdana Myshkovska
Tel: +380 63 597 4806
Email: bogdana@sameandfriends.com
Interfax-Ukraine is a media partner of the Forum.
NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine plans to import 2-3 bcm of gas, according to the published memorandum on economic and financial policy for the 5th review of the EFF program with the IMF.
“For the upcoming heating season 2024/25. Ukraine plans to import additional gas for domestic consumption in the amount of up to 2-3 billion cubic meters, while additional gas may be stored by non-residents for the needs of the EU countries in accordance with the baseline scenario,” the document says.
At the same time, it is noted that restrained domestic consumption and growing domestic production limited the need for gas imports in the last heating season.
Regarding import plans for this year’s heating season, it is noted that Naftogaz has secured additional financing for gas imports from the EBRD and bilateral donors.
If Naftogaz faces a liquidity shortage, the government is ready to assess the amount of compensation for the company’s special obligations in 2025 based on its actual documented costs, verified by the State Audit Service and other stakeholders. The relevant calculations will be finalized by the end of August 2025.
“The potential pressure on costs related to gas imports and PSO compensation will be taken into account by adjusting the fiscal balance targets to take into account the above assessment, the results of the audit of the debt of district heating companies (DHCs), available funding, and limited to UAH 60 billion (about 0.8% of GDP),” the document says.
It also notes that the energy sector reform agenda, “as soon as conditions allow,” includes additional gradual increases in gas and electricity tariffs with parallel support for vulnerable consumers, and after the war ends, it will require restoring and strengthening competition in the wholesale and retail gas markets.
It is noted that the government will adopt a roadmap for the gradual liberalization of gas and electricity markets with an implementation plan indicating the timeline for the period after martial law.
As reported, Naftogaz Group CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said in early October in a commentary to Energoreforma that as of November 1, the company’s purchases of gas in the customs warehouse (CW) mode, which is carried out as a reserve at the expense of the EBRD loan, will be “within 500-600 million cubic meters.”
At the end of 2022, Naftogaz attracted an EBRD loan for EUR 300 million under state guarantees, which created a reserve stock of natural gas in the amount of 748 million cubic meters in the customs warehouse (CU) mode.
A new agreement on the EBRD loan to Naftogaz for EUR 200 million under state guarantees was signed in November 2023. At the time, it was emphasized that it would come into force after the state guarantees were issued. Norway and the Netherlands shared the credit risk with the bank.
The CU regime allows natural gas to be stored in Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities for three years without paying taxes and customs duties during its further transportation from the country.
On October 17, on the eve of the Day of Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, many honored guests gathered in the space of the National Library of Ukraine for Children to celebrate the Day of Culture of Azerbaijan: Distinguished Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of foreign countries, readers and people’s artists of Ukraine. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is an incredible country with well-established traditions and a unique culture, where wonderful people live. The rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan combines elements of the East and the West. This country has given the world not only outstanding scientists and artists, but also preserved unique cultural heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Ukraine and Azerbaijan have strong political, diplomatic, and economic ties.
The National Library of Ukraine expresses its sincere gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Seymur Mardaliyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine, for the close, friendly cooperation with the National Library of Ukraine for Children.
This year, the Embassy of Azerbaijan became a partner in organizing and conducting the III All-Ukrainian Environmental Children’s Drawing Contest “The Future of the Planet is in Our Hands”, and helped to involve the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan SOCAR Energy in Ukraine in the co-organizers of the contest. Representatives of the Embassy and the oil company worked in the jury, participated in the press conference and awarding ceremony of the winners and prize-winners, and provided gifts for the children.
Thanks to Mr. Ambassador, new wonderful children’s books were added to the library’s collection.
Seymour Mardaliev and Alla Gordienko delivered their speeches on stage and assured the audience of a fruitful and strong partnership and friendship.
Part of the culture of every nation is its poetic word. As part of the national project “Ukraine Reads to Children”, Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ukraine Galibbay Agadashov and Assistant and Translator of the Ambassador Olena Nazarenko read the poem “The Bee” by the famous Azerbaijani children’s poet and prose writer Abdullah Shahig in Azerbaijani and Ukrainian.
As part of the celebration, students of the Irpin Humanitarian Lyceum “Linguist” named after Zarifa Aliyeva, headed by the deputy directors of the lyceum, visited the NBU for children for the first time. This educational institution also enjoys a true friendship with the Embassy of Azerbaijan.
On the second floor of the library, adults and children visited the book exhibition “Cultural Values of the Azerbaijani People”, decorated with household items. The exhibition will be on display at the National Library of Ukraine for Children for 10 days.
The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ukraine treated all the guests of the holiday with delicious Azerbaijani delicacies.
