About Ukraine

• Ukraine is the second largest country in European terms of population; Ukraine ranks fifth in Europe (after Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France) and twenty-first in the world.
• Ukraine has the largest consumer market in Eastern Europe
• Ukraine is an ideal platform for manufacturing and export in Russia and EU
• Ukraine has the 2nd after Byelorussia transportation ability index on the European continent
• Creation of big transparent monocrystals of synthetic diamonds with minimal defects, colouring and optical properties of witch can be controlled
• AT Kearney has put Ukraine on the 4-th place for its investment attractiveness in the retail business
• 56% of Ukraine`s land is arable and 1/3 of the world`s “black soil” is found in Ukraine
• Antonov factory which is located in Ukraine, manufactures the biggest planes in the world AN- 225 “Ruslan” and “Mrya”

Background

Official name of country - Ukraine (Ukrayina)
Capital - Kiev/Kyiv
Other major cities - Kharkov, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Lviv, Odessa
Area - 603,700 km2
Currency/SWIFT code - Ukrainian hryvna/UAH
Population - 47 million
Official languages - Ukrainian
International dialling code + 380
Sectoral contribution as % of GDP
Agriculture — 18.5%
Industry — 44.7%
Services — 36.8%
Biggest export market(s) - Russia, Germany,
Turkey, Italy, USA
Biggest import source(s) - Russia, China, Germany, Turkmenistan
International memberships - Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),
Council of Europe, member of the WTO

Government structure

Ukraine became an independent state on August 24, 1991 following the dissolution of the USSR. Under the constitution, the powers of the government are divided into three branches – the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Ukraine is a parliament- residentially republic.

Geography

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and covers 603, 700 square kilometres, making it the largest country in Europe. The Dnipro River with its many tributaries unifies central Ukraine economically, connecting the Baltic coast countries with Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The mouth of the Danube River provides an outlet for Ukrainian trade with the Balkans, Austria, and Germany.

Population

The population of Ukraine is 47 million people. In terms of population, Ukraine ranks fifth in Europe (after Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France) and twenty-first in the world. The Ukrainian population is 68 percent urban. Ukrainians account for 73 percent of the total population of Ukraine.

Language

Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine; however, in Crimea and some regions of Eastern Ukraine, the majority of the population speaks Russian.

Culture

The Culture of Ukraine is a result of influence over millennia from the West and East, with an assortment of strong culturally-identified ethnic groups. Like most Western countries, Ukrainian customs are heavily influenced by Christianity. Russian and other Eastern European cultures also have had a more or less significant impact on the Ukrainian culture.

Religion

The dominant religion in Ukraine is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which is currently split between three Church bodies: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autonomous church body under the Patriarch of Moscow, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Education

According to the Ukrainian constitution, access to free education is granted to all citizens. Complete general secondary education is compulsory in the state schools which constitute the overwhelming majority. Free higher education in state and communal educational establishments is provided on a competitive basis. There is also a small number of accredited private secondary and higher education institutions.

Visa control

Entrance of foreign citizens to Ukraine is possible with entrance visa., however Citizens of EU countries, USA, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Vatican, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Mongolia, Lithuania and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Turkmenistan) can visit Ukraine for up to 90 days without a visa once in 180 days. This means that citizens of the above mentioned countries can enter Ukraine for a maximum of 90 days without a visa but can return only after 180 days after their first arrival.

Foreigners are also no longer required to register at the local OVIR (Department of Visas and Registration) within three days after arriving to Ukraine. You only need to register your passports if you are in the country for more than three months (six months for U.S. citizens).

Payments and cash

The Hryvna (international abbreviation for Hryvna - UAH) is the official currency of Ukraine. All shops and establishments accept cash payments in Hryvna. Many stores now accept internationally recognized credit cards. A large number of currency exchange offices are evenly located along the streets.

Cash in US Dollars can be withdrawn in several Ukrainian banks which accept Visa and MasterCard. Hryvnas may be withdrawn from ATMs which are placed both in shops and streets.

Time

Ukrainian time is two hours later than Greenwich Mean Time. Ukraine covers one time zone. Time differences between Kyiv and some major cities are shown in the following table.

Public Holidays

Period from 20 December till 15 January is traditionally festive and it is recommended not to arrange any negotiations or launching projects. In Ukraine this period is called "dead season". The same period is the first half of May, when the number of holidays has been starting. And it is usual thing when companies give 2 weeks vacation for their staff for this period. That is why it is recommended to take into account it your business schedules these two periods:
20 December – 15 January, 1 – 10 May