In the conditions of war with a neighboring aggressor, Ukraine needs a functioning economy that will provide jobs, wages, taxes, and a reliable rear for victory. Many Ukrainian companies support the country’s economy in these difficult times, develop businesses, relocate, and continue to work.
During a visit to the PORT logistics center in Lviv, Ukraine, Gabriele Haselsberger, Trade Counselor of the Austrian Embassy in Ukraine, and Dmytro Kovalchuk, founder of Altera Group development company, spoke about the work of developers during the war and prospects for investments in the economy of Ukraine.
“It is incredible to see how Ukrainian companies continue to work even in such difficult times. It is sometimes not easy for Western Europe to understand that people are actively working during the war, developing companies, and continuing their projects,” said Gabriele Haselsberger.
Currently, more than 200 Austrian companies continue to work in Ukraine, they are paying taxes, creating workplaces, and actively donating to the victims of the war. According to the Counselor, these companies will be the first to invest in and support the Ukrainian economy. But for new companies, it will not be an easy decision to invest in Ukraine.
“Of course the situation is difficult. But I would also like to mention the positive sides. Some companies from Europe, for example from Poland and Switzerland, who we work with, want to move their production to Ukraine and from there export their own products to the European Union,” says Dmytro Kovalchuk, ” We really want people in Europe to know that we are not afraid and intend to create projects on the most favorable terms for investors. I really believe it should work.”
Now in Ukraine, there is an urgent need for large storage and production areas. Companies are relocating operations to the west of the country, but the region cannot meet the demand for the necessary land, as traditionally the vast majority of large industrial plants have been concentrated in the East, where the fiercest fighting is now taking place. The situation is changing due to the construction of new areas in the West of Ukraine for the settlement of companies, such as industrial parks. New projects will create workplaces, the economy will continue to function, and people who have moved to a new region because of the war will be able to work and live normally.
“We try to promote companies and help them keep working, especially those who want to move to the West of Ukraine. Alterra Group has accelerated the pace of construction of the PORT logistics center with an area of 47,000 sqm in Lviv, in addition, we are helping to find land for the construction of new projects,” says Dmytro Kovalchuk. “In my opinion, the situation can be corrected by commercial space, which will contribute to the development of small and medium-sized businesses and attract investments in the development of the region.”
“Of course, the economy cannot exist without the private sector. We are trying to encourage the investment of funds in Ukraine by Austrian companies,” says the Counselor. “It’s not a matter of one day, but we are conducting meetings, making relevant calculations. I hope that by the time the hostilities stop, our companies will make their decisions.”
