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Ukraine Tomorrow: lessons from 2024 and a vision for the future

20/ 12/ 2024
  On 17 December, the Kyiv School of Economics hosted an event that brought together business representatives, educators, and civil society leaders to review the outcomes of 2024 and outline development directions for 2025. The event was organised by KSE in collaboration with the European Business Association, with the support of OTP Bank. The event’s central theme: building Ukraine’s future on resilience, collaboration, and innovation. Participants discussed market trends, effective solutions, and unanswered questions heading into the new year. Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association, opened the event with welcoming remarks. She emphasised that businesses continue to operate, invest, and plan for the future. Positive signals are emerging in the market, such as increased activity from potential foreign investors and the start of post-war planning by companies—an encouraging development absent in the initial years of full-scale invasion. Anna also expressed gratitude to the KSE team for promoting the highest international education standards in Ukraine. Oleksandr Kravchenko, Managing Partner of McKinsey in Ukraine, thanked all participants on behalf of the KSE Board of Directors. He highlighted that collaboration between education and business lays the foundation for sustainable development and shapes the vision for Ukraines future. The Phenomenon of Ukrainian Business: Solutions Tested by War A business panel explored opportunities, risks, and forecasts for various economic sectors in the coming year. Key events for Ukraine and its business community in 2024 were also discussed. Tomas Fiala, CEO of Dragon Capital and Member of the EBA Board, noted a growing interest from foreign investors in Ukraine despite the ongoing war. Many predict that active combat operations may end in 2025, opening new financing opportunities while intensifying market competition. He stressed the importance of preparing for these changes now to lay the groundwork for Ukraines post-war success. Oleksandr Kravchenko underscored the need to channel funding into smaller projects as a prelude to large-scale investment initiatives. He advised businesses to prepare for 2025 by considering three scenarios—positive, negative, and realistic—to navigate potential challenges. He also highlighted the U.S. economic situation as a key context for identifying growth opportunities for Ukrainian businesses. Marina Pavliuk, General Manager of Glovo Ukraine, shared the companys 2025 plans, which include supporting SMEs, geographical expansion, and investments in employee safety. She highlighted resilience, local context expertise, and a strong team as critical factors in overcoming challenges. A significant milestone for Glovo in 2025 will be its eastward expansion, the first since the full-scale invasion began. Volodymyr Mudry, Chairman of OTP Bank, revealed that the banks market portfolio grew by 40% over the past year—an optimistic signal for businesses. He outlined challenges for the banking sector, such as the lack of a law on war risk insurance and insufficient investment demand for loans. Volodymyr’s team is developing programs for SMEs and working to attract foreign investment to support Ukraines development. Marta Trush, CEO of Auchan Ukraine, reflected on a challenging but productive 2024. Key achievements included significant loss reductions, team retention, energy efficiency improvements across stores, and expanding product ranges with private-label goods. Strategic goals for 2025 include supporting local producers and artisans in adapting to European quality and food safety standards. Auchan also plans to invest in network security and maintain consumer purchasing power by offering affordable options for basic goods. Online Dialogue: Tymofiy Mylovanov and Michael Kimmage The discussion focused on analysing geopolitical challenges that will shape Ukraine’s 2025 trajectory, including potential war scenarios and prospects for cooperation with international partners. Michael Kimmage, a professor of history at The Catholic University of America, highlighted potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under a Trump administration. While U.S. support for Ukraine might pivot from offensive to defensive strategies, Kimmage believes Ukraine remains America’s most strategic European partner. Rapid progress toward EU integration will be key to strengthening this partnership. Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of KSE, concluded that Ukraine must actively work on post-war recovery plans now. Success will depend on collaboration among businesses, the government, and civil society. Geopolitical Forecast for 2025: Global Dynamics and Ukraine’s Path Forward An expert discussion addressed global trends likely to influence Ukraine in 2025, including geopolitical shifts in Europe, the impact of a Trump administration in the U.S., and scenarios for ending the war. Tymofiy Brik, Rector of KSE, opened the dialogue by emphasising the role of social institutions. Drawing on the works of Nobel laureates Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson, he highlighted that while institutions are essential for progress, collaboration between businesses, civil society, and the government is crucial for leading the country toward prosperity. Valeriy Pekar, a lecturer at kmbs and UCU Business School, offered his perspective on navigating uncertainty in 2025. His advice to businesses included preparing for worst-case scenarios, developing action plans and budgets for different outcomes, and crafting post-war strategies now, as thorough preparation for the future aids in understanding the present. Oleksiy Sobolev, Honorary Professor of Practice at KSE and First Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, stressed the importance of long-term planning and adapting to global political and economic changes, particularly those stemming from the U.S. Ukraine has all the prerequisites for sustainable economic growth, even amid war. However, the future requires new strategies for collaboration among businesses, the state, and education, the attraction of foreign investment, and a readiness for long-term, risk-oriented planning.
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On 17 December, the Kyiv School of Economics hosted an event that brought together business representatives, educators, and civil society leaders to review the outcomes of 2024 and outline development directions for 2025. The event was organised by KSE in collaboration with the European Business Association, with the support of OTP Bank.

