Odesa - business location with access to global markets

The city of Odesa is one of the most important business and port locations in Ukraine. The "Port of Odessa" as the country's largest seaport, the well-developed industrial, transport, financial and educational infrastructure as well as the proximity to EU borders make the region a relevant logistics and economic center. Despite the effects of the Russian war of aggression, Odesa remains a location with high economic activity and development potential.

• Name: Odesa
• Area: 163 square kilometers (0.03 percent of Ukraine)
• Population: 1.01 million in the city of Odesa; 2.3 million in the Odesa oblast (as of 2022)
• Education: 17 universities, around 75,000 students, around 280 educational institutions
• Infrastructure: Ukraine's largest seaport ("Port of Odessa") with around 75 percent of seaborne trade volume; Zatoka Bridge as a link to Romania; international airport (under reconstruction); railroad hub; connection to international highways
• Industry: mechanical engineering (especially shipbuilding), metal processing, fuel, chemical and petrochemical industry as well as medical, light and food industry

Odesa assumes central functions in the Ukrainian economic and foreign trade system. The decisive factors are:

• leading starting point for Ukrainian foreign trade
• international and national transportation hub
• important location for the processing industry
• close connection to the region's agricultural production

Despite the persistently difficult security situation, the city is actively pursuing economic development. The combination of port infrastructure, geographical location, administrative capacities and a broad mix of industries creates a favorable environment for investment.

The proximity to Europe, the port infrastructure and the potential for skilled workers open up various fields of investment. Relevant sectors are:

• IT and digital services: more than 12,000 skilled workers in the oblast; growing digital sector supported by remote working models
• Logistics, transport and infrastructure: expansion of road and rail connections to EU countries; need for investment in terminals, logistics centers, roads and checkpoints
• Agriculture and food processing: regional value chains, organic production, niche crops; development of viticulture
• Construction industry: high demand due to reconstruction and return movements
• Renewable energies: solar, bioenergy and autonomous energy systems
• Domestic tourism and green economy: development of eco- and agrotourism; restoration of cultural and historical infrastructure

Current evaluations (from 01/25 - 03/25) show that companies in the Odesa oblast are more profitable than the Ukrainian average:

_{Source: ukrstat.gov.ua}

Since the beginning of 2025, more than 8,970 small and medium-sized enterprises have been newly founded (source: State Tax Service), which indicates an active business environment.

KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft supports investors in entering the market:

• economic analyses and market studies
• Legal and tax advice
• Access to local networks and decision-makers

Our aim is to support the economic reconstruction of Odessa and create a sound basis for investment decisions.