12 industrial parks are currently located in Transcarpathia, according to the national register. Equipped territories with the necessary infrastructure for business development cover, according to rough estimates, over 370 hectares of the region’s territory.
Some of them are initiated by businesses, real investors – such parks are called private. Others are implemented by communities – these are the so-called communal ones.
Why are parks opening in the mainstream, will Transcarpathia withstand such a number, what advantages and disadvantages are already noticeable – we explain in this material.
Relocation stimulates demand for industrial territories
The creation of parks is at the peak of its popularity, so it is not surprising that relevant companies that develop concepts and support processes work in Ukraine. The largest of these is the group of companies “Industrial Parks of Ukraine”. According to its CEO Valeria Kyrylka, they have 52 concepts in their portfolio, 34 registered objects. Of the 12 industrial parks in Transcarpathia, they have supported or are still supporting 6. Documents are being prepared for 2 more new ones. Valery explains that the number of parks currently in Ukraine and the continuous registration of new ones is due to demand and preferences from the state, provided since 2022:
— If we divide into two categories of interested participants, then the first will be the initiator and the management company, and the second – other participants located on the territory. For the first group, up to 150 million hryvnias of non-refundable assistance is provided on a 50:50 basis, and only for the construction of engineering and transport infrastructure: electricity, gas, water, water treatment plants, roads, railway branches. The state also compensates 50% for electricity connection. Now the next amendments to the Law are being prepared and there will be an opportunity to use the “5-7-9” credit for all participants. In addition, there are customs and tax preferences, which they also want to expand a little.
It is interesting that it was the relocated enterprises that stimulated the development of industrial areas. A classic example is in Transcarpathia — “BF Terminal”. The owners have a factory in Korosten and decided to develop in Transcarpathia as well. In fact, they created a park for themselves, – explains Valeriy and adds that in general 70% of parks are registered under someone. Like, why not build when there is demand, opportunity, investor? It’s another thing when a community wants to create a reason for PR, and then doesn’t know what to do with it. Therefore, the specialist recommends first finding an investor, because registration simply makes no sense.
An industrial park is created on a territory of 10 hectares and for a period of at least 30 years. If no economic activity has been carried out and there are no participants or other entities involved, it is excluded from the register. In this case, you can continue working, but without receiving benefits or incentives from the state.
Where are the industrial parks of Transcarpathia located and what do they specialize in
According to the directory “Industrial Transcarpathia”, which we were introduced to in the Transcarpathian OVA, the following parks are currently registered in the region: “Solomonovo”, “Maramureş”, “Uzhgorod”, “Western Industrial”, “Friendly Wind Technologies”, “BF Terminal”, “Tyachiv”, “Energy Group”, “Eco Mukachevo”, “Muzhai”, “Solva Tech”, “Karpaty”. In this list, they are listed in the order of creation. Below, we characterize each according to the aforementioned directory “Industrial Transcarpathia”, concepts and with the help of specialists.
In the village of Solomonovo there is a industrial park of the same name, which was registered in June 2014. It specializes in automotive production, namely the placement of medium and precision engineering industries (automotive, instrument-making, electrical engineering, industry). The actual number of employees is over 300 people. According to Taras Tryndyak, this industrial park has not been fully implemented, because the ideology is based on the fact that the Eurocar plant is the center and only the production of cars is fully functioning. The territory around this industrial park was subject to the development of other industries that would be related to the automotive profile. That is, an automotive cluster could be created, – the head of the department notes.
The industrial park “Maramureş” is located in the village of Bila Tserkva. Its profile is the placement of industrial enterprises in the woodworking, furniture, machine-building industries, etc. It was never launched, although there were ambitious plans for investors from Romania. The example of this park shows the risks for such industrial zones. The Ministry of Economy wanted to cancel the status “Maramureş”, but in the Transcarpathian OVA they defended, were able to protect the object and extend the time to find investors.
The park “Uzhgorod” specializes in placing industrial enterprises producing building materials and other industries. Of the 500 employees declared in the concept, there are more than 140 here. According to the director of the OVA department, the park was created on the basis of an old enterprise. Now participants have appeared there, but have not registered, so there are currently no preferences.
