80 states and four organizations supported the final communiqué of the Global Peace Summit held in Switzerland, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said.
“This means commitment to the sovereignty of our state, the need for the operation of the ZNPP under the full control of Ukraine, the inadmissibility of attacks on merchant ships in the seas washing Ukraine, a call for the repatriation of prisoners according to the “all for all” formula and the unconditional return of Ukrainian children!”, Lubinets wrote in Telegram on Sunday.
According to the Internet edition “20 minuten”, the communiqué was not signed by representatives of 13 countries: Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Vatican, India, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the Vatican.
According to Reuters, the preliminary text of the summit communiqué on Ukraine recorded the agreement of the summit participants on such 3 aspects.
In particular, it is necessary to ensure safety in the use of nuclear energy – including at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which should operate in accordance with IAEA requirements and under its supervision.
It is also necessary to guarantee the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Attacks on merchant ships and civilian commercial ports are unacceptable and food security should not be used for military purposes.
Third, all prisoners of war should be released through an all-for-all exchange, and all deported Ukrainian children and adult civilians should return home.
In addition, the summit believes that “achieving peace requires participation and dialog between all parties”; therefore, it is decided to “take concrete steps in the above-mentioned areas in the future, with further participation of representatives of all parties.”
“The UN Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, can and will serve as the basis for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the draft communiqué of the summit reads.
As reported, 101 participants, including eight international organizations, were represented at the Peace Summit in Switzerland.
In the Southeast Asian region, Ukrainians have the most positive attitude toward Japan and South Korea. This is evidenced by the results of a joint study by the Experts Club think tank and the Active Group research company, presented at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.
“Our research has shown that in East Asia, Ukrainians are most supportive of Japan and South Korea. Attitudes toward these countries largely depend on their support for Ukraine after the war began. In the Caucasus region, a positive attitude toward Georgia remains. Also, more than 50% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards Kazakhstan. The lowest level of support was recorded for such countries as the DPRK, Syria, and Iraq,” said Oleksandr Poznyi, director of the Active Group research company.
According to the expert, the negative attitude of Ukrainians toward China is also quite eloquent.
“Only 4% of citizens have a positive attitude toward China, 16.7% have a mostly positive attitude, 58.8% have a negative attitude, and 20% have not decided. Currently, China’s position is not entirely unambiguous in relation to Ukraine, which is reflected in the attitude of Ukrainians,” Mr. Poznyi emphasized.
In his turn, Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club think tank and deputy director of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, presented an analysis of Ukraine’s foreign trade with a number of Asian countries based on data from the State Customs Service for 2023.
“The largest market for Ukrainian goods in Asia is China – more than $2 billion. India ranks second, followed by Kazakhstan, Georgia, Iraq, and Indonesia. As for imports, China is also the largest importer to Ukraine, with more than $10 billion. It is followed by India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In terms of total trade between Ukraine and these countries, China is also the leader, with almost $13 billion. India ranks second – 2.5 billion, followed by Japan – almost a billion,” said Urakin.
According to him, the analysis of economic data shows that Ukraine has significant trade ties with the countries of the Middle East and East Asia. At the same time, China remains one of our country’s largest trading partners in terms of both exports and imports.
“The problem of trade deficit remains, as Ukraine spends a lot of money on imports, while earning little on exports. This is a real problem. In 2023, Ukraine’s trade deficit with all countries is over $27 billion. The deficit with China is $8 billion. Among the countries represented today, we have a positive balance only with Iraq – almost $200 million in favor of Ukraine, Georgia – $100 million, and Armenia – $54 million,” Urakin added.
Chairman of the Ukrainian-Arab Business Council, member of the Council of National Communities of Ukraine Dr. Emad Abu Alrub emphasized that the importance of Ukraine’s relations with the countries of Asia and the Arab world cannot be overestimated, and Ukraine is currently taking important steps to develop these relations.
“Ukraine has significant opportunities in the markets of Arab countries, which have a total population of over 550 million. Arab countries are a permanent market for our goods. After 2014, new markets opened up for our country, especially in Asia. The Ukrainian Arab Business Council is actively working to develop these relations. We need to create a strategic plan to improve relations at the level of economy, politics, and culture. We have significant chances for success, but we need better communication and marketing,” emphasized Dr. Abu Alrub.
He also added that Saudi Arabia is interested in cooperating with Ukraine by investing not only in trade, but also in agriculture, technology, and other projects. Other interesting countries are the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt. All of them also have great potential for investment in Ukraine.
