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Despite significant obstacles , the new data uncovers a positive story that Ukrainian businesses are returning home and showing great independence as they battle disruption on every front . The survey also shows that businesses are shifting from survival mode to pursuing growth and looking to hire more staff .

Payoneer surveyed more than 2,300 Ukrainian SMBs during March of this year in various industries , including IT , manufacturing , education , agriculture and others , to gain insight into their state and outlook after a year of full-scale war . The new research indicates that Ukrainian SMBs continue to show remarkable resilience and are shifting from survival mode to seeking growth .

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWS THAT BUSINESSES ARE SHIFTING FROM SURVIVAL MODE TO PURSUING GROWTH AND LOOKING TO HIRE MORE STAFF .

A year on , there ’ s no doubt that the war has caused unprecedented challenges for Ukrainian businesses , but key findings reveal how these SMBs are persevering in the face of adversity :

• 69 % of businesses now have all staff based in Ukraine

• 30 % of businesses , despite the war , are looking to grow their business in 2023

• 36 % are looking to hire more staff this year

• 44 % of businesses believe they have enough of their own resources to pursue their business goals

• 81 % have not turned to international or state programmes for support

Resilience and returning jobs to Ukraine

The initial phase of the war in Ukraine had a significant and devastating impact on the country ’ s economy . According to the National Council for the Recovery of Ukraine from the War , almost half of its businesses stopped , or almost stopped , their operations , and total direct losses to SMBs were US $ 83 billion . About 10 million Ukrainians , around 25 % of the population , left their homes .

A year later , though , results of the Payoneer survey show SMBs have adapted to their new reality and entered a more stable rhythm as Ukrainian business is gradually returning home . Sixty-nine percent of the entrepreneurs have all their staff in Ukraine and 25 % have only part of their staff abroad . Furthermore , 44 % of those surveyed believe they can achieve their goals without external government support , highlighting the unwavering resourcefulness of Ukrainian businesses . Despite the stress that war has placed on businesses ’ finances , Ukrainian businesses are employing their resources not only to survive , but to grow .

SMBs can now plan for the future

Unlike at the beginning of the war , when many businesses could not plan their activities for more than two or three weeks ahead of time , they can now plan work a year in advance as 56 % of those surveyed plan to maintain their current positions in the market this year . Similarly , this newfound stability may allow SMBs to develop and scale their business . Despite the unprecedented impact of the war , the survey indicates that Ukrainian business shows no sign of slowing down plans to expand and operate on a global scale . �