In January-September 2024, Ukraine imported 526.545 thousand tons of salt worth $69.844 million, which is 65.6% and 6.64% more than in the same period last year, respectively.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), Egypt became the largest supplier of salt to Ukraine, accounting for 55.41% of total imports worth $38.7 million in January-September 2024.
Turkey and Romania accounted for 15.7% and 15.6% of supplies, for which these countries earned $10.96 million and $10.81 million, respectively.
A year earlier, Ukraine’s top three salt importers were Turkey with a 30.9% share, Egypt and Romania with 21.6% and 20.9%, respectively. Their revenues from salt sales amounted to $20.3 million, $14.11 million and $13.697 million, respectively.
In January-September 2024, Ukraine reduced its salt exports to a record low of 21 tons, for which it earned $21 thousand. Its buyers were Romania, which purchased 17 tons (80.9%), Moldova and Spain purchased a ton each, which was 4.8% for each country.
A year earlier, salt exports amounted to 38 tons, for which Ukraine earned $155 thousand. Exports of this product were supported by Romania, which bought 35 tons (94.6%), and Moldova – a ton (2.7%).
As reported, in pre-war 2021, Ukraine exported 710.04 thousand tons of salt for $28.32 million, while in 2022 it fell fivefold in physical terms to 142.038 thousand tons, and revenue fell even more, to $3.82 million. In 2021, the main buyers of Ukrainian salt were Poland (39.1%), Hungary (27.4%), and Romania (7.3%). In 2021, Ukraine imported 142.81 thousand tons of salt worth $12.92 million.
After the occupation of the country’s largest salt producer, Artemsol, by Russian troops, Ukrainian salt exports amounted to only 149 tons for $32 thousand in the first half of 2023.
More than half of the bankrupts are Ukrainians aged 25 to 45
651 bankruptcy cases are currently open, according to the Supreme Court of Ukraine. The number of cases has almost doubled in the last 4 months of this year. The largest number of bankrupts is in Kyiv and its region and in Dnipropetrovs’k region. 64% of bankrupts are people aged 25 to 45.
651 bankruptcy cases have been opened in Ukraine this year. The number of cases has almost doubled since the beginning of summer.
So far, more bankruptcy cases have been opened against Ukrainians than in the whole of last year: 575 such cases were considered then.
Most often, people aged 25 to 45 apply to be declared insolvent – 64.1% of bankrupts. Another 28.7% are over 45 years old.
51% of bankrupts are women, and another 48% are men.
Most bankrupts are in the capital: 95 cases or 15% of the total number. Kyiv region follows with 58 or 9%. Dnipropetrovs’k region closes the top with 53 cases, which is 8% of the total.
Denys Lykhopiok, Insolvency Receiver, believes that the current dynamics is most likely a “pent-up demand” rather than a rapid growth caused by any one factor.
“It should be understood that at the beginning of the full-scale war, people did not have time to deal with debts – they were prioritizing survival.
At the same time, there was a moratorium on the collection of most debts in enforcement proceedings for more than a year. Even after the moratorium was lifted, private and public bailiffs reminded debtors of their obligations. This may have been the driving force that prompted people to seek a solution to their debts through insolvency proceedings.
In addition, Ukraine is already developing a positive judicial practice in bankruptcy matters,” comments Denys Lykhopiok, attorney at law, insolvency officer, member of the Qualification Commission of Insolvency Officers, and bankruptcy specialist.
Context.
The Verkhovna Rada allowed citizens to become bankrupt back in October 2018. The procedure became fully operational in 2019. Since then, a person in a difficult financial situation can initiate bankruptcy and, after going through the entire procedure, get rid of debts.
https://opendatabot.ua/analytics/people-bankrupts-2024-10
Kyivpastrans municipal enterprise intends to purchase five fully low-floor three-section self-propelled tramcars with a length of 25.5-28 m by December 31, 2025, for an expected amount of UAH 493 million 071.4 thousand.
According to Prozorro, the relevant tender was announced on October 18, with bids accepted until October 28.
The technical conditions stipulate that the trams should be produced no earlier than 2024, have at least 60 seats and at least one seat for a wheelchair passenger, and have USB ports for charging gadgets in the cabin.
In addition, the vehicle must have an autonomous range of at least 1 thousand meters on a horizontal straight line. The warranty period is 24 months from the date of commissioning.
The terms provide for 100% cash on delivery within five working days from the date the buyer signs the invoice for the actually delivered batch of goods.
According to the AllTransUA portal, two models of trams already in operation in Kyiv – manufactured by Polish Pesa and Ukrainian Tatra-Pivden – meet the criterion of the length of the cars stipulated by the technical specifications, while the car manufactured by Lviv-based Electron does not meet the requirements (the length of the three-section Electron tram is 19.5 m – IF-U).
