New Privatization Chief in Ukraine: Dmytro Natalukha's Role in the Fate of the Odesa Portside Plant

Dmytro Natalukha's Appointment

According to ХВИЛЯ: The appointment of Dmytro Natalukha as the new head of Ukraine's State Property Fund (SPF) has sparked debate, particularly concerning the planned privatization of the large Odesa Portside Plant (OPP). The SPF is the agency responsible for managing and selling state-owned assets. An initial privatization tender for the OPP, scheduled for November 2025, was declared unsuccessful due to a lack of participants, and a new tender is now planned for 2026.

Interest from Agro Gas Trading

The company Agro Gas Trading (AGT) has expressed interest in participating in future privatization tenders for the OPP. However, according to AGT partner Oleksandr Horbunenko, the company was unjustifiably barred from the previous tender and faced artificial administrative barriers. This raises serious concerns about the transparency and fairness of the entire privatization process.

• Oleksandr Horbunenko stressed that the new SPF head faces a critical choice that will impact his reputation and shape the future of privatization in Ukraine.
• He noted that 'the issue is not about a specific name, but about whether the system functions under clear, transparent, predictable, and consistent rules.'
• Horbunenko also observed that 'either privatization operates under predictable rules, or the state will continue to lose investor trust.'

Consequently, the leadership change at the SPF under Dmytro Natalukha could significantly influence the future of the OPP privatization and other state asset sales. Transparency and adherence to standards in tender processes remain crucial for attracting investment and rebuilding confidence in Ukraine's privatization system. The success of this new leadership will affect not only specific asset sales but also the country's broader investment climate, which is vital for post-war reconstruction.