Ukraine's inward FDI and its policy context

With a population of more than 46 million people, Ukraine is a sizeable potential market for foreign direct investment (FDI). Domestic firms are not very competitive. Together with a favorable geographic location and low costs of labor and other inputs, Ukraine offers attractive opportunities for foreign investors. This potential, however, is not yet exploited, as indicated by relatively low cumulative inflows of FDI, due to the slow progress of transition toward a market economy, a high level of corruption, absence of effective guarantees protecting foreign investors, and political instability. In the wake of the global financial crisis and recession, the Ukrainian Government introduced policy measures that can potentially make inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) to Ukraine more complicated. Overcoming the crisis, improving the investment framework, accelerating economic reforms (including transparent privatizations) and association with the European Union (EU) would all be key factors permitting Ukraine to exploit its considerable FDI potential

Outward FDI from Ukraine and its policy context

Despite Ukraine's reputation as a poor country with a relatively modest outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) performance, Ukrainian direct investments can be found all over the world, from Europe to Australia. Unfavorable domestic economic conditions and unpredictable political practices, together with a penchant for penetrating closed foreign markets, are among the main OFDI drivers for Ukrainian companies. Ukrainian OFDI declined during the global economic and financial crisis in 200,9 but has begun to recover in 2010 and is forecast to increase thereafter

International Investment Law: Is it Time to Change the Traditional BIT System?

editorial reviewedTh is paper argues that the current international investment regime predominantly based on bila teral investment treaties (BITs) is exhausting its capacity as an effi cient tool for regulating international investment. Th e increasing number of international investment agreements (IIAs) further perpetuates and accentuates the defragmented international investment regulation. Moreover, the existing regime can hardly accommodate the needs of developed states concerned with increasing investments from former capital-importing economies (e.g., BRIC countries) and sovereign wealth funds. Based on historical experience, it remains unlikely that a new multilateral investment treaty initiative will be successful in near future. However, the international community may deepen regional cooperation and foster conclusion of regional investment treaties better designed for current challenges. It might become a provisional measure which would facilitate negotiation of a MAI remaining on the international agenda

Ultrametrics and Complete Multipartite Graphs

Let $(X, d)$ be a semimetric space and let $G$ be a graph. We say that $G$ is the diametrical graph of $(X, d)$ if $X$ is the vertex set of $G$ and the adjacency of vertices $x$ and $y$ is equivalent to the equality \diam X = d(x, y). It is shown that a semimetric space $(X, d)$ with diameter $d^*$ is ultrametric iff the diametrical graph of $(X, d_{\varepsilon})$ with $d_{\varepsilon}(x, y) = \min\{d(x, y), \varepsilon\}$ is complete multipartite for every $\varepsilon \in (0, d^*)$. A refinement of the last result is given for totally bounded ultrametric spaces. Moreover, using complete multipartite graphs we characterize the compact ultrametrizable topological spaces. The bounded ultrametric spaces, which are weakly similar to unbounded ones, are also characterized via complete multipartite graphs

Inward and Outward FDI Country Profiles, Second Edition

This second edition contains a series of 77 standardized country profiles dealing with the inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) performance of 40 economies. The profiles have been peer-reviewed by a global network of experts. The publication is intended to contribute to the analysis of trends in foreign direct investment and policy issues related to them. More specifically, the individual profiles discuss FDI trends and developments (country-level developments, the corporate players); effects of the recent global crises; and the policy scene. Each profile contains a standard set of tables, including on FDI stocks and flows, sectoral and geographical FDI distributions, the largest M&As and greenfield investments, the principal foreign affiliates (for inward FDI), and the principal multinational enterprises (for outward FDI). The standardized template used to produce the profiles allows cross-country comparisons. The volume is meant to be a reference tool for anyone interested in foreign direct investment

Ukraine’s National Policy on Aquaculture: Reality or Myth?

Aquaculture is a promising sector in Ukraine’s agricultural economy and could contribute to the nation’s food security and assist in overcoming some of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, Ukrainian government’s policy towards aquaculture has been less than supportive, in part because the government’s management of the sector has been tossed between different ministries.  Legal regulation of the sector is overcomplicated, and producers face numerous difficulties with permits, rent of waterbodies, inspections, customs, and feed importation. There are no specific approximation obligations related to aquaculture in the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. State aid to struggling aquaculture producers remains insignificant and difficult to get compared to the aid available to other agricultural businesses. This article analyzes the main policy and legal problems faced by aquaculture businesses in Ukraine and concludes with solutions that can improve the situation