Partners news

Thursday, December 20

Soybeans Soybeans – 4.4 million tons, 5% above the previous record of 4.2 million tons, set in 2016.

To relieve Russia’s maritime blockade of Mariupol, Ukraine’s main Azov seaport, Ukrzaliznytsia has increased its freight trains by 50%, To relieve Russia’s maritime blockade of Mariupol, Ukraine’s main Azov seaport, Ukrzaliznytsia has increased its freight trains by 50%, to 24 trains a day, the state railroad reports. With freight tra...

FMO, Holland’s development bank, is lending $10 million to Nibulon, the grain trader, to improve its use of river barges and ports FMO, Holland’s development bank, is lending $10 million to Nibulon, the grain trader, to improve its use of river barges and ports. By 2021, Nibulon, the largest user of river transport in Ukraine, wa...

With IMF and EU money arriving this week in Kyiv, Ukraine’s central bank reserves should hit $20 billion by the end of December With IMF and EU money arriving this week in Kyiv, Ukraine’s central bank reserves should hit $20 billion by the end of December, for the first time since the economic crisis hit five years ago. Dragon...

Belarus and Ukraine are taking steps to restore river navigation on their shared river, the Dnipro Belarus and Ukraine are taking steps to restore river navigation on their shared river, the Dnipro. On Monday, Ukraine’s Sea Ports Administration signed an agreement with Beltopenergo, a Belarus oil t...

Ukraine plans to leverage the $750 million in World Bank guarantees to raise $1 billion of foreign borrowings in two tranches Ukraine plans to leverage the $750 million in World Bank guarantees to raise $1 billion of foreign borrowings in two tranches – $400 million in the next 10 days and $600 million next month, Fina...

The first tranche of IMF money — $1.38 billion – is to be disbursed ‘immediately. The first tranche of IMF money — $1.38 billion – is to be disbursed ‘immediately.’ But the next two tranches – probably of $1.24 billion each – depend on Ukraine passing two semi-annual reviews,...

Noting that the next two tranches “are not secured,” Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes: Noting that the next two tranches “are not secured,” Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes: “Their provision will depend on Ukraine’s willingness to continue cooperation with the Fund, which w...

Dragon writes of the IMF program, which is to last through February 2020 Dragon writes of the IMF program, which is to last through February 2020: “Continued cooperation with the Fund would also anchor domestic economic policies and help preserve macroeconomic stability du...

Following one IMF recommendation, the government is dividing the State Fiscal Service into the State Tax Service and the State Customs Service, Following one IMF recommendation, the government is dividing the State Fiscal Service into the State Tax Service and the State Customs Service, the Finance Ministry reports. Deputy Finance Minister Se...

GDP growth in July-September was 2.8% compared to the same third quarter of 2017 GDP growth in July-September was 2.8% compared to the same third quarter of 2017, reports the State Statistics Service. The IMF forecasts Ukraine’s GDP will grow this year by 3.3%, near the Nati...

Wednesday, December 19

Energy investors are not happy to see the end of Ukraine’s lucrative green tariffs – among the highest in Europe Energy investors are not happy to see the end of Ukraine’s lucrative green tariffs – among the highest in Europe – but they recognize that high green tariffs were used in much of Europe to jump start ...

Ukraine now has 2 gigawatts capacity of renewable energy in place, about 40% more than last year. Ukraine now has 2 gigawatts capacity of renewable energy in place, about 40% more than last year. About 60 foreign and national companies have proposed a total of another 2 gigawatts for the Chernobyl...

Germany’s switch to auctions “cut investment in renewables in half,” Germany’s switch to auctions “cut investment in renewables in half,” Hans-Josef Fell, a former member of the Bundestag for the Green Party, warned the investment forum. Noting that auctions require ex...

To lower investor risk, the government is using a Finnish grant to prepare a ‘Green Investment Fund’ for Ukraine. To lower investor risk, the government is using a Finnish grant to prepare a ‘Green Investment Fund’ for Ukraine. Through this mechanism, the Fund would finance 30% of renewable energy investment proj...

Germany has agreed to provide EUR 35 million to Ukraine for the promotion of biomass energy Germany has agreed to provide EUR 35 million to Ukraine for the promotion of biomass energy, reports Ostap Semerak, minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. Ukraine’s massive farm sector accounts fo...

Next year, $500 million could be invested in winterizing Ukraine’s energy inefficient houses and apartments, Prime Minister Groysman said Tuesday. Next year, $500 million could be invested in winterizing Ukraine’s energy inefficient houses and apartments, Prime Minister Groysman said Tuesday. To date, government-issued ‘warm loans’ have financed...

