UKRAINE

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With a population of 38 million and a forecasted GDP of $205bn in 2025, Ukraine is a country rich in both natural and business resources. The country has a diverse economy with significant sectors including, but not limited to, heavy industry, power generation, and agriculture. 

Ukraine had a population of approximately 41 million people in 2021. However, this number is subject to change due to the full Russian invasion in 2022, and the figure has been halved for 2024.

Ukrainian GDP was $152bn in 2020. In 2022, it fell by almost 30% due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. However, in 2023, economic growth exceeded expectations, with the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) estimating an annual real GDP growth rate of 5.7%. The intensity and duration of the Russian aggression remain major sources of uncertainty for forecasts. Even with the assumption that the war will wind down by the end of 2024, Ukraine's real GDP is only expected to reach its pre-war level by 2030. Over the last decade, Ukraine's economy has experienced fluctuations, with significant growth in some years and declines in others. The average real GDP growth was 3.1% over the last decade, with a nominal GDP of USD 159 billion in 2022.

Ukraine is the new market for multinational volunteer organisations: highlighting their interest in participating in projects for airports construction/reconstruction, hospitals construction, projects related to water supply systems and land irrigation, as well as renewable energy source (RES) projects. The sectors most affected include housing, transport, commerce and industry, agriculture, and energy. 

Ukraine is relatively rich in mineral resources (coal, iron ore, uranium) and enjoys significant agricultural potential.

The country has experienced several political and economic crises over the past fifteen years. In 2013 - 2014, a political shift towards the West was followed by a loss of control over the Crimean peninsula and military conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the Eastern territories. The economy has recovered from the deep recession of 2013-2015 but remained quite fragile. The Ukrainian economy faced significant challenges due to the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022. Still, growth is expected to continue in the coming years, with forecasts predicting a growth rate above 4%. The war has had a profound impact on Ukraine's productive capacity and infrastructure, with the total cost of reconstruction and recovery estimated at USD 486 billion over the next decade. The direct damage as of the end of 2023 was measured at USD 152 billion. The war has also led to significant human capital losses, with more than 6.4 million Ukrainian refugees registered worldwide and close to 3.7 million internally displaced people.

In 2024, Ukraine's economy is expected to grow by 3.0%, down from the 5.3% growth seen in 2023. The government has been working on securing external financing to support the economy, with a significant aid package from the EU reinforcing this effort. The NBU has been managing the exchange rate cautiously, with substantial foreign exchange interventions to stabilise the hryvnia (UAH). Overall, while the Ukrainian economy has shown resilience and signs of recovery, the road to full recovery remains long and uncertain, heavily dependent on the duration and intensity of the ongoing conflict.

Summary

BNP Paribas's subsidiary UKRSIBBANK has a long history in Ukraine, with the 3rd largest branch network in the country. The bank has a business center in Kyiv, and direct access to the local clearing system, serving the cash and trade management requirements of both local and multinational corporations. UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas is a universal bank that follows a balanced development strategy in retail and corporate banking. UKRSIBBANK is the bank which 470+ International companies choose Ukraine for business activity. Over 100 of these companies use credit facilities (MNC credit portfolio has outstanding a loan-book size over USD 450 million, ~90% of which is drawn in Local Currency).

Currency

  • Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH).

Bank accounts

  • A company is considered resident in Ukraine if it is incorporated in Ukraine.

BNP Paribas Cash Management Capabilities

Cash collections
Cheque collections
Direct debit collections
Domestic incoming transfers
Virtual IBAN
Virtual accounts
International incoming transfers
Card acquiring

Payments & collections

  • This trend has positioned Ukraine among the top teThe National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) operates the System of Electronic Payments (SEP), which processes the majority of interbank payments in the national currency, the hryvnia. SEP is a real-time gross settlement system that operates 24/7.
  • Despite the increasing popularity of digital payment methods, cash remains a significant mode of transaction, making up around 60% of transactions. Cards, particularly those issued by Mastercard and Visa, are widely used, with a growing trend towards cashless payments, and contactless payments also becoming increasingly popular.
  • There is no national electronic banking standard in Ukraine, so companies use banks’ proprietary services. Domestic companies primarily use the Client-Bank system for balance reporting and transaction initiation. BankID, is a system of remote identification, allowing users to access banking and commercial services via the internet. Thirty-nine banks participate in the scheme.
  • The NBU is committed to fostering financial inclusion by making payment services more accessible to underserved populations, including those in rural areas. Overall, the NBU's plans for 2024-2027 reflect a comprehensive approach to modernise Ukraine's payment system, with a focus on innovation, security, and inclusivity.
  • BankID, is a system of remote identification, which allows users to access banking and commercial services via the internet. Fifteen banks and 23 non-banks participate in the scheme.
  • Online and mobile banking services are provided by Ukraine’s leading banks. The NBU has introduced standards for the use of QR codes to initiate credit transfers.

Short term investments

Interest payable on credit balances

  • Interest-bearing current accounts are permitted.

Demand deposits

  • Demand deposits are available in UAH, EUR or USD.

Time deposits

  • Time deposits are available in UAH, EUR or USD for terms of three, six and nine months and one year.

Certificates of deposit

  • Domestic banks and the NBU issue certificates of deposit.

Treasury (government) bills

  • The Ministry of Finance issues treasury bills via regular auctions held by the NBU with terms of three, six, nine months and one year.

Commercial paper

Money market funds

  • Money market funds are available.

Repurchase agreements

  • Repurchase agreements made on government securities are available.

Bankers' acceptances

  • These are not used in Ukraine.

BNP Paribas Trade Finance Capabilities

Documentary credits
Documentary collections

International trade

  • As an associate member of Independent States (CIS), Ukraine is a signatory to the CIS Free Trade Area (CISFTA) agreement alongside Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. To date, the treaty has been ratified in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The CISFTA between Ukraine and Russia has been suspended since 1 January 2016; Ukraine’s other CISFTA agreements remain in effect.