1. A bill has been introduced to the Verkhovna Rada aimed at reinstating customs inspections, which were placed under a moratorium last year. This will once again complicate doing business because now that there are fewer shelling and power outages and businesses have had a chance to catch their breath, the deputies have decided to do it a disservice.

2. The National Bank, in order to reduce the risks of fraud, has mandated payment service providers to implement enhanced user authentication. The payment service provider must create a unique authentication code that allows linking an operation to a specific amount and recipient.

3. The USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine (USAID CEP) has announced a $1.5 million support project for Ukrainian export-oriented enterprises. The support will involve participation in trade missions and leading international exhibitions. The application process will take place in two stages: until June 30 and until September 30 of this year.

4. The new Space system is the most versatile in the “ADS” company’s lineup. It is designed for room zoning and can also be used as room dividers, and wardrobe doors, and can be installed in cabinet openings as needed. By mounting it in the upper rail, damage to the floor covering is minimized, and the system achieves a light effect.

5. Deliveries of Ukrainian-manufactured tile products to the Polish market are increasing because Polish furniture and construction companies have been forced to purchase tile materials from European manufacturers at significantly higher prices due to sanctions on Russia and Belarus. If in 2020, Ukrainian wood-based panels worth 22.5 million euros were sold to Poland, it was 50.6 million euros last year.

6. For some reason, the Swedish company “IKEA” has chosen France as the market to test its innovations in customer service in order to make its products even more accessible and comfortable for customers. Therefore, in the next three years, it intends to invest over a billion euros in creating a unique multi-channel network “IKEA” in France.

7. European furniture manufacturers finished the first quarter of the year with anxious anticipation that the entire year would be equally unstable due to endless challenges and problems with raw material procurement, rising energy prices, stable high inflation, and declining consumer demand.

8. In recent years, the concept of the office has undergone significant changes, which should be noted by manufacturers of the corresponding furniture. More and more companies are moving away from the traditional open-space concept and focusing on providing comfortable zones for various tasks (focused work, work in smaller groups, and business meetings).

9. Built-in furniture that blends seamlessly into the interior, indistinguishable from wall panels, is a trend demonstrated at this year’s “iSalone” exhibition. This allows for the creation of the entire interior from modular units and solves storage issues without visible cabinets, thereby maximizing the available space in the room.

10. The Japandi interior style is gaining popularity in Europe, combining Scandinavian cosiness with Japanese Zen philosophy. In interiors, it pleases the eye with simplicity dressed in natural materials, organic structures, and earthy colours, creating an atmosphere conducive to calmness and connection with nature.