Among the member companies of the European Business Association (EBA), 75% are operating at full capacity, and the great majority of entities are not planning to wind down operations even amid ongoing hostilities.
The relevant statement was made by the EBA’s press service, referring to a regular survey, Business During War, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“At the beginning of 2025, three-quarters of companies (75%) are operating at full capacity, while 24% operate with restrictions, and 1% have ceased operations entirely,” the report states.
Six months ago, 64% of companies operated at full capacity, while 36% faced restrictions.
Currently, 77% of the EBA’s member companies are planning to continue operating in Ukraine, regardless of whether hostilities end this year. Another 19% remain uncertain, while only 4% suggest they may reconsider their presence in the Ukrainian market if the war persists.
According to the EBA’s survey, the most common operational constraints remain a shortage of qualified workers/mobilization (75%), geographical activity limitations (55%), and work stoppages during air raid alerts (41%).
In the past six months, the number of executives with a positive outlook on their business conditions has risen from 27% to 40%. Meanwhile, 46% rate their business situation as satisfactory, and 14% as negative.
As noted by the EBA, compared to previous survey results, business dynamics forecasts for the next six months have become more optimistic. Now, 29% of respondents expect business conditions to deteriorate in 2025 (a significant drop from 56% in the previous survey). The number of those who expect their business situation to improve has doubled in the past six months, from 16% to 32%. At the same time, 39% do not anticipate significant changes.
Meanwhile, businesses are strengthening their financial reserves. In contrast to to mid-2024, the number of companies with financial reserves for a year or more has increased to 72% (previously 53%). At the same time, 22% have reserves for six months, 5% for a few months, and only 1% have no reserves at all.
Following the survey, war-related losses remain significant. As of early 2025, 25% of surveyed companies report losses of up to USD 1 million, while 24% indicate losses between USD 1–10 million, and 16% have losses exceeding USD 10 million. Only 11% of surveyed companies report no losses, while 24% find it difficult to assess them.
Businesses currently require the most support in the following areas: improved procedures for employee exemptions from military service; easing of foreign exchange restrictions; a moratorium on inspections; coverage of war-related risks.
A reminder that, in January 2025, businesses maintained their performance expectations at last year’s level due to seasonal factors, a challenging security situation, and a rise in production costs.
2025-02-25 00:14:00 ,
