Ukraine's GDP may fall 35% to 50% in 2022 - Ukrainian Finance Ministry

KYIV. April 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine's GDP may fall 35% to 50% this year, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said.

"The economy may fall 35% to 50% this year. The National Bank said [the GDP will fall] 41% [in 2022]," he said in an interview with the Orestokratia project.

Judging by the video, the talk took place on April 12.

"That is, the figures are about the same," Marchenko said.

Speaking about the Finance Ministry's expectations to draw funds using military bonds, Marchenko said the ministry is operating based on the results of auctions held in March. "In March, we drew [using military bonds] an equivalent of $1 billion or some 35 billion hryvni," the minister said.

Auctions involve mainly state banks, and therefore it is important for the ministry to broaden its list of clients. "That is, banks are now buying bonds with their own resources, and it is desirable for us that banks form their bids at initial auctions at their clients' requests. Therefore, we are calling on businesses and citizens to join that," Marchenko said, adding that the annual rate of return of securities is some 11%.