In Bushtyna, “Western Industrial” was created. Its profile is the placement of industrial enterprises for the production and processing of wood, the production of building materials and the production of prefabricated modular houses. It is not yet operational, the declared number of employees is 1,100.
Industrial Park “Friendly Wind Technology” stands out as an active entity among all registered ones. The only one in Ukraine specializes in the production of equipment for renewable energy. It employs about 1,500 people. This year, production is 30 wind turbines, next year they plan to reach 100 wind turbines, respectively, increasing the number of employees to 2 thousand. According to the deputy director for public relations of LLC UK “Wind Parks” of Ukraine Olga Poshtak, a system of training employees has been established, they are provided with housing in Perechyn, and competitive pay is offered. In 2024, more than 100 million hryvnias in taxes were sent to the local budget.
According to industrial indicators, Friendly Wind Technologies holds a leading position in the region and is the only one among the registered ones that is working at full capacity. Wind turbines are installed in the highlands, currently in the Runi valley, and in the plans – in other mountainous areas. The public and environmental activists have protested against this, emphasizing the lack of permits and the environmental consequences, but despite everything, the construction continues, and a lawsuit has been filed against journalists. target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>claims.
Another large-scale industrial park is located on the border of the settlements of Batyovo and Batrad — “BF Terminal”. It is announced that a transshipment complex will be created here, which will include the production (processing) of forestry products, wood processing, production of MDF boards, CLT boards, laminate, parquet, logistics operations, etc. This park received state funding within the framework of the “Made in Ukraine” policy. Taras Tryndyak notes that “BF Terminal” is planned as one of the largest woodworking plants in Eastern Europe worth several hundred million euros.
The industrial park “Tyachiv” will specialize in the production of glass and glass products, woodworking, decorative and building stone, and the processing of industrial and household waste. The declared number of employees is up to 3,100 people. Construction is currently underway. According to the director of the economic department, at the beginning of its creation, there was already a declaration of certain memorandums signed with investors, but the park has not yet started operating. The concept provides for several plants: sheet glass, quartz sand mining and processing plant, glass spraying plant, glass processing plant (triplex and tempering), automotive glass plant, and double-glazed window production.
An industrial park “Energzhi Grup” has been registered in Svalyava. It is located on the territory of a former lumber mill. The production of glass and glass products, as well as building metal structures and parts, metal windows, doors, etc. is being established here. This year, they plan to launch the first resident – a window structure plant, – says Valeriy Kyrylko. The management company is “Industrial Parks of Ukraine”. An alternative energy plant will also be launched here. The processes will be maximally mechanized. According to the concept, it should be an eco-industrial park.
Environmental friendliness was also emphasized in “Eco Mukachevo”, which is located on the territory of a former furniture factory. Investors are currently being sought for it. Its specialization is the placement of industrial enterprises for the production of paper and paper products, the manufacture of printing products, the production of textiles and electronic equipment.
An industrial park “Muzhai” with a planned number of employees of 427 has been registered in Muzhievo. It is planned to produce food products, process wood and manufacture wood and cork products, except for furniture; manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products; manufacture of finished metal products. This park has also not yet been commissioned.
Similar in terms of specificity is “Solva-tech” in Svalyava. The concept plans to employ up to 400 employees. The purpose is quite broad: wood processing and production from wood and cork; furniture production; production of basic organic chemicals, production of construction metal and their parts; alternative energy; scientific and technical activities; alternative energy, energy storage; other industries compatible with the above and other purposes (depending on the relevance of placing a specific production in the community); warehousing as an auxiliary activity (other participants). So far, this park has not been commissioned.
The last one registered until June 2025 is the industrial park “Karpaty” in the village of Chynadiyovo. Its initiator is the Chynadiyovo Village Council of the Mukachevo District of the Transcarpathian Region. The facility is being developed on an area of approximately 26 hectares. They plan to create 1,300 jobs. A wide range of specializations has been chosen: work with wood, paper, cardboard, furniture, production and processing of food products, production of construction and heat-insulating materials, scientific and technical activities, etc.
