Tuesday 25 August 2020

Ukraine’s President promotes investment in agriculture

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky released a one-minute promotion video calling the country a land of opportunity in tourism, information technology, and agriculture.

Ukraine’s potential has been talked about ever since it gained independence in 1991 but has consistently failed to live up to expectations.

Foreign investors cite Ukraine’s non-independent judicial system and corruption as the main barriers to investment, something generally confirmed by anyone who has done business in Ukraine.

Zelensky praised recent reforms to land ownership, supposedly lifting the long-standing moratorium on the sale of agricultural land, but will only apply to Ukrainian citizens and companies. 

I suspect foreign companies will be looking for further liberalization on land ownership before a video tempts them in.