Partners news

Friday, December 28

Tender offers submitted by 12 international auditing companies Tender offers submitted by 12 international auditing companies are being evaluated for the audit of Urkoboronprom, the state defense manufacturing conglomerate. The tender on ProZorro closed Dec. 11

In an easing of Russia’s control of the Azov Sea, 11 ships docked Dec. 22-26 at Mariupol, In an easing of Russia’s control of the Azov Sea, 11 ships docked Dec. 22-26 at Mariupol, Ukraine’s main port on the binational sea. As of Thursday morning, two ships were awaiting passage through the...

Contradicting promises by German politicians Contradicting promises by German politicians, Russian Energy minister Alexander Novak tells Moscow’s Kommersant newspaper that Gazprom is capable of “fulfilling its long-term [gas] contracts, even if ...

Tesla’s Supercharger stations will stretch “from Ireland to Kiev” next year, Tesla’s Supercharger stations will stretch “from Ireland to Kiev” next year, tweets Elon Musk, founder and CEO of the electric car manufacturer. Promising that “Supercharger coverage will extend to 10...

As Ukrainians head off for their New Year’s / Christmas holidays, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan says the nation recorded last week the 20 millionth passenger of 2018 As Ukrainians head off for their New Year’s / Christmas holidays, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan says the nation recorded last week the 20 millionth passenger of 2018. By contrast, he notes...

Turkish Airlines is increasing its direct flights between Istanbul and Kyiv by 50%, Turkish Airlines is increasing its direct flights between Istanbul and Kyiv by 50%, to two flights a day starting Feb. 18. In the spring, Turkey’s flag carrier airline also will offer its first flight...

In Ukraine’s largest coal energy project since independence, China’s Dongfang Electric International Corporation has signed a 5-year, $684 million contract with Donbasenergo In Ukraine’s largest coal energy project since independence, China’s Dongfang Electric International Corporation has signed a 5-year, $684 million contract with Donbasenergo to build two coal-fired po...

At the signing ceremony in Kyiv, Luo Zhigang, chairman of Donfang, praised the tender procedure, by ProZorro At the signing ceremony in Kyiv, Luo Zhigang, chairman of Donfang, praised the tender procedure, by ProZorro, calling it “the open, fair and the equal way of selecting the contractor for this project....

Capital investment increased by 20% during the first half of 2018, Capital investment increased by 20% during the first half of 2018, compared to the first half of 2017, Stepan Kubiv, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, told the Cabinet of Ministers on Thursd...

Prime Minister Groysman predicts Ukraine’s economy will grow next year by 3.5%. Prime Minister Groysman predicts Ukraine’s economy will grow next year by 3.5%. He told the Cabinet of Ministers Thursday: “The consensus forecast that we have for December speaks of a growth of 3.5%....

This year, “GDP growth will be more than 3%,” said Kubiv. This year, “GDP growth will be more than 3%,” said Kubiv. Leading forecasts for 2018 are: 3.2% — Economic and Trade; 3.3% — IMF; 3.4% — National Bank of Ukraine; and 3.5% — Wor...

Ukraine received Thursday a EUR349.3 million ($400 million) loan from Deutsche Bank Ukraine received Thursday a EUR349.3 million ($400 million) loan from Deutsche Bank, lent against the $750 million World Bank guarantee extended to Ukraine 10 days ago. The World Bank calculates Ukrai...

With the new money from Deutsche Bank, Ukraine’s reserves rose Thursday to a five year high: $20.7 billion. With the new money from Deutsche Bank, Ukraine’s reserves rose Thursday to a five year high: $20.7 billion. The last time, Ukraine’s reserves were at this level was in October 2013, the month before t...

Matching last week’s ratings upgrade to the sovereign Matching last week’s ratings upgrade to the sovereign, Moody’s also has upgraded the ratings of Kyiv, Kharkiv and PrivatBank from Caa2 to Caa1.

During the first four months of ‘small’ privatization During the first four months of ‘small’ privatization auctions by ProZorro.Sales, the government has sold 471 state properties, netting a total of $21 million. Slated to accelerate in 2019, the progra...

The Soviet-era industrial junk that rail passengers ponder from train windows may soon start disappearing The Soviet-era industrial junk that rail passengers ponder from train windows may soon start disappearing as Ukrzaliznytsya starts selling scrap through ProZorro.Sales. The electronic platform has put...

