Welcome to Khmelnitsky

Khmelnitsky Oblast has always been a center of commerce thriving on change. The largest city in the region, Khmelnitsky (the regional capital), is home to 260,017 people, and was founded in the late 15th century as a trading post at the crossroads of several major trade routes. Due to its geographic location and natural resources, the region has been a constant attraction for strangers including Tartars, Germans, Hungarians, Poles, Lithuanians, Austrians, Swedes and Russians. While these foreigners introduced their traditions, cultures, and religions, Khmelnitsky has maintained the unique Ukrainian national culture that has always been prominent in Khmelnitsky.

Today, it still plays this role, boasting one of the country's largest wholesale markets. In 1954, as the region's economy transformed to support the military sector, the city restructured itself into one of the most significant military-industrial production areas in Ukraine. Around the same time, the city renamed itself after Bogdan Khmelnitsky, a famous Ukrainian Cossack warrior.

As of July 1, 1997, the Khmelnitsky Oblast was home to 1,492,000 people. The urban residents account for 52% of the population, while rural residents account for 48%. As for its administrative divisions, the Oblast has 20 districts, 13 cities, 25 towns, and 1,417 villages. The Oblast boasts 27 institutes of higher learning and has a well-earned reputation for academic excellence. These institutes prepare over 10,000 students each year for their future roles as owners, managers and employees in the newly emerging market economy.

Now, as in the past, Khmelnitsky has proven its ability to change with the times. It has used its history as a trade center, coupled with its educated and skilled work force to emerge as a prime location for the production of consumer goods and retail trade. Khmelnitsky has become a thriving business center. As independent Ukraine continues on its path toward economic reform and a free-market economy, Khmelnitsky consistently leads the way. Khmelnitsky's economy includes a strong agricultural and industrial base and the region is rich in natural resources. The region is home to 280 industrial enterprises. The number of small businesses in Khmelnitsky continues to increase and a fledgling service industry is rapidly developing. Currently there are 1,874 small businesses and cooperatives. Furthermore, the volume of foreign investment in the area is increasing each year. Two hundred joint ventures have been created, among them more than 50 have foreign investors from such countries as Germany, USA, Turkey, Cyprus, Switzerland, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Hungary.

The Khmelnitsky Oblast is located in a favorable geographical area. It is easily accessible from all major cities in the NIS and Eastern Europe making it a gateway to both East and West. The Khmelnitsky Oblast is located in the western part of Ukraine in the Polyno-Podil'ska highlands. The transport system of the Oblast is quite developed. The most important railways and roads of Ukraine go through the territory of the Khmelnitsky Oblast. The center of the Oblast has not only convenient railway ties with Moscow, Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Budapest, and Belgrade; it also has an airport with a 2,200 meter runway. Transport is continuing to be developed. The construction of the "Western Europe-Kiyv" highway has been designed to go through the Khmelnitsky Oblast.

All of these features combine to make Khmelnitsky a uniquely attractive city. Khmelnitsky welcomes you to explore its history, culture, and business opportunities.

Send mail to singer@infocom.km.ua with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: June 23, 1998