Ukraine real GDP slows to 1.8% growth in 4Q17

Ukraine’s 4Q17 GDP grew 1.8% yoy, or 0.4% qoq seasonally
adjusted, after 2.1% yoy growth in 3Q17, according to a provisionary estimate
by the State Statistics Service released on Feb. 14. The provisional figures
mean that Ukraine’s GDP grew 2.1% yoy in 2017. The National Bank’s estimate
published on Feb. 2 was 1.5% yoy GDP growth in 4Q18 and 2.1% growth for 2018.
The final 4Q statistics will be published on March 21.

Evgeniya Akhtyrko: Given weak
industry and dropping agricultural output in late 2017, the slowdown in 4Q17
real GDP was widely expected. But the provisional state statistics data for the
quarter is a bit better than our estimate of 2.0% yoy for 2017 GDP growth. We
retain our view that real GDP will accelerate to 3.3% yoy in 2018.