Ukraine GDP growing 4.5% as $589bn reconstruction theme opens up - TMX VettaFi

Jane Edmondson, head of index product strategy at TMX VettaFi, tells Proactive Investors that Ukraine's GDP - after collapsing 30% in 2022 - is forecast to grow 4.5% this year, and that 90% of companies in the country are now fully operational. She argues that reconstruction is already under way and that investors do not need to wait for a peace deal to begin gaining exposure. Edmondson cites the Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, published jointly by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank, the EU Commission and the United Nations, which put the cost of reconstruction and recovery at approximately $589 billion (around €510 billion) - roughly three times Ukraine's nominal GDP. The largest individual needs are in transportation, energy and housing, each requiring around $90 billion, while Citi estimates foreign direct investment could contribute $87 billion to $145 billion, covering 15 to 25% of total funding needs. She explains how the underlying index for the Defiance U...