Section: News & Summaries

      Moody`s forecast for Ukrainian banks improves
      May31

      Moody`s forecast for Ukrainian banks improves

      Moody`s Investors Service has today changed the outlook for Ukraine`s banking system to stable from negative.”The change in outlook reflects our view that the economy will begin to emerge from a deep recession in the coming 12-18 months , which will help contain further asset quality deterioration,” reads the agency`s announcement published May...

      Ukraine simplifies access of western medications to national pharmaceutical market
      May31

      Ukraine simplifies access of western medications to national pharmaceutical market

      The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law, which shortens the period of registration of medicines to 10 days and provides for a simplified procedure for medicines that are already registered in the EU, the U.S., Switzerland, Australia, and Canada.Draft law No.4484 ”On Amendments to Art. 9 of the Law `On Medicines`(with respect to the state registration...

      A Saakashvili Party Comeback? Not in Georgia but Maybe in Ukraine
      May31

      A Saakashvili Party Comeback? Not in Georgia but Maybe in Ukraine

      Odesa Oblast Governor Mikheil Saakashvili is preparing for the launch of his political party later this year in Ukraine, but this has not prevented him from pondering a return to politics in his native Georgia. Georgian voters go to the polls on October 8 to elect a new parliament in a contest viewed as a referendum on the performance of Bidzina...

      Rada lowers excise duty on import of used cars: popular models to become up to EUR 4,000 cheaper
      May31

      Rada lowers excise duty on import of used cars: popular models to become up to EUR 4,000 cheaper

      The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Tuesday adopted the bill on amendments to the Tax Code to encourage the development of the market for used vehicles, which assumes a significant reduction in the excise tax on import of used vehicles.The bill will come into force from the first day of the month following its publication according to a separate...

      Gazprom demands payment from Ukraine for $600 mln worth of gas supplied to occupied Donbas
      May31

      Gazprom demands payment from Ukraine for $600 mln worth of gas supplied to occupied Donbas

      Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has delivered to the occupied Donbas natural gas worth $600 million, but it demands that Ukraine pay for these supplies, an UNIAN correspondent in Rusia reported from a Moscow press conference held by deputy head of Gazrpom Alexander Medvedev in Moscow.”We have a single contract for the supply of gas to Ukraine,...

      Ukraine cancels mandatory registration of foreign investment
      May31

      Ukraine cancels mandatory registration of foreign investment

      Ukraine`s Verkhovna Rada has adopted a bill which cancels mandatory state registration of foreign investments.The bill on amendments to some legislative acts of Ukraine concerning the abolition of mandatory state registration of foreign investments was supported by 259 votes with the required minimum of 226 votes.Chief of the Verkhovna Rada...

      Deficit of Ukraine`s foreign trade in goods rises by almost 30%
      May31

      Deficit of Ukraine`s foreign trade in goods rises by almost 30%

      The deficit of Ukraine`s foreign trade in goods in January through April 2016 amounted to $1.706 billion, which was higher by 28.9% on a deficit of $1.324 billion in January-April 2015, according to the National Bank of Ukraine.Exports of goods from Ukraine in the period under review amounted to $9.915 billion, which is lower by 15% compared to...

      Europe Still in Denial as Russia Ushers in the Age of Hybrid Hostilities
      May31

      Europe Still in Denial as Russia Ushers in the Age of Hybrid Hostilities

      European leaders will gather in June to discuss whether to extend sanctions against Russia over the Kremlin’s hybrid war in Ukraine. The current sanctions regime will likely remain in place, but the mere fact the subject is up for debate is evidence of Europe’s alarming refusal to acknowledge the new security reality facing the...

      Study: Nearly 46 mln people in modern slavery – DW
      May31

      Study: Nearly 46 mln people in modern slavery – DW

      Nearly 46 million people around the world are forced into labor, sex work, debt bondage or other slave-like conditions, according to a study released Tuesday by the Australia-based Walk Free Foundation, Deutsche Welle reports.The 2016 Global Slavery Index found there to be many more ”modern slaves” than previously recognized, with nearly...

      Dutch govt backs visa-free regime for Ukraine
      May31

      Dutch govt backs visa-free regime for Ukraine

      The Cabinet of Ministers of the Netherlands has decided to support granting Ukraine a visa-free regime with the EU, according to the Europeiska Pravda news portal.The relevant decision was taken last Friday and is based on the findings of an ad hoc group to assess the proposal of the European Commission, Europeiska Pravda wrote.”With the progress...