Ukrainian business has shown so much adaptability that the GDP drop until the end of the year will make 32%, and not 50%, as predicted after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko has declared.
“By the results of 2022, we have much more optimistic forecasts of economic decline than it was expected at the end of February – no more than 32%. Ukrainian business has shown considerable flexibility and endurance, and our task as the government was to support it with loans and grant programs for starting a business, as well as to support the unemployed. Next year, the Ministry of Economy forecasts GDP growth at 3.2%, because we are confident that it will be a year of victory,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The First Deputy Prime Minister stressed that growth of the Ukrainian economy also depended on the level of employment and, accordingly, the budget revenues. Taking into account the factor of war, destruction of enterprises, departure of some able-bodied Ukrainians abroad, Ukraine still manages to generate 50% of budget revenues internally. The other 50% is the assistance of international partners.
Today, there are many Ukrainians who have adapted to the realities of war, learn new professions, open businesses and create new jobs. Also, according to polls, many Ukrainians who left abroad due to the hostilities planned to return and join the restoration of the country.
“What is our task for the unemployed? First of all, to retrain them. In employment centers, 45,000 people have already mastered new professions. The second is the “Army of Recovery” – people who are employed by employment centers in the regions doing public works and receiving wages for this. The third aspect is people who have entrepreneurial skills and want to start a business even during the war. The Government helps them with grant support,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Thus, over UAH 837.5 million has already been allocated within the eRobota program to 1,119 successful applicants under all program components in total. Overall, the Government has allocated UAH 2.2 billion and the remaining funds will soon be distributed among winners under all program components, with over 3,500 of such applicants in Ukraine. (Government portal/Business World Magazine)