Most Attractive for Foreign Investment: Ukrainian Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Consumer Goods

KYIV, Ukraine, December 15, 2011 -

Ukrainian agriculture, fuel and energy complex, financial services, and production of consumer goods will become the most appealing sectors of national economy for foreign investments in 2012. Such prediction was made by the President of the American Chamber of Commerce (ACC) in Ukraine Jorge Zukoski in his interview with the Ukrainian Week.

Ukrainian businesses look for ways to turn the country into a platform for exporting goods and services to Europe, according to the ACC President. The agricultural sector of Ukrainian economy is most likely to become the most profitable in the country. Within the next five years Ukraine can double the efficiency of the sector. To achieve this, however, additional domestic and international investments, as well as new technologies and infrastructure are needed, commented Zukoski. The global demand for Ukrainian agricultural produce is steadily growing, conditioned by the increase of the world’s population [hence the rise of need for food]. “Ukraine is in a unique position, because it can fill this niche [of food production],” stated the President of the ACC.

Given Ukraine’s rich grain production in 2011, this August the country initiated the creation of the world’s grain reserve under the auspices of the United Nations. Minister Prysyazhnyuk explained that Ukraine aimed to form a grain reserve of 10 to 12 million tons, preserve it and make grain interventions on the market following the respective decisions by the UN. Nonetheless, Zukoski stated that the lack of political stability can pose problems for Ukraine’s agricultural prosperity.  

As for the energy sector, Ukraine is thriving for independence. “Gas and oil tenders… can significantly increase its investment attractiveness,” told Zukoski the Ukrainian Week. He also noted that the ACC had witnessed some positive trends in the sector: two tenders on developing the unconditional gas deposits, which were made possible by adopting the new law on diversification of production. The sector bears a potential to attract billions of dollars worth of investments, according to the expert.

Commenting on the financial sector of Ukrainian economy Zukoski pointed out, that the Ukrainian banking system was strong enough to survive the recent world economic crisis. Speaking of the traditional sectors which attract additional investments, the ACC President also mentioned the production of consumer goods.  

For more information, contact Maryna Khorunzha +380443324784 news at wnu-ukraine.com, Project Manager at Worldwide News Ukraine.