Ukraine bets on Philippines ube, other exports

MANILA, Philippines - The air-raid sirens wail five or six times a day in Ukraine, sending Ukrainians to bomb shelters.

But between the blaring sounds of danger, life goes on in the Eastern European country that has been fighting a Russian invasion.

This includes keeping commerce alive while fighting the war, Ukraine Ambassador Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv told The STAR in an interview on Friday at the Ukraine embassy in Manila.

For Ukraine, doing business is not something to be postponed until peace comes.

It is part of how the country survives the war.

"We understand that in order for Ukraine to sustain this fight for our independence and preservation of our territorial integrity, we need also to support our economy and to increase the exports," she said.

As such, Ukraine is forging stronger trade ties with the Philippines and other countries.