logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
18m 18s

Ukraine's economic rollercoaster

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The Russian invasion sparked the worst recession in the country’s recent history. Yet 2023 saw growth which is projected to continue. So how are businesses actually faring?

The economy is heavily reliant on foreign aid and there is uncertainty whether that will continue, notably from the US.

We hear from businesses and workers who give us a mixed picture of Ukraine's economic health: Chef Zhenya Mykhailenko the CEO of FVSM which runs a group of Ramen restaurants in Kyiv and a military kitchen in the Zaporizhiya region; Kees Huizinga who farms in Uman, South of Kyiv and Erica, a secondary school teacher in the war torn southern city of Kherson. Plus economic analysis from Andrew Walker.

Produced and presented by Clare Williamson

(Image: Chef Zhenya. Credit: FVSM)

Up next
Oct 9
Business Daily meets: Fani Titi, Investec CEO
The South African grew up under the racist apartheid system as one of 14 children. He looked set for a life in farming, until a chance event took him down a different path – ultimately becoming CEO of the multinational banking group, Investec. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: El ... Show More
17m 27s
Oct 8
Small country: Big tariffs
We head to Switzerland, a small but very successful country with a population of just 9 million.And now coping with some of US President Donald Trump’s highest tariffs. In August the original threat of 31% tariffs was raised to 39%. Two months on, efforts to negotiate with Washin ... Show More
17m 30s
Oct 7
Should we expect more airline delays?
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing.But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays?Presented and produced by Rus ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Six months of war in Ukraine
Soaring inflation, food insecurity and an energy crisis are some of the side effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Half-a-year after the beginning of the war, we take a look at the global fallout of the ongoing conflict. Nowhere has the economic impact been more dramaticall ... Show More
27m 44s
Oct 2022
The cost of doing business in Ukraine
With Russia escalating its attacks on Ukraine, we take a look at the cost of doing business in a warzone. Russian president Vladimir Putin said the strikes in Kyiv and elsewhere in the country are retaliation for Saturday's attack on a bridge between Crimea and Russia. We speak t ... Show More
27m 35s
Jul 2023
How to respond to rocketing grain prices?
Russia used military drones to attack Ukrainian grain warehouses on the Danube River, targeting another vital export route for Kyiv close to its border with Romania. Global grain prices have spiked as a result, exacerbated by Russia quitting the Black Sea grain deal. Ed Butler di ... Show More
50m 11s
Oct 2022
Global recession risk rises as IMF lowers growth forecast
The IMF says the risk of a global recession has increased as it lowers its growth forecast for the coming year. Its managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, said the gloomy outlook was fuelled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the continuing impact of the Covid pandemic. Hong K ... Show More
50m 46s
Jun 2024
Are we living in a K-shaped economy?
In the wake of the COVID-19 recession, many economists were describing the United States’ economic recovery as K-shaped. Basically, high-income Americans bounced back quicker than those at the lower end of the income scale. So, did we ever ditch that K shape? The person who coine ... Show More
20m 5s
Feb 2022
How to manage in an era of geopolitical uncertainty
Amid inflation, an energy crisis, volatile stock markets and increasing scrutiny of big technology firms, there is concern over how tensions between global powers such as the US and Russia might spill over into conflict. The major crisis is around Ukraine, but there are other pai ... Show More
21m 38s