By the end of the second year of the war, 85% of the enterprises that remained active are operating fully, and 14% partially. For comparison, by the end of the first year of the war, these figures were 57% and 37%, respectively.
The Ukrainian business community has demonstrated high adaptability to the challenges of war. The positive growth trend, which began to be observed at the end of the first year of the war, continues to strengthen, although the situation remains fragile due to strategic uncertainty. The continuation of the war hinders business development and poses new challenges. Companies that were unable to resume operations in 2022 have closed.
In conditions of internal instability, enterprises are reorienting towards more predictable foreign markets. There is a growing demand for consulting on establishing export activities, entering foreign trading platforms, international certification, and opening businesses abroad.
Among the non-financial needs, respondents mentioned facilitating the establishment of export activities and support programs for exporters. Among the requests for expanding markets:
- Support in the certification procedure in the EU.
- Assistance in finding customers, action algorithms.
- Promotion of Ukrainian business in foreign markets.
- Expansion/protection of logistics routes for export/unblocking borders; logistics in Europe.
- Collaboration with foreign businesses, networking/support for participation in exhibitions and communication events.
- Analysis of the European market.
- Training on establishing sales on international trading platforms, such as Amazon and eBay.
- Consultation on opening branches in the EU.
The survey "Challenges and Needs of SMEs after Two Years of Full-Scale War"(pdf)↗️ was conducted from March to April 2024.
