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Evergreen and challenging opportunities at the big market next to EU Seminar Export Steps. Why does somebody run a business in Ukraine?. A limited choice globally; limited finance; overestimated S-E Asia 45 m of retail customers 2012 : import of goods USD 90 bln ; GDP USD 176 bln ;
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Evergreen and challenging opportunities at the big market next to EU Seminar Export Steps
Why does somebody run a business in Ukraine? • A limited choice globally; limited finance; overestimated S-E Asia • 45 m of retail customers • 2012: import of goods USD 90 bln; GDP USD 176 bln; • Geographical proximity to EU and former USSR markets • High retail prices (meat, clothes prices = EU prices) • Relatively low cost of labor, agro land rent and some other resources • Relatively understandable national culture, similar to Eastern European patterns • Relatively easy access to Ukraine for EU citizens (no visa for short term visits) • WTO member (2008), DK-UA Double taxavoidance convention • 100% mobile connection coverage • 41% internet penetration • Attractive margin rates, higher than in developed countries, and high risks
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy • Agricultural production and Food processing • IT – outstaffing, outsourcing, software development • Energy Efficiency / Renewable Energy / District Heating • Retail trade (2012: USD 98 bln turnover (food + non-food) after 14% y/y growth) • Health Care products • Outsourced processing – a new revival in textiles and wood / metal processing
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy: Agro Production and Food Processing • 1/2 of national export • Agro land is not for sale; unstable legal environment • 1/3 of black soil of the world; 50 m ha of arable land in Ukraine • Annual production of grain 45-55 m tonnes of grains (2013 harvest is at 55 m) and annual internal consumption of 25 m • High profitability of farming business in Ukraine. The good players reach on average EUR 450 EBIDTA/ha • Ideal geographic localization of Ukraine close to its major off takers (Europe, Middle East, Turkey, North Africa, China) with easy access to sea
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy: IT Software Development, e-commerce • One of global top 10 software development players (~ USD 1.5 bln / year export) • 30 thousand of IT developers • ~ 10 Danish owned IT companies • IT companies demonstrate 15-25% growth annually • Outsourcing to Ukraine: • Software development • Call centers • Accounting / reporting • IT support • Favorable tax regime for IT companies and IT developers • 41% of population internet penetration, mostly social networks • 15% of population use smart phones • Rapidly growing volume of on-line trade and services inside Ukraine
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy: Energy Efficiency / Alternative Energy • Highly energy-intensiveeconomy- needfor energyefficiencyand diversification of resources • High dependence on import of gas and oil from Russia • District heating is very much depreciated and needs huge investments • Ukraine isone of 20 biggestCO2 emittersin the worldwith >1% of globalemissions, whereasitseconomyis0.2% of the globaleconomy • State support - green tariffs - rates comparable to EU levels • National grid obliged to connect renewable sources to the network • Guaranteed off-take by the State Energy Company through 2029 • 0% customsduty; 0% VAT on equipment imports through 2019, but minimum localcontentmustbe observed: 15% in 2012, 30% in 2013 and 50% in 2014 (???) • Shale gas agreements with Shell and Chevron
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy: Retail Sector • Population of 45 m people • Anumber of consumers can afford purchasing high-quality food products • Food trade outlets exceeded 48,000 in 2012 • Approximately 10-15 % of all Ukrainian gas stations (~ 7,000) have stores that sell packaged food products • Urban life style changes increase demand for semi-finished and ready-to-cook products • Frequently changing trade legislation and policies often impact trade. Import tariffs were lowered by WTO accession but threatened with hikes “to protect Balance of Trade.” • Rapid development of local manufacturers of ready-to-cook products creates tough competition for similar imported goods • Difficulties in finding a reliable partner or distributor
Most perspective sectors of the UA economy: Health and medical sector • A lot of smokers in UA but HEALTH is IMPORTANT • Big market of 45 mln people • Local state health support is weak • A lot of professional companies are in the sector • Good reputation of Danish medicine • Pharmaceuticals • Equipment • No state support for new and modern technologies • Registration of the pharmaceuticals
Challenges to expect • Ever changing regulations • Ruined roads • Unreliable municipal infrastructure • Larger businesses experience smaller problems in Ukraine • Strong competition from Ukrainians, Russians, Middle East and China • Typical Europeans’ mistakes: Ukraine is like Texas in 19th century – take it seriously, apply your professionalism, be persistent
Ukraine has proved to be a difficult country to do business in/with • High level of corruption, too complicated taxation (22 different taxes), weak investor protection • Malfunctioning and politicized court system • Lack of support from local authorities, extortion via “charity” • Low European languages proficiency, underdeveloped business culture • #137 out of 183 World Bank’s most recent Ease of Doing Business ranking (#152 in 2012) • “2 hours of flight away / 30 years behind”
What Denmark can do to protect and develop Danish business in Ukraine? • Danish Embassy/Trade Council in Kyiv: • Evaluating market opportunities / market research • Partner search, negotiations • Organizing the meeting programs and seminars • Lobbying • Defending the interests of Danish companies working in Ukraine • Highlighting the activities of the Danish companies in Ukraine • Relatively large, organized and active Danish/EU lobby • Danish Business Association (Lviv) • Nordic/Scandinavian business clubs • EBA (European Business Association) • AmCham(Amercian Chamber of Commerce) • EKF export guaranteeing • State-owned IFU is ready to come up with additional financing
Thank you!Tetyana KobchenkoCommercial Advisortetkob@um.dk+38044 2001268+38067 4415717