The well-known entrepreneur predicts a difficult scenario for Kharkiv even after the victory

After the war, Kharkiv may face significant economic challenges, as many industries that were taken out of the city may not return. In addition, local universities risk losing a significant number of foreign students, which will create additional problems for the educational sector. This assessment of Kharkiv’s future was expressed by entrepreneur and volunteer Yuriy Sapronov in interview for NV.
According to him, he has serious concerns about the prospects of the city after the end of hostilities.
“Before the war, Kharkiv provided about 6.5% of the gross regional product as part of the country’s GDP. Only Dnipro and Kyiv exceeded us in this indicator. Kharkiv has always been an important trade center, and our famous Barabashovo market made a significant contribution to the economy. In addition, in powerful companies with foreign capital worked and are working in the city, as well as a developed engineering industry.” he noted.
Sapronov also emphasized that Kharkiv was one of the largest student centers in Ukraine. More than 300,000 students studied in the city, which was a significant part of the city’s population, which before the war numbered 1.5 million people. A significant part of these students were foreigners studying on a contract basis.
“Now we need to take into account the realities. Even after victory or a conditional ceasefire, foreign students are unlikely to return to Kharkiv due to the proximity to the border with Russia. This is a serious challenge for universities, which will find it difficult to survive in the new conditions. The universities that remain will need to “combine to optimize their work”, – added the entrepreneur.
In addition, Sapronov predicts that the Barabashovo market, which used to provide a significant share of the city’s economy, will no longer be the same as before. The reason is that the market was largely dependent on supplies from Russia, in particular from Moscow, Belgorod and Kursk regions, which provided 70-80% of its turnover.
Regarding direct foreign investments, Sapronov expressed a pessimistic opinion, noting that in conditions of instability it will be extremely difficult to attract investors to create new factories in Kharkiv. Many small and medium-sized businesses that previously worked in Kharkiv have already moved their production facilities to other regions of Ukraine — in particular, to Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv and other regions. According to Sapronov, it is unlikely that they will return.
As you know, on July 24, during another rocket attack by the Russians on Kharkiv, the house of Yury Sapronov himself was damaged. Fortunately, the entrepreneur and his family remained unharmed.