1. From 2009-2021, the export of Ukrainian furniture (product group 94) grew by an average of 13.5% annually from 0.2 billion USD to a record high of 1.1 billion USD in 2021. For 2022, we managed to keep exports at the level of 0.8 billion US dollars, of which 91.1% went to EU countries. During the 11 months of 2023, exports amounted to USD 0.73 billion. The specific weight of furniture exports in the total volume of exports of goods from Ukraine during this period was 2.2%. For 2023, the structure of exports by partner countries has changed. Thus, compared to the same period in 2022, the share of exports to Poland decreased from 35.1% (US$264.6 million) to 29.5% (US$215.2 million). at the same time, the volume of exports to Germany increased significantly by 17% from 129.3 million US dollars to 151.3 with corresponding changes in the specific weight from 17.2% to 20.7%.
2. On December 14, the first UKRAINIAN CONSTRUCTION CONGRESS was held in Kyiv, during which the participants expressed their opinions, visions and discussed the Formula for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. The event became a platform for constructive dialogue, exchange of ideas between authorities, developers, architects, builders, manufacturers of building materials, the public sector and other industry participants.
3. JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” intends to launch a new service related to intermodal transportation in international traffic — collective trains from Poland to Ukraine and vice versa. The peculiarity of the new service will be that the subsidiary company “UZ” will be able to pick up cargo from the main ports of Poland and deliver them by road transport to its own terminals and store them for 7-10 days for further shipment to the terminals of the branch “Lisky Transport Service Center” — Kyiv, Odesa , Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sknyliv.
4. The agreement on free trade between Ukraine and Turkey, which is planned to be ratified at the beginning of next year, will simplify the issue of logistics and promote the development of Ukrainian business in wartime conditions. After the ratification of the agreement, wide opportunities will open for duty-free or partially duty-free trade between the countries.
5. Ukrainian startup “A-Gnostics” has developed “Shazam for industry”, a product based on artificial intelligence that analyzes the sound of equipment operation and proactively warns about malfunctions, thanks to which the cost of its operation, repair, and therefore downtime is reduced.
6. INGO insurance company expands protection against war risks for Ukrainian businesses, now offering property insurance for medium and small businesses. Entrepreneurs will be able to receive compensation for losses if their insured objects are damaged as a result of air attacks or sabotage actions of the enemy on Ukrainian territory located no closer than 100 km from the contact line.
7. The Ministry of Economy proposes to cancel 74% of all state sanitary rules and regulations as part of the deregulation reform. This is due to the fact that “in some places sanpins are outdated, and the market and technologies have advanced significantly. In this way, entrepreneurs conduct business in a non-optimal way.”
8. At the beginning of December, the “Grand” Furniture Center opened in the capital’s Obolon, which for the first time in Ukraine offered four furniture concepts on one site. The “Grade” brand presented here an updated collection of exhibition samples – from complete kitchens to modular systems. The kitchen design area was conveniently located in the center of the hall.
9. Finally, that December day, which was eagerly awaited by all “hunters” for fashion and design trends, has arrived. Pantone, the global authority on color and digital solutions for designers, has unveiled the color of next year. This time, the experts’ choice is PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz – a velvety, delicate peach. According to experts, it should have a calming effect on the mind, body and soul.
10. The innovative Norwegian technological company “Kebony”, specializing in ecological wood production, offered a material that, thanks to a unique processing technology, combines the qualities of hardwood and coniferous wood. It is characterized by a stylish appearance and resistance to weather influences. It is suitable both for the floor and for the production of outdoor furniture.