Thursday, December 27

Ukraine’s “brains, hands and grains,” will be on display next month at the Ukraine House at the Davos “billionaires club,” the World Economic Forum. Ukraine’s “brains, hands and grains,” will be on display next month at the Ukraine House at the Davos “billionaires club,” the World Economic Forum. “Ukraine: Creativity, Innovation, Opportunity...

In a reversal, Russia’s Rosccongress Foundation now is preparing a Russia House for Davos. In a reversal, Russia’s Rosccongress Foundation now is preparing a Russia House for Davos. Last month, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that Russian state companies might boycott the World ...

Russia added seven Ukrainian businesses and 245 people to a blacklist Russia added seven Ukrainian businesses and 245 people to a blacklist first announced two months ago. The sanctioned companies are: Ukreximbank, IG TAS, Centrenergo, Ukroboronprom’s Ukrspetsexport, TA...

A Nova Posta unit has signed an agreement to deliver goods for IKEA A Nova Posta unit has signed an agreement to deliver goods for IKEA after the Swedish furniture retailer opens in Kyiv, probably late next year. IKEA plans to open a 5,000 square ‘city store’ in Ocean...

For the first time since spring 2013, scheduled air service returned to Mykolayiv For the first time since spring 2013, scheduled air service returned to Mykolayiv Thursday with a Dream Wind flight from Kyiv Sikorsky (Zhuliany). The flight is to be twice a week through the winter. ...

Starting Tuesday, Ukraine stops issuing visas at its international airports. Starting Tuesday, Ukraine stops issuing visas at its international airports. This year, 35,000 visitors got their visas at Ukrainian airports, largely Boryspil. Now, citizens from 52 countries need to...

President Poroshenko lifted martial law Thursday from the 10 border regions President Poroshenko lifted martial law Thursday from the 10 border regions where it was imposed one month ago. Poroshenko said presidential elections will take place as scheduled. “We will protect de...

Martial law had no direct impact on Kyiv, the nation’s business capital Martial law had no direct impact on Kyiv, the nation’s business capital, but it dented the nation’s image overseas. Several investment roadshows to foreign financial capitals were cancelled. Some fore...

Moody’s, the international rating agency, has upgraded Ukraine’s sovereign rating one notch Moody’s, the international rating agency, has upgraded Ukraine’s sovereign rating one notch — from Caa2 to Caa1. The rating outlook changed from “positive” to “stable.” In a 2,500-word explanato...

Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes Thursday: Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes Thursday: “It was not the best time for a rating upgrade in our view…we agree with Moody’s that the institutional independence of Ukraine’s central bank i...

Dragon writes: Dragon writes: “The positive rating action from Moody’s added to a raft of positive sovereign-related news over the past few weeks…of the big three global credit rating agencies, Moody’s has been the ...

China starts importing Ukrainian poultry meat this week China starts importing Ukrainian poultry meat this week, the latest of 14 new countries outside the EU to do so, Ukraine’s Food and Consumer Service tells Interfax-Ukraine. Through 2020, 24 additional...

Ukraine’s top meat export, poultry exports were up 29% in dollar terms Ukraine’s top meat export, poultry exports were up 29% in dollar terms through September yoy, to $381 million. The third largest supplier of chicken meat to the EU, Ukraine exported 67,000 tons of pou...

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has reached Sweden’s economic zone The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has reached Sweden’s economic zone, Sveriges Radio reports. With pipe laid for one third of the 1,200 km Russia-to-Germany gas line, pipes now are stocked in Karlshamn, a Sw...

Friday, December 21

By the end of March, the IMF wants to see a final Rada vote to abolish the National Financial Services By the end of March, the IMF wants to see a final Rada vote to abolish the National Financial Services and to split its powers between the National Bank of Ukraine and the National Commission on Secur...

A bill to cut ‘green’ tariffs and to start auctions for wind and solar power energy passed its first reading A bill to cut ‘green’ tariffs and to start auctions for wind and solar power energy passed its first reading Thursday in the Rada by a narrow margin — two votes. Under the bill, a consensus of s...

Ukraine’s ban on sales of farmland was extended for one more year. Ukraine’s ban on sales of farmland was extended for one more year. With the Rada vote on Thursday, the ban will complete two decades. But the new law gives the Cabinet of Ministers two months to come ...

