Challenges and prospects of the Ukrainian chemical industry

The chemical industry is one of the key export-oriented sectors of the national economy. Given the intensification of the globalization and, consequently, competition in the global market for chemical products, this sector needs an in-depth research. In particular, the need to develop and implement a new model for the development of Ukrainian chemical industry that is in line with current global neo-industrial changes and challenges within the Industry 4.0 is urgent.Based on the calculations, performed on the basis of the “cost-output” matrix data, a structure of the chemical industry products’ use in Ukraine in terms of types of economic activity is formed, as well as the level of import dependence of the latter in the segment of intermediate consumption of chemical products is defined. Commodity and geographic structures of chemical products’ import in Ukraine have been built. The prospects for reducing the import dependence of the national economy on certain types of chemical products have been proven analytically. The comparative estimation of the level of chemical production costs in Ukraine and the of the European Union member-countries is carried out. The choice of directions of the Ukrainian chemical industry development is offered, which includes: intensification of basic production of inorganic and organic chemistry; reduction of import dependence of the national economy on certain types of chemical products; transformation of the export structure of chemical products in accordance with the standards of advanced industrial countries. A complex of organizational and economic measures, aimed at increasing the efficiency of the chemical enterprises and their export potential, was proposed. These measures, in particular, include stimulating the export activity of enterprises and their technical re-equipment, as well as the creation of new high-tech industries and the implementation of infrastructure projects. The vectors of institutional reforms in Ukraine, aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the chemical industry, are outlined.