Highlighting investment opportunities, four Ukrainian cities – Chorkiv, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Lviv, and Zhytomyr – have set a goal of shifting to 100% renewable energy by 2050 Highlighting investment opportunities, four Ukrainian cities – Chorkiv, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Lviv, and Zhytomyr – have set a goal of shifting to 100% renewable energy by 2050, Reuters reports. Zhytomy...

Ukraine’s production of grain and oilseeds has doubled in less than two decades Ukraine’s production of grain and oilseeds has doubled in less than two decades, Nikolai Gorbachev, president of the Ukrainian Grain Association, tells reporters in Kyiv. By July 1, the end of the mar...

Through November, farm production was up 8.2% Through November, farm production was up 8.2%, compared to the first 11 months of last year, the State Statistics Service reports. Crop production was up 11.2%. But animal husbandry barely budged, ris...

The IMF Board approved a new $3.9 billion, 14-month stand-by loan for Ukraine The IMF Board approved a new $3.9 billion, 14-month stand-by loan for Ukraine, President Poroshenko wrote on Facebook Tuesday night. The Finance Ministry said the first tranche of $1.4 billion should ...

The World Bank Board approved a $750 million The World Bank Board approved a $750 million ‘Policy-Based Guarantee’ “to help Ukraine raise about $1 billion from international markets to finance the country’s budget.” The 10-year guarantee is “to ...

The guarantee “sends a signal to investors about Ukraine’s ability to sustain reforms and address macroeconomic vulnerabilities The guarantee “sends a signal to investors about Ukraine’s ability to sustain reforms and address macroeconomic vulnerabilities ahead of the 2019 elections,” says Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Ukraine Dir...

Poroshenko welcomed both approvals by the Boards in Washington Poroshenko welcomed both approvals by the Boards in Washington, writing on Facebook: “Such decisions that come from leading world financial institutions to ensure the stability of our progress and str...

In Brussels, Prime Minister Groysman said Tuesday In Brussels, Prime Minister Groysman said Tuesday Ukraine expects to receive a second EUR 500 million tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU early next year. He spoke after meeting with Val...

Tomorrow, the Rada is to debate a renewable energy bill that would start electricity auctions in 2020 Tomorrow, the Rada is to debate a renewable energy bill that would start electricity auctions in 2020 for wind power plants over 20 MW and for all other renewable energy plants over 10 MW, says Oleksa...

The current ‘green’ tariff purchase plan is to remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2019 The current ‘green’ tariff purchase plan is to remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2019. In 2020, green tariffs for solar would drop by 25% for solar and by 10% for wind. From 2021-2024, solar tariffs w...

Tuesday, December 18

Winterizing chilly classrooms and offices in universities Winterizing chilly classrooms and offices in universities is the goal of an EUR 10 million European Investment Bank grant Ukraine. The warm schools are to be in: Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Poltav...

President Poroshenko plans to visit Israel next month to sign the bilateral free trade agreement President Poroshenko plans to visit Israel next month to sign the bilateral free trade agreement, he said Monday in Dnipro. He also said that talks for a free trade agreement with Turkey have ended su...

“Russia-Ukraine sea clash leaves Mariupol port deserted” headlines a BBC Ukrainian service report about Ukraine’s largest port on the Sea of Azov. “Russia-Ukraine sea clash leaves Mariupol port deserted” headlines a BBC Ukrainian service report about Ukraine’s largest port on the Sea of Azov. In a report posted Sunday, Zhanna Bezpiatchuk, wrote:...

Nations of shipping companies that lose money from Russia’s “inspections” at the Kerch Strait should reciprocate with “mirror actions,” Nations of shipping companies that lose money from Russia’s “inspections” at the Kerch Strait should reciprocate with “mirror actions,” Prime Minister Groysman told reporters in Brussels after the 5th...

Russia has installed “coastal batteries and missile systems” to cover the Kerch Strait Russia has installed “coastal batteries and missile systems” to cover the Kerch Strait, President Poroshenko said Monday, referring to Russia’s chokepoint for shipping into the Azov, a binational sea....

Under pressure to improve rail service, Ukraine’s main freight car producer has almost doubled production of wagons this year, to 3,292. Under pressure to improve rail service, Ukraine’s main freight car producer has almost doubled production of wagons this year, to 3,292. Kriukiv Railway Car Manufacturing Plant in Kremenchuk, Poltava,...