The event’s central theme: building Ukraine’s future on resilience, collaboration, and innovation. Participants discussed market trends, effective solutions, and unanswered questions heading into the new year.

Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association, opened the event with welcoming remarks. She emphasised that businesses continue to operate, invest, and plan for the future. Positive signals are emerging in the market, such as increased activity from potential foreign investors and the start of post-war planning by companies—an encouraging development absent in the initial years of full-scale invasion. Anna also expressed gratitude to the KSE team for promoting the highest international education standards in Ukraine.

Oleksandr Kravchenko, Managing Partner of McKinsey in Ukraine, thanked all participants on behalf of the KSE Board of Directors. He highlighted that collaboration between education and business lays the foundation for sustainable development and shapes the vision for Ukraine’s future.

The Phenomenon of Ukrainian Business: Solutions Tested by War

A business panel explored opportunities, risks, and forecasts for various economic sectors in the coming year. Key events for Ukraine and its business community in 2024 were also discussed.

Tomas Fiala, CEO of Dragon Capital and Member of the EBA Board, noted a growing interest from foreign investors in Ukraine despite the ongoing war. Many predict that active combat operations may end in 2025, opening new financing opportunities while intensifying market competition. He stressed the importance of preparing for these changes now to lay the groundwork for Ukraine’s post-war success.

Oleksandr Kravchenko underscored the need to channel funding into smaller projects as a prelude to large-scale investment initiatives. He advised businesses to prepare for 2025 by considering three scenarios—positive, negative, and realistic—to navigate potential challenges. He also highlighted the U.S. economic situation as a key context for identifying growth opportunities for Ukrainian businesses.

Marina Pavliuk, General Manager of Glovo Ukraine, shared the company’s 2025 plans, which include supporting SMEs, geographical expansion, and investments in employee safety. She highlighted resilience, local context expertise, and a strong team as critical factors in overcoming challenges. A significant milestone for Glovo in 2025 will be its eastward expansion, the first since the full-scale invasion began.

Volodymyr Mudry, Chairman of OTP Bank, revealed that the bank’s market portfolio grew by 40% over the past year—an optimistic signal for businesses. He outlined challenges for the banking sector, such as the lack of a law on war risk insurance and insufficient investment demand for loans. Volodymyr’s team is developing programs for SMEs and working to attract foreign investment to support Ukraine’s development.

Marta Trush, CEO of Auchan Ukraine, reflected on a challenging but productive 2024. Key achievements included significant loss reductions, team retention, energy efficiency improvements across stores, and expanding product ranges with private-label goods. Strategic goals for 2025 include supporting local producers and artisans in adapting to European quality and food safety standards. Auchan also plans to invest in network security and maintain consumer purchasing power by offering affordable options for basic goods.

Online Dialogue: Tymofiy Mylovanov and Michael Kimmage

The discussion focused on analysing geopolitical challenges that will shape Ukraine’s 2025 trajectory, including potential war scenarios and prospects for cooperation with international partners.

Michael Kimmage, a professor of history at The Catholic University of America, highlighted potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under a Trump administration. While U.S. support for Ukraine might pivot from offensive to defensive strategies, Kimmage believes Ukraine remains America’s most strategic European partner. Rapid progress toward EU integration will be key to strengthening this partnership.

Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of KSE, concluded that Ukraine must actively work on post-war recovery plans now. Success will depend on collaboration among businesses, the government, and civil society.

Geopolitical Forecast for 2025: Global Dynamics and Ukraine’s Path Forward

An expert discussion addressed global trends likely to influence Ukraine in 2025, including geopolitical shifts in Europe, the impact of a Trump administration in the U.S., and scenarios for ending the war.

Tymofiy Brik, Rector of KSE, opened the dialogue by emphasising the role of social institutions. Drawing on the works of Nobel laureates Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson, he highlighted that while institutions are essential for progress, collaboration between businesses, civil society, and the government is crucial for leading the country toward prosperity.

Valeriy Pekar, a lecturer at kmbs and UCU Business School, offered his perspective on navigating uncertainty in 2025. His advice to businesses included preparing for worst-case scenarios, developing action plans and budgets for different outcomes, and crafting post-war strategies now, as thorough preparation for the future aids in understanding the present.

Oleksiy Sobolev, Honorary Professor of Practice at KSE and First Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, stressed the importance of long-term planning and adapting to global political and economic changes, particularly those stemming from the U.S.

Ukraine has all the prerequisites for sustainable economic growth, even amid war. However, the future requires new strategies for collaboration among businesses, the state, and education, the attraction of foreign investment, and a readiness for long-term, risk-oriented planning.

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