In conclusion, Maksym Urakin called on foreign embassies to be more active in establishing communication with Ukrainian society.
“If you can, please provide information to journalists about what you are doing here, how you are helping in the humanitarian sphere. Through these ties, we will deepen our cooperation, because the way Ukrainian citizens view your countries also depends on your work,” he concluded.
ACTIVE_GROUP, ALEXANDER_POZNYI, EAST_ASIA, ECONOMY, EXPERTS_CLUB, MAXIM_URAKIN, MIDDLE_EAST, SOCIOLOGY, SURVEY
Die zur SCM Group gehörende Investmentgesellschaft umgi (ehemals UMG Investments) hat in den Jahren 2022-2023 fast 22 Millionen Dollar in die Entwicklung der Geschäfte der Gruppe investiert.
Laut einer Pressemitteilung vom Mittwoch hat umgi im vergangenen Jahr seine Strategie der Erschließung europäischer Märkte durch Investitionen in das Wachstum seiner Vermögenswerte weiter umgesetzt.
Demnach wurde das Portfolio der Industrieprodukte von umgi durch die Eröffnung eines neuen Werks zur Herstellung von Pulverdrähten der Inwire Group in Izmit (Türkei), einem der größten Hersteller von Komponenten für die metallurgische Industrie in der Ukraine, erweitert. Der Bau und die Inbetriebnahme der Anlage dauerten zwei Jahre. Die Produkte der neuen Produktionsstätte sind darauf ausgerichtet, den Bedarf des lokalen Marktes der Türkei und anderer Länder des Nahen Ostens zu decken, und werden zur Stärkung der Position des Herstellers auf dem Weltmarkt beitragen.
Die Gesamtinvestition in das Projekt beläuft sich auf 2,4 Mio. $ ab 2022. umgi hat außerdem sein Upstream-Portfolio durch die Eröffnung neuer Produktionsanlagen der VESCO-Gruppe in Spanien gestärkt.
“umgi strebt den Aufbau eines Portfolios mit einem Marktwert von 1 Mrd. USD an, indem wir unser Know-how auf den globalen Märkten einsetzen und internationale Partner in die Erholung der Ukraine einbinden. Unser Investmentteam erkundet ständig neue Geschäftsmöglichkeiten und baut ein Netzwerk von Partnern auf dem ukrainischen, EU-, türkischen und indischen Markt auf. Unser Ziel ist es, unser Portfolio mit neuen Industrie- und Gesundheitsgeschäften sowohl in der Ukraine als auch im Ausland zu stärken und ein bis zwei Vereinbarungen pro Jahr abzuschließen”, sagte Andriy Gorokhov, CEO von umgi.
In der Pressemitteilung wird darauf hingewiesen, dass umgi die ukrainische Wirtschaft systematisch unterstützt. Der Gesamtbetrag der von den Unternehmen unter der Leitung von umgi gezahlten Steuern belief sich im Jahr 2023 auf mehr als 321 Millionen UAH. Außerdem hat das Unternehmen zur Unterstützung der AFU, der TRO und der Gemeinden in den Orten, in denen umgi-Unternehmen präsent sind, 6 Mio. UAH bereitgestellt und Waren und Dienstleistungen für 2 Mio. UAH geliefert. Den Verteidigern werden Spezialausrüstungen für den Bau von Befestigungsanlagen, persönliche Schutzausrüstungen, technische Mittel, Treibstoff und andere notwendige Dinge zur Verfügung gestellt, Hilfe beim Bau von Befestigungsanlagen, Bereitstellung von Baumaterialien usw. geleistet.
Die Gesamtverluste der umgi für das Jahr 2023 belaufen sich nach internen Schätzungen auf etwa 20 Mio. $. Insbesondere das Feuerfestwerk in Chasovoyarsk, das zur VESCO-Gruppe gehört, befindet sich in einer aktiven Kampfzone.
“Trotz der erheblichen Verluste, die unsere Anlagen durch die russische Invasion erlitten haben, zeigt sich das ukrainische Geschäft widerstandsfähig und passt sich schnell an die neuen Bedingungen an. In der verarbeitenden Industrie, im Baugewerbe und in der Logistik sehen wir Anzeichen für eine Erneuerung. Feednova hat sein Budget trotz Kriegsrecht und Grenzblockaden voll erfüllt. Außerdem wurde beschlossen, das Geschäft in der Zentralukraine zu erweitern. Recycling Solutions schloss die Verlagerung seiner Mikrokugel-Recyclingproduktion in die Westukraine ab und wurde zu einem der größten Importeure von granulierter Schlacke in der EU. Intech und PortInvest steigerten ihr Frachtvolumen im Vergleich zu 2022”, fügte Gorochow hinzu.
