Ukraine’s richest got a whole lot richer in 2010.
This year’s top 50 wealthiest gained over 50 percent on last year’s group.
They control the food Ukrainians eat, the TV channels they watch, as well as the fuel used to cook, for cars and to heat homes — pretty much everything except for the air.
But to a much greater extent than in most European countries, they also control the political and social direction of the country.
With such a strong hold over the economy and positions in government, these 50 people have more responsibility than anyone else over the fate of the nation. They are responsible for the desperate conditions that most Ukrainians live in across the country.”
– Kyiv Post.
With such a strong hold over the economy and positions in government, these 50 people have more responsibility than anyone else over the fate of the nation.
They are responsible for the desperate conditions that most Ukrainians live in across the country.
It’s hard to get an accurate estimate of the real extent of their wealth. That is because many prefer to hide their profits and riches offshore. If the wealthy were taxed properly, a lot more could go to helping lift the poorest out of destitution.
The list is notable for lack of innovators. This group remains dominated by those who managed to get their hands on Soviet industrial plants, former state companies and huge tracts of land.
Protecting the status quo serves their ends. Competition is blocked using courts, connections and complex schemes to keep prices high and wages low.
In collusion with politicians, power and fear rule.
Recently, some of them have started to burnish their images by sprinkling a little gold dust around to tamp down public discontent among the serfs.
But this mask is a weak disguise. The veil poorly conceals the machinations that are holding this country back.
Read also ‘Rich Man In A Poor Country’ with the list of the Ukraine’s Richest.
