PJSC “Ukrstal Construction” (Kiev) is interested in becoming a participant of infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, the company’s management said during a working meeting with the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Bulgaria Doncho Barbalov within the framework of a visit to this country as part of the Ukrainian business delegation.
According to the press release, Barbalov emphasized that Ukraine is an important economic partner of Bulgaria and that the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Industry attaches great importance to the development of bilateral economic relations, seeking to expand them.
The participants of the meeting discussed the prospects of investment cooperation, industrial clusters and industrial zones in Bulgaria, paid attention to practical aspects of cooperation within the framework of the North-South transport corridor and the possibility of municipal investment programs. At the same time, representatives of Ukrstal demonstrated to the Bulgarian management and representatives of Bulgarian business its production capacities and its own realized projects in metallurgical, energy, oil and gas industries, infrastructure and commercial construction, construction of logistics hubs, told about the achievements and the possibility of further expansion of its own industrial parks on the basis of our plants.
“The leaders of ”Ukrstal Construction“ expressed great interest and willingness to become reliable and experienced partners of construction, energy, industrial and logistics companies in Bulgaria in the creation of transport and logistics corridors, the implementation of infrastructure facilities – bridges, terminals, airports, modernization of energy, the introduction of innovative technologies, in commercial construction,” – stated in a press release.
The Deputy Minister of Economy expressed hope that as a result of the delegation’s visit to Bulgaria concrete projects will be realized, and the Ministry of Economy and Industry will remain available to provide assistance within its competences.
As part of the program of visits on November 12-18, working meetings of the company’s management were also held in the National Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Energy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the municipality and the management of the Port of Burgas.
Investment opportunities, state incentives and presentation of Ukrainian initiatives, creation of industrial parks and hubs were the main topics of meetings with the Agency for Management of Industrial Zones in Bulgaria and with the Bulgarian Investment Agency, the press release said.
PJSC “Ukrstal Construction” (Kiev) is the managing company of a group of plants, including metal construction plants “Ukrstal Dnipro”, “Ukrstal Zhytomyr”, “Ukrstal Zaporizhzhya” and experimental-mechanical plant “Metalist”. The main type of economic activity is production of building metal structures and parts of structures.
According to NDU data for the third quarter of 2025, JSC “Closed non-diversified venture corporate investment fund ‘Rift’ owns 99.6116% of shares of PJSC ”Ukrstal Construction”. The ultimate beneficiary (controller) of the fund is listed as Vitaliy Haiduk.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) last week increased the sale of dollars on the interbank market by $124.5m, or 21.6%, to $700.9m, according to statistics on the regulator’s website. According to the NBU, for the first four days of last week, the average daily negative balance of purchase and sale of foreign currency by legal entities increased to $71.3 million from $58.2 million for the same period a week earlier and totaled $285.3 million.
On the market of foreign exchange transactions of households, the negative balance, on the contrary, decreased to $33.4 million on Saturday-Thursday from $43.4 million the week before last, and all days the sale of non-cash currency exceeded its purchase.
The official hryvnia/dollar exchange rate, which started last week at UAH 41.9782/$1, weakened to UAH 42.0641/$1 in three days, but ended the week at UAH 42.0423/$1.
In the cash market, the dollar exchange rate over the past week changed over the trajectory of the official one, and in general, the dollar rose by about 12 kopecks during the week: buying – to UAH 41.86/$1, and selling – to UAH 42.23/$1.
Analysts of the multi-service FinTech platform KYT Group, which is a major player in the cash FX market, noted a gradual depreciation of the hryvnia, but under full control of the National Bank, which is helped by record international reserves and last week’s receipt of another EUR5.9 bln from the EU.
According to their forecast, short-term (1-2 weeks) the hryvnia will be in the base range of 41.8-42.5 UAH/$1 with likely gravitating towards the upper boundary of the forecast.
“Medium-term (2-3 months) – 42.0-42.9 UAH/$1. Now there is every reason to strengthen the dollar in the international market, where positive sentiment reigns because of the understandable easing policy from the Fed. But for Ukraine the main role will be played by such factors as the situation in the energy sector, further possible advances of the RF Armed Forces troops on the territory of the country and stability of financial aid receipts from partners”, – KYT Group believes.
Long-term (6+ months), the company maintains the forecast scenario of hryvnia devaluation. Subject to timely and rhythmic receipt of international aid, they cite as a benchmark range of 43.40-44.60 UAH/$1 until mid-2026, taking into account the current context of the military and political situation in Ukraine.
Source: https://bank.gov.ua/ua/markets
https://interfax.com.ua/news/projects/1120665.html
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has fined two manufacturers of dietary supplements for distributing misleading information about the properties of dietary supplements for a total of UAH 11.1 million.
