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9.1.7 TMT sector news
Smartphone sales increased by 6% last year, to 6.9mn, reported the analytics firm, International Data Corporation. Sales dropped during the second quarter lockdown, then came back with a roar, increasing by 37% y/y in the last quarter of 2020. This year, IDC predicts moderate growth, with sales topping 7mn. With Ukrainian purchasing power low, the average price fell last year by $19, to $192. Partly due to a surge in sales of China’s Xiaomi, the ‘cheap’ share of Ukraine’s market grew last year from 62% to 71%.
During the pandemic year, online shopping increased by 26% and shopping mall rents softened. Despite these conditions 20 new malls are expected to open across Ukraine by the end of next year. This will add a total of 1.8mn square meters of leasable area, reported the Kyiv Post. This year, Kyiv is to see the openings of Ocean Mall with 100,000 square meters and Blockbuster Phase 3, with 55,000 square meters. Next year, if construction plans hold up, five new malls are to open in Kyiv, adding 173,000 square meters of retail space.
9.1.8 Tourism sector news
Qataris expressed an interest in buying or building hotels in Kyiv, Kherson region and Odesa, Zelenskiy said. To facilitate Qatari participation in Ukraine’s privatization campaign, Ukraine’s State Property Fund of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Qatar Investment Authority. The Authority has $345bn of assets under management in diversified markets.
65 UKRAINE Country Report May 2021 www.intellinews.com