In 2014, Ukraine faced the toughest challenges in the XXI century including economic crisis, military conflict in the East, and annexation of Crimea by Russia. Drop in domestic demand and weak external demand resulted in contraction of real GDP by 6.8%. High economic and political uncertainty resulted in sharp increase in demand for foreign currency. This along with decline in exports lead to sharp hryvnia depreciation.
The instability in the Ukraine’s economy increased. Low international reserves do not allow the NBU to effectively intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market, which suffers from low FX supply against the background of exports decline, panic and speculations. As a result, hryvnia exchange rate sharply depreciated putting additional pressure on budget due to large share of FX debt. To secure the economic development the Government faces the necessity to implement immediate steps aimed primarily at the fiscal consolidation measures. Otherwise, it might lose a chance to ensure stabilization of Ukraine’s economy and to spark recovery in 2016.
Military conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (Donbas) is assumed to continue at least until the end of 2016. As a result, economic activity in the region will be depressed over the two years, while infrastructure will be restored only partially in the end of 2016. Many companies will remain closed and supply links will remain disrupted limiting potential for recovery. Trade with Russia is expected to fall further. Very limited financing options contribute to lower investments in 2015 and allow for only small increase in 2016, when political and economic uncertainty will somewhat reduce.
According to the IER estimate real GDP drop is likely to decelerate to near 4% in 2015 from around 7% in 2014. Real private final consumption will continue declining in 2015, while real gross capital accumulation will be close to 2014 level. External demand will remain weak, while demand from Russia is expected to decline further.
Real GDP in 2014 is likely to decline by near 7%. We expect that the Government will be able to serve its external and domestic debt in time and in full over next months.