Im Jahr 2023 eröffnete umgi eine offizielle Repräsentanz in Warschau, Polen. Das Büro ist für die Koordinierung der Auslandsinvestitionen des Unternehmens zuständig und unterstützt die Vermögenswerte von umgi bei der Suche nach Möglichkeiten in der EU.
Wie berichtet, erwirtschaftete die VESCO-Gruppe, in der das Tonabbaugeschäft der Investmentgesellschaft umgi zusammengefasst ist, im Jahr 2023 einen Bruttoumsatz von 75,2 Mio. USD. Für 2024 plant die Vesco-Gruppe eine Verdoppelung ihres Umsatzes. Gleichzeitig arbeitet sie aktiv an der strategischen Geschäftsexpansion in Europa, mit der sie bereits 2019 begonnen hat, denn die wichtigsten Märkte für VESCO-Tone sind Italien, Spanien, die Ukraine, die Türkei und Polen. Im Jahr 2023 begann die Gruppe über VESCO CLAYS SPAIN mit der Gewinnung von Ton aus dem Steinbruch Encarnita in Spanien.
Darüber hinaus wird 2024 der Abbau in Unternehmen der VESCO-Gruppe in der Ukraine aufgenommen. Das geplante Volumen beträgt bis zu 500 Tausend Tonnen, was mehr als sechsmal weniger ist als in der Vorkriegszeit, aber genug, um die Flexibilität des Produktportfolios wiederherzustellen und den Kunden keramische Rohstoffe anzubieten, die auf ihre individuellen Bedürfnisse zugeschnitten sind.
umgi ist eine Investmentgesellschaft, die sich auf die Entwicklung von Unternehmen in den Bereichen Rohstoffe und Verarbeitung konzentriert. Sie wurde 2006 von der SCM Group gegründet. Investitionsschwerpunkte: Bergbau; Nebenprodukt- und Abfallmanagement; Produktion von Industriegütern und Dienstleistungen. Der Gesamtwert der Portfoliounternehmen von UMG wird auf über 500 Mio. USD geschätzt.
Quelle: Interfax-Ukraine
SCM Group’s investment company umgi (formerly UMG Investments) has invested almost $22 mln in the development of the group’s businesses in 2022-2023.
According to Wednesday’s press release, last year umgi continued to implement its strategy of entering European markets by investing in the growth of its assets.
It is specified that umgi’s portfolio of industrial products has expanded due to the opening of a new powdered wire production plant of Inwire Group in Izmit (Turkey), which is one of the largest producers of components for the metallurgical industry in Ukraine. The construction and launch of the facility took two years. The products of the new production facility are oriented to cover the needs of the local market of Turkey and other Middle East countries and will contribute to strengthening the position of the manufacturer in the global market.
The total investment in the project amounted to $2.4 million from 2022. umgi has also strengthened its upstream portfolio by opening new production facilities of VESCO Group in Spain.
“umgi aims to build a portfolio with a market value of $1 billion by applying our expertise in global markets as well as engaging international partners in Ukraine’s recovery. Our investment team is constantly exploring new business opportunities and developing a network of partners in the Ukrainian, EU, Turkish and Indian markets. We aim to strengthen our portfolio with new industrial and healthcare businesses both in Ukraine and abroad, closing one or two agreements per year,” said Andriy Gorokhov, CEO of umgi.
The press release notes that umgi systematically supports the economy of Ukraine The total amount of taxes paid by businesses under the company’s management for 2023 amounted to more than 321 million UAH. Also, to support the AFU, TROs and communities in places where umgi businesses are present, 6 million UAH was allocated and goods and services for 2 million UAH were provided. Special equipment for the construction of fortifications, personal protective equipment, technical means, fuel and other necessary things are transferred to the defenders, assistance is provided in the construction of fortifications, provision of construction materials, etc.
The total umgi losses from the war for 2023, according to internal estimates, amount to about $20 million. In particular, the Chasovoyarsk refractory plant, which is part of VESCO Group, is in an active combat zone.
