Direct foreign investments in Ukraine are estimated at $4 billion in 2012, which is significantly lower than last year, Executive Director of the International Bleyzer Foundation Oleg Ustenko told a press conference in Kyiv.

"If last year about $300 billion was invested in emerging markets, Ukraine was able to adsorb only $6 billion. This is 2% of the sum total received by emerging markets. This year, we estimate the inflow of foreign direct investment at 4 billion dollars, which is significantly lower than last year," the expert said.

As Ustenko put it, foreign direct investment in Ukraine could be encouraged by improvement of the investment climate, continuation of reforms, ratings upgrade and cooperation with the IMF.

The expert said that, under the assessment of the State Tax Administration of Ukraine, the country's investment potential could be 15 billion dollars. "According to the tax activity research, which was conducted by the State Tax Administration, Ukraine received 4.23 on a 10-point scale. I think we could qualify for $15 billion."

Ukrinform