The first challenge is human resources
An important issue is the lack of specialists to work at factories that Transcarpathians have never heard of before. Therefore, new specialties are being introduced in educational institutions to train the necessary personnel. For example, a training center for electric and gas welders has already been built in Svaliava. They are trained to work with modern technological equipment.
CEO of the Industrial Parks of Ukraine Group of Companies Valeriy Kyrylko also calls insufficient human resources one of the key challenges for industrial parks. At the same time, he reminds of the law according to which people working in industrial parks are reserved. In his opinion, solving the personnel problem should be approached comprehensively at the regional and local levels – to develop programs to provide people with housing and other benefits.
The second challenge is logistics
Although the construction of parks should take into account the logistical features of the territory, and Transcarpathia supposedly has a good geographical location, there may be a problem with transporting products abroad. The head of the department of economic and regional development explains that when large industrial parks operate, the cargo turnover of road transport will require greater throughput capacity at points. Raw materials can be transported by rail, and the scheme for selling finished products is designed so that machine delivery is the most optimal. Loading wagons and then unloading at a receiving warehouse in Europe is not a good option for investors with whom OVA is currently communicating.
The third challengeis existential
It would seem that what is wrong with people wanting to create jobs and develop the region? And the relocated enterprises got a chance to survive. But what will such a powerful industrialization of Transcarpathia lead to? What are the consequences of the parks’ activities for the environment?
As is known, the area of the park must be no less than 10 hectares, and also, according to the conditions, it must be located within the boundaries of one settlement. In addition, given the specifics, the question of resources and production waste arises. Taras Tryndyak assures that the relevant authorities are keeping this topic under control:
— As the authorities, we have declared the issue of not only industrial parks, but also relocation. And we already have a changed economy in the region. Therefore, we want the production facilities located here to have the most modern technologies, to have a minimum of waste, to belong to the circular economy. But there is always a situation where you have to sacrifice something. This means that we have to select some certain territories that we can sacrifice, because it gives us economic benefits. As for other territories, we must say in principle: we leave them only for tourism.
The Law will soon fix the concept of “eco-industrial parks”, that is, sites where business, in particular, will use alternative energy sources in industry. To ensure that the park does not harm the environment, the local community must also monitor its activities, the investor must take care of environmental friendliness, and the relevant structures must be inspected, emphasizes the CEO of the Industrial Parks of Ukraine Group, Valeriy Kyrylko.
However, environmentalists are not so optimistic. Bogdan Kuchenko, an ecologist and ecosystem conservation specialist at the Ecodia NGO, emphasizes that among all regions of Ukraine, Transcarpathia has the largest share of natural landscapes, including territories of the nature reserve fund. Therefore, the active construction of industrial parks raises serious concerns:
— If we look closely at all the projects for the construction of industrial parks in Transcarpathia, and also take into account the recent statement of the head of the energy committee of the Parliament regarding the formation of a new industrial region, then the conclusion suggests itself that the authorities have made a bet on the total exploitation of the natural resources of Transcarpathia.
In such circumstances, the ecologist advises initiating the granting of official nature conservation status to all valuable natural areas that have still been preserved, often thanks to a lucky coincidence. It is very important to do this for the areas of the Emerald Network, which are of great importance for the preservation of rare species and their habitats throughout Europe.
The legislation provides for a procedure for assessing the environmental impact of individual projects, as well as a strategic environmental assessment of state planning documents, within the framework of which the impact is assessed more comprehensively. The main body responsible for supervising compliance with environmental legislation in Ukraine is the State Environmental Inspectorate. However, during a full-scale war, its work is practically paralyzed, and any unscheduled inspection is possible only after a separate permit from the Ministry of Environment.
Large-scale industrialization of Transcarpathia could be called a chance for development, but individual cases still deter such assessments. Only one park has fully operated, and the precedent is that all 12. It is obvious that relocated and local business needs new territories, opportunities, support, but it, for its part, must be socially responsible, designed taking into account the principles of sustainable development, care for the environment and the future, not just the present, as well as work on strategic communications and conduct not a formal, but a real dialogue with the community.
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