Ukraine continues to streamline its public sector by reducing the number of assets it owns. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the state is ready to consider selling Sense Bank and a stake in Ukrnafta. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at keeping only strategically important enterprises in state ownership.
There are currently seven state-owned banks operating in Ukraine, which together control over 50% of the banking market. This significantly exceeds the recommended international norm of 25%. The list includes banks such as:
- PrivatBank,
- Sberbank,
- Ukreximbank,
- Ukrgasbank,
- Sense Bank,
- PIN bank,
- Motorbank.
However, a significant reduction of this list is planned. As Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal previously noted, the state is not going to privatize Oschadbank and Ukreximbank. Negotiations are already underway with other banks, in particular Sense Bank, and foreign investors are among the potential buyers.
Ukrgasbank is also attracting the attention of international players. Even before the war, an agreement was reached on the entry of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) into its capital with a 25% stake.
The modernization of Ukrnafta is one of the key areas of reform of Ukraine's energy sector. According to Svyrydenko, the private sector is more capable of restoring loss-making companies. Therefore, the sale of part of this asset looks like a logical step to attract investment and modernize the industry.
In addition to banks and energy, the government is considering the possibility of public-private partnerships in the field of port infrastructure. In particular, one of the Black Sea ports may be transferred to concession. As Svyrydenko noted, both Ukrainian and international investors have already expressed interest in this.
