BEST&BRIGHTEST: What new opportunities do you see for business development in Ukraine? How can Ukrainians compete in the global market?

 

Is Ukraine ready for a global crisis? What is its place in the global division of labor? Why is it so important to develop the domestic market? Andrey Stavnitser, co-owner and CEO of TIS and MV Cargo, answers these and other questions.

 

FROM THE EXPORT OF RAW MATERIALS TO THE EXPORT OF IDEAS

 

The distribution of roles in the global economy leaves Ukraine little chance for a breakthrough. The United States is the center of innovation, China is the production place, and dozens of smaller states have established themselves in narrow niches. It’s hard to put competitive pressure on them.

But the rejection of competition at the level of ideas and goods, acceptance of the role of an exporter of grain and ore doom Ukraine to stagnation and regular crises caused by price fluctuations in the commodity markets.

 

GLOBAL CRISIS IS A CHANCE FOR UKRAINE

 

It will sound harsh, but global problems give Ukrainian business opportunities for development. The pandemic has shown the vulnerability of the supply chain tied to the ports of southern China. Even if lockdowns are not repeated, the situation is unlikely to become stable.

For the second time in a row, the US president declares confrontation with China as the goal of his foreign policy. The trade war has actually begun, and China is making incredible efforts to develop the domestic market in order to reduce dependence on export earnings.

 

TREND TO SEPARATE

 

While globalization remains a great concept, in the near future we will see a trend towards segregation. It should encourage us to build Ukrainian production facilities focused on our own consumers, the closest neighbors from the EU and the Black Sea states, with which we are connected by an excellent transport infrastructure.

Yes, we cannot accurately predict the next global crisis. However, there is no doubt that it will definitely happen and, like all the previous ones, will bring down the demand for raw materials. That’s why lately I’ve been talking about adding value even at the family table.

 

INTERNAL MANUFACTURER ENSURES SAFETY

 

Before the pandemic, I considered it a key factor in global competition, now the creation of high-margin products seems to me a condition for survival. Present your 2020-2021 revenue, whether you are a local manufacturer of masks, oxygen concentrators, televisions, leisure products. Unfortunately, you already know perfectly well what it means to be a resident of a country where essential goods are not produced.