A ship loaded with 21,000 tons of corn for Lebanon inaugurated on Sunday a new terminal built by Evrovneshtorg at Olvia port A ship loaded with 21,000 tons of corn for Lebanon inaugurated on Sunday a new terminal built by Evrovneshtorg at Olvia port, in Kherson. The company’s investment plans for Olvia envisage handling 1 m...

To get into the business of storing gas for Europe, Ukrtransgaz has created an autonomous business unit: Gas Storage Operator of Ukraine To get into the business of storing gas for Europe, Ukrtransgaz has created an autonomous business unit: Gas Storage Operator of Ukraine. On Jan. 1, this new unit will come into existence, controlling...

Clearing an obstacle to restore air flights to Zakarpattia Clearing an obstacle to restore air flights to Zakarpattia, the European Aviation Safety Agency has certified that UkSATSE, Ukraine’s air traffic control agency, complies with EU norms. Zakarpattia’s ...

After four years of losses, including $1 billion last year, Ukraine’s banks have returned to making money, recording $535 million in profits through October After four years of losses, including $1 billion last year, Ukraine’s banks have returned to making money, recording $535 million in profits through October, reports Kateryna Rozhkova, first deputy go...

Ukraine faces a two-year debt payment mountain of $17 billion in 2019-2020 Ukraine faces a two-year debt payment mountain of $17 billion in 2019-2020, according to a central bank report on financial stability. The National Bank of Ukraine says the only way to avoid default i...

The EBRD will loan $48 million to Kernel to build five thermal power plants fueled by sunflower seed husks. The EBRD will loan $48 million to Kernel to build five thermal power plants fueled by sunflower seed husks. Kernel is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil. The loan covers ...

Faster and safer highways are the goal of a EUR 50 million low-interest loan that the European Investment Bank Faster and safer highways are the goal of a EUR 50 million low-interest loan that the European Investment Bank signed Monday in Brussels with Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan. In one ...

Last week in Kyiv, Omelyan complained that the EU should understand that free trade means investing in highways to allow the free flow of goods Last week in Kyiv, Omelyan complained that the EU should understand that free trade means investing in highways to allow the free flow of goods. “For infrastructure, we are getting peanuts,” he said a...

Winterizing inefficient Soviet-era housing is the goal an EU grant — EUR 54 million to Ukraine’s Energy Efficiency Fund. Winterizing inefficient Soviet-era housing is the goal an EU grant — EUR 54 million to Ukraine’s Energy Efficiency Fund. Last June, Ukraine received the first EUR 50 million from the EU. Signing...

Monday, December 17

Through October, Ukraine’s trade deficit was two thirds greater than during the same period last year. Through October, Ukraine’s trade deficit was two thirds greater than during the same period last year. Pushing the deficit to almost $8 billion, imports rose 17%, to $47 billion, while exports rose 10...

Some shipping companies are stopping sending ships to Ukraine’s Sea of Azov ports for fear of expensive delays by Russian border guards Some shipping companies are stopping sending ships to Ukraine’s Sea of Azov ports for fear of expensive delays by Russian border guards, Andrii Klymenko, a Crimea native who now chairs the Maidan of F...

U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament passed resolutions with lopsided margins last week demanding that Russia restore freedom of shipping to the Azov. U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament passed resolutions with lopsided margins last week demanding that Russia restore freedom of shipping to the Azov. “The United States and...

Russian hackers broke into the IT systems of more than 100 military and state institutions Russian hackers broke into the IT systems of more than 100 military and state institutions in western Ukraine, Reuters reports, citing a statement on Friday by the state security service, or SBU.

Benoit Pleska, a Belgian graduate of Stanford University, was elected chair of Ukrposhta’s new supervisory board Benoit Pleska, a Belgian graduate of Stanford University, was elected chair of Ukrposhta’s new supervisory board. With experience in eastern Europe since the early 1990s, Pleska is a board member of P...

Rada passage of a concessions bill would unlock almost $700 million in private investments for two Black Sea ports – Kherson and Olvia. Rada passage of a concessions bill would unlock almost $700 million in private investments for two Black Sea ports – Kherson and Olvia. Seven companies – foreign and national — want to participa...

A concessions bill would create A concessions bill would create a transparent procedure for selecting concessionaires, international arbitration of disputes and the ability to attract advisers to prepare projects for public-private ...

With a legal framework for concessions, public-private partnerships will develop regional airports With a legal framework for concessions, public-private partnerships will develop regional airports, predicts Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan. “When we hit the limit with Boryspil, we will ne...