Wholesale trade led the way in terms of net growth in the number of companies in Ukraine during the first half of 2026, according to Opendatabot. The number of legal entities in the wholesale trade sector increased by 2,304 thousand over the six-month period.
The information technology sector took second place, with a net increase of 1,254 thousand companies. In the real estate sector, the number of companies increased by 1,104 thousand.
The top five sectors with the largest growth also included non-profit organizations, which increased by 859, and building and grounds maintenance companies, which increased by 824.
At the same time, the number of legal entities decreased in a number of sectors. The largest decline was recorded in public administration and defense—a decrease of 289 companies.
In the education sector, the number of legal entities decreased by 282; in veterinary services, by 20; in water supply, by 14; and in the creative, arts, and entertainment sectors, by 11.
In total, 19,758 thousand new companies were registered in Ukraine from January through June 2026, while the number of business closures stood at 6,563 thousand. The net increase in businesses reached 13,195 thousand.
“Resource” bill No. 5600, which is now being considered by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy, suggests an almost two-fold increase in the cost of a license for the right to wholesale trade in tobacco products in 2022 – up to UAH 975,000 (150 minimum wages), and in 2023 – three-fold, to UAH 1.49 million (230 minimum wages).
MP Nina Yuzhanina (European Solidarity faction) wrote about the initiatives introduced during the consideration of the bill on Facebook on Thursday.
“The cost of the license is untied from a fixed size and transferred to the minimum wages. Argumentation of the Ministry of Finance: today there are 109 such licensees, of which only 54 have an income of more than UAH 12 million. The rest, obviously, are used in schemes. It is not clear how this will help overcome smuggling and counterfeit in the market?” she wrote.
In addition, the proposed initiative obliges manufacturers of electric heating tobacco products to determine ceiling retail prices for these products, which will be used in calculating value added tax (VAT) and excise taxes. Also, data on ceiling retail prices will be necessary for the functioning of the new system of administration of the 5% retail excise tax, which will go to local budgets, she said.
Yuzhanina said that the amendments to the “resource” bill will improve the mechanism for preventing the accumulation of stocks by manufacturers and importers of tobacco products before the next increase in excise tax rates. If the bill is passed, this rule will be in effect from 2022.
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Telegram that the parliamentary committee began considering the bill on September 13 and plans to consider more than 11,000 amendments five hours a day.