Ukraine is launching a national website to help farmers determine market values of land leases Ukraine is launching a national website to help farmers determine market values of land leases. Maintained by the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, the portal draws on a nationwide database of soil q...

To set a market for freight car rentals To set a market for freight car rentals, Ukrzaliznytsya has put its first cars – 50-grain hoppers – up for leasing through ProZorro. Bids are accepted through Dec. 26 and the auctions will be held the...

As of Thursday morning, 41 US Senators – out of 100 – backed a resolution urging President Trump “to work with United States allies to promptly lead a robust multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea As of Thursday morning, 41 US Senators – out of 100 – backed a resolution urging President Trump “to work with United States allies to promptly lead a robust multinational freedom of navigation operat...

The resolution also calls on EU ports to stop refueling Russian Navy ships and for the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline The resolution also calls on EU ports to stop refueling Russian Navy ships and for the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a co-sponsor, cites Russia’s attack...

Starting Monday, Boryspil airport will restrict air cargo imports for 10 days Starting Monday, Boryspil airport will restrict air cargo imports for 10 days, reports the website for Kyiv’s main airport. With Boryspil, Ukraine’s busiest airport stretched for space and personnel, ...

Tenders for 12 oil and gas production sharing agreements are to draw up to $2 billion in investment Tenders for 12 oil and gas production sharing agreements are to draw up to $2 billion in investment for exploration and production, predicts Igor Nasalik, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry. The ten...

The long-awaited decision to re-start production sharing agreements is a “huge win…really big time for Ukraine, international investors” The long-awaited decision to re-start production sharing agreements is a “huge win…really big time for Ukraine, international investors” says Morgan Williams, director of government affairs of SigmaBl...

Also in energy, the Cabinet of Ministers approved Tuesday the transfer of 90% of rights and obligations of the old Royal Dutch Shell gas concession in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions to Yuzgaz BV Also in energy, the Cabinet of Ministers approved Tuesday the transfer of 90% of rights and obligations of the old Royal Dutch Shell gas concession in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions to Yuzgaz BV, a Ukrai...

Details of Ukraine’s first 10 oil and gas leases up for electronic auction are now on the ProZorro platform. Details of Ukraine’s first 10 oil and gas leases up for electronic auction are now on the ProZorro platform. Auctions are to be held in the first quarter of 2019, says Stepan Kubiv, Minister of Econom...

“Big” privatizations are a condition for Ukraine to receive more money from the IMF “Big” privatizations are a condition for Ukraine to receive more money from the IMF under the new 14-month standby program, according to UNIAN. By July 1, these state companies should be sold off: ele...

Running through February 2020, the IMF program also stipulates that Ukraine raise household gas prices to market levels by Jan. 1, 2020 Running through February 2020, the IMF program also stipulates that Ukraine raise household gas prices to market levels by Jan. 1, 2020. Also, before this spring’s presidential election is over, the c...

Thursday, December 20

The Deposit Guarantee Fund has started to liquidate VTB Bank, The Deposit Guarantee Fund has started to liquidate VTB Bank, the Ukraine unit of Moscow’s VTB, a state-owned bank. Liquidation started after the National Bank of Ukraine blocked the bank’s sale, alle...

Under liquidation, depositors have until the end of January to apply to the Fund to get their money back. Under liquidation, depositors have until the end of January to apply to the Fund to get their money back. Deposits up to the insured limit — $7,150 — are to be paid in full. This will cove...

Russia’s two other big banks here, Sberbank and VEB, “are winding down their business,” Russia’s two other big banks here, Sberbank and VEB, “are winding down their business,” in Ukraine, Yakiv Smoliy, governor of the central bank, told Reuters in an interview two weeks ago. Until Russia...

After a record grain harvest of 70 million tons, traders predict record exports – 50 million tons After a record grain harvest of 70 million tons, traders predict record exports – 50 million tons, Maxim Martynyuk, the new Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, tells reporters. Confounding a slow st...

Corn Corn — 35.5 million tons of corn, or 15% more than the previous record of 30.9 million tons, set in 2013;

Sunflower seeds Sunflower seeds – 13.7 million tons, just above the previous record of 13.6 million tons, set in 2016.