“Despite the significant losses suffered by our assets due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian business demonstrates resilience and is quickly adapting to new conditions. We see signs of renewal in the processing, construction and logistics industries. Feednova has fully met its budget despite martial law and border blockades. Moreover, a decision has been made to scale the business in Central Ukraine. Recycling Solutions completed the relocation of its microsphere recycling production to Western Ukraine and became one of the largest importers of granulated slag in the EU. Intech and PortInvest increased cargo volumes compared to 2022,” Gorokhov added.
In 2023, umgi opened an official representative office in Warsaw, Poland. The office is responsible for coordinating the company’s foreign investments and facilitates umgi’s assets in finding opportunities in the EU.
As reported, VESCO group, which combines the clay mining business of the investment company umgi, generated $75.2 million in gross revenue in 2023. In 2024, Vesco group plans to double its sales volume. At the same time, it is actively working on strategic business expansion in Europe, which it started working on back in 2019, as the main markets for VESCO clays are Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Turkey and Poland. In 2023, through VESCO CLAYS SPAIN, the group started extracting clay from the Encarnita deposit quarry in Spain.
In addition, in 2024, mining operations will be launched at VESCO Group enterprises in Ukraine. The planned volume is up to 500 thousand tons, which is more than six times less than in the pre-war period, but it is enough to restore the flexibility of the product portfolio and offer customers ceramic raw materials tailored to their individual needs, taking into account the stocks.
umgi is an investment company with a focus on developing businesses in the raw materials and processing sectors. It was founded in 2006 by SCM Group. Investment focus: mining; by-product and waste management; production of industrial goods and services. The total value of UMG portfolio companies is estimated at more than $500 mln.
Source: Interfax-Ukraine
Today, representatives of the Czech company SEFOR Solutions visited the Mobile Rescue Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine to hand over the new pTRACK system.
First, the Czech partners made a presentation of the system, demonstrating its key features and benefits. After the theoretical part, the rescuers were able to see the system in action: the team of emergency workers put on trackers and went on a mock search operation. All those present could watch the tracking system on the screen, evaluating its benefits for the rescue operation.
The pTRACK system offers a number of innovative solutions: tracking the movement of teams, storing the history of the position of objects in a mapping application, prompt decision-making and coordination of search and rescue operations. It provides clear data on search areas and two-way transmission of warning signals between the post and the search team.
Importantly, the system can relay connections between unit leaders and subordinates in difficult terrain conditions, saving all data to a USB flash drive in case of connection loss.
“This system will help us significantly increase the efficiency of our search and rescue operations, as it is designed to operate in any, even the most difficult, working conditions. We are grateful to our Czech friends for their support and such important technical assistance,” said Yuriy Tsykenyuk, First Deputy Head of the MRC of the SES of Ukraine.
Ukraine exported almost 3.8 million tons of sunflower meal in the first nine months of the 2023-2024 maketing year (starts in July), which is 23% more than in the same period last season. As the information and analytical agency APK-Inform reported, this figure was the maximum value for September-May in the last four years.
“The main importer of Ukrainian meal in the current season remains the European Union with a share of 45% (39% in the previous MY). Exports of meal in September-May 2023/24 MY in this direction increased by 41%, while to China decreased by 12%,” – said the analysts.
The experts recalled that the European Union approved a “safeguard duty” on imports of most grains, oilseeds and processed products of Russian and Belarusian origin in the amount of EUR95/ton of imported products to the EU, coming into force on July 1.
“In the oilseeds sector, the markets for meal may be affected the most. The export volumes of these products of Russian origin to the EU have been significant and it will be quite problematic to reorient them to other markets. But, given the geographical proximity to the global world importer – the Asian market, some volumes may be reoriented in this direction, in particular, to China”, – they predict.
They noted that in the new season, competition in the Chinese market is expected to intensify, which may lead to further reduction of Ukrainian sunflower meal in favor of Russian sunflower meal.
At the same time, this situation may have a positive impact on the volume of Ukrainian sunflower meal shipments to the European market. EU countries in the current season increased imports of Ukrainian product by 6%, up to 1.2 million tons (for July-May 2023/24 MY – data of the European Commission), but the volume of imports of Russian product for the same period also increased by one third – up to 775 thousand tons.
The EU “safeguard duty” may also have a good impact on the Ukrainian rapeseed meal market, especially ahead of the start of rapeseed processing. Thus, for this sector, the EU is the key sales market with a share of about 73%, and where the Ukrainian product competes quite seriously with Russian and Belarusian products. In particular, the share of Russian rapeseed meal in the total import of this product by the EU countries is 41% in the current season, Belarusian – almost 32% and only about 21% is Ukrainian meal”, – summarized in ‘APK-Inform’.