According to the AMCU, VORVARTS PHARMA LLC was fined for distributing information on packaging and marketplaces about the properties of the dietary supplement ZAFAKOL IQ to improve intestinal function, which did not correspond to reality.
In turn, LLC “ERSEL PHARMA UKRAINE” distributed information about the properties of the dietary supplement “A-KETON” to eliminate the causes of acetone in children.
At the same time, AMCU notes that both companies provided publications on the properties of individual components of dietary supplements and/or articles on the use of dietary supplements in complex therapy with other drugs.
However, according to the position of the Ministry of Health, “such articles are not a sufficient basis for confirming the properties of dietary supplements, publications on the properties of individual components of dietary supplements do not confirm their presence in a dietary supplement as a whole.”
“The AMCU found that the information disseminated regarding the dietary supplements ZAFAKOL IQ and A-KETON may affect consumers’ intentions to purchase such products. At the same time, the information disseminated regarding these products may be perceived as properties that are inherent to a medicinal product,” AMCU noted.
AMCU did not specify the amount of the fine imposed on each of the companies.
The first nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan will be named “Balkhash”, the press service of the republic’s atomic energy agency reported.
“According to the results of the final meeting of the Competition Commission, the name ”Balkash” nuclear power plant was recognized as the winner, which received the largest number of proposals from citizens. The chosen name also corresponds to the international practice of naming nuclear power plants by geographical feature,” the report on the results of the nationwide contest for the best name of the nuclear power plant reads.
The contest committee also determined the name in Russian and English: “Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant” and Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant.
The first NPP, which will be located near Lake Balkhash, will be built by Rosatom. The Russian company has signed a roadmap with Kazakhstan for the construction of two VVER-1200 nuclear power units. The construction of the plant will take approximately 11 years and may be completed in 2035-2036. The issue of attracting state export financing at the expense of the Russian Federation is being studied for the construction of the plant.
Research work near the village of Ulken on Balkhash started on August 8. Here, as part of preliminary surveys, Rosatom’s specialists will explore at least three sites in Zhambyl district, for which they will drill 50 wells with depths ranging from 30 to 120 meters. Based on the hydrogeological features of the site, seismic stability parameters and others, a decision will be made on the exact location of the NPP.
The government said that the second and third nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan could be built by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
Ukrnafta, Ukraine’s largest network of filling stations, has started selling winter diesel fuel, which will ensure reliable engine operation at low temperatures, Ukrnafta said in a press release on Monday.
“Ukrnafta winter diesel has stable performance properties and remains effective even at temperatures as low as -21°C,” the company noted.
It recalled that the use of winter diesel allows drivers to start the engine smoothly in freezing weather and maintain optimal parameters of the car’s operation throughout the cold period.
“Preparing for the winter season is traditionally one of the priorities for our company. We strive to provide our customers with confidence in their vehicles in any weather“, – noted in ”Ukrnafta”.
JSC “Ukrnafta” – the largest oil company in Ukraine, is the operator of the largest national network of filling stations – Ukrnafta. In 2024, the company entered into the management of Glusco assets. In 2025 finalized a deal with Shell Overseas Investments BV to purchase the Shell network in Ukraine. The company operates a total of 663 filling stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and update the format of its network of filling stations. Since February 2023, the company has been issuing its own fuel coupons and NAFTACard, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
Ukrnafta’s largest shareholder is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a 50%+1 share stake. In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the AFU decided to transfer to the state a share of the corporate rights of the company owned by private owners, which is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
The EU Council announced on Saturday that it has agreed with the European Parliament on a €192.8 billion EU budget for 2026.
“Today’s agreement demonstrates that Europe is able to act even in challenging times. The EU budget for 2026 will allow us to realize our common priorities: security, competitiveness and border management – while ensuring that we can respond quickly and effectively to unforeseen needs and crises,” said Nicolai Wammen, Minister of Finance of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Council’s chief negotiator on the 2026 budget.
The total EU budget commitment for 2026 is €192.8 billion and total disbursements €190.1 billion. “Commitments are legally enforceable promises to spend money on activities whose implementation is spread over several financial years. Payments cover expenditure arising from commitments made under the EU budget in the current and previous financial years,” the council explains in a published communiqué.
This is the sixth annual budget of the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027. The 2026 budget is complemented by measures to support post COVID-19 recovery under the special NextGenerationEU program, the document notes.
Disbursements for EU defense and security in 2026 are planned at €2.25 billion. For migration and border management – 3.88 billion euros. For neighborhood policy and foreign policy – 16.56 billion euros. For the common market, innovation and digitalization – 23.33 billion euros.
Now the EU Council and the European Parliament must formally approve the agreement reached. The EU Council is expected to approve it on November 24. A qualified majority vote is required to pass the budget, according to the communiqué.
