Andriy Boytsun: Ukraine should have fewer yet better-governed state enterprises

The best estimates are that Ukraine’s central government owns 3,500 businesses, with another 12,000–15,000 owned by regional or municipal governments. But nobody knows for sure.

What is known for sure is that they collectively bleed billions of dollars a year through corruption or mismanagement. These costs are shouldered by their owners — the taxpayers — who would otherwise be able to spend this money on better education, transportation, environmental protection, health care, pensions, and more.