How to distil 6 hours of discussion coherently? At a well-attended event at CMS high profile panels of the leading financial players in Ukraine discussed topics from the Macro economic outlook, to gauging levels of growth and business expansion to the importance of long-term financial relationships and governance regarding investment.
In short, Ukraine’s macro economics are quite reasonable, there is good liquidity in the banking system, $40bn in reserves, the economy has grown 4.5% this year,with similar for 2025. Banking reforms are under way as Ukraine seeks EU accession, and the importance of better governance and transparency is critical in attracting investment into the country. FDI is the big ambition, not only to grow the economy but to help rebuild sectors rapidly, such as energy, Logistics and Infrastructure. The Gov UKR seeks to wean industry off government money and IFIs to encourage the private sector and Private equity to step in.
The positive news is that Agriculture, Defence, IT and Healthcare are all growing, along with startups and new entrants to the market and provide good opportunities for investment. Equally, consolidation of the banking sector offers low-cost opportunities to build financial networks, in the way the NJJ telco deal has done for 10 million customers and, in time, transport and many government privatisations will offer, regardless of the war. The big focus for Ukraine is to export more goods and services to substitute areas of the economy that have shrunk, like SME’s. The medium-term opportunities are many and have been described as the biggest investment opportunity of the next decade, as sectors modernise, new business sectors like Insurance develop and innovative sectors like Agritec, IT and Defence services lead the world and are set to export internationally and may even begin reverse FDIs expanding with UKR capital.
Katya Gorbatiouk of the LSE suggested London would be the go-to for Ukrainian companies wanting to list, obtain capital and scale up, offering expertise, experience knowledge of Ukraine and access to international capital markets, including USA funds.
Fundface have been successful investing in Ukraine – Argentum Creek, Reface, Ukraine recovery fund, Ukrainian Venture capital Assoc, Horizon, MITS and are getting double digit returns. If you choose the sector and quality entrepreneurs, who innovate, the returns are currently good. The Gov UKR happy to encourage the funds of blended investments with IFIs as they are compliant with best practice governance and offer a direct track to growing businesses and support mentoring.
Overall, the moral of the investment story is: Invest in UKR Innovation, great entrepreneurs, the instruments of investment and governance are available through the right investor channels and get in now to prepare your business as it will be too late when the stampede begins, which could begin with the ceasefire. Now is the time to invest as there will never be a lower cost of entry point with high returns in the short and medium term.
Link here for the line-up of speakers.