Switzerland plans to allocate 1.5 billion francs for the restoration of Ukraine for the period from 2025 to 2028 as part of its international cooperation strategy, said Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation.
“Switzerland is placing great emphasis on the recovery of Ukraine. The principles laid down at the Lugano conference serve as a political compass for recovery. Switzerland has planned 1.5 billion francs in support of Ukraine for the period from 2025 to 2028 as part of its international cooperation strategy,” Amherd said at a press conference with the President of Ukraine in Switzerland on Monday.
She also noted that she had discussed with Zelenskyy the issue of humanitarian demining in Ukraine and food security related to the restriction of grain and food exports through the Black Sea due to Russian aggression.
“If such a large exporting country as Ukraine harvests less crops and food, it will have major negative consequences. In this regard, we discussed the UN’s efforts to facilitate the unimpeded export of food and fertilizers from Ukraine through the Black Sea. Russia’s decision not to continue the grain initiative poses a threat to food security around the world,” Amherd said.
For his part, the President of Ukraine, answering the question of what facilities the Swiss funds will be used to restore, said that Ukraine needs to strengthen its energy system and build bomb shelters.
“You know that many representatives of the Swiss government have been to Ukraine many times. They have seen that thousands of Ukrainian schools, Ukrainian children are under constant risk of missile attacks, ballistic missiles, and Iranian drones. That’s why the issue of bomb shelters and safety for children is very important,” he said.
He also reminded that “Ukraine has experienced several blackouts, and it was very difficult, but this winter we are stronger, and this must be strengthened.”
“There should be a decentralized energy system, and it should be safe. As well as water supply,” the President summarized.
Global economic growth will slow down in 2024, according to more than half (56%) of chief economists surveyed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
The remaining respondents expect global GDP growth to remain at the level of 2023 or accelerate.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the global economy will grow by 2.9% in 2024 after growing by 3% in 2023.
Economists are most pessimistic about Europe – three-quarters of respondents (77%) believe that growth in the region will be weak or very weak. Meanwhile, 93% of respondents expect moderate or strong growth in South Asia, and 86% in East Asia.
The US GDP growth rate will range from moderate to strong, according to 56% of the surveyed chief economists. Back in September, the percentage was 78%. At the same time, only 13% expect high inflation in the United States and Europe.
The WEF organizers interviewed 30 chief economists from banks, consulting firms, international organizations and major companies, including Microsoft and Google.
“The global economy will be tested again this year,” said WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi. – “Global inflation is easing, but economic growth is stalling, financial conditions remain tight, tensions are rising, and inequality is growing, underscoring the urgent need for international cooperation to create the conditions for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
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Number of vacancies as of 01.11.2023 (thousand units) according to data of state employment center
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
Exports of goods from Ukraine in 2023 fell by 18.5% year-on-year – from $44.2 billion to $36 billion, while imports increased by 14.4% – from $55.5 billion to $63.5 billion, the State Customs Service said on Friday.
As a result, according to its data, Ukraine’s foreign trade turnover for 2023 decreased by only 0.3% to $99.4 billion.
It is specified that taxable imports amounted to $52.6 billion, or 83% of the total volume of imported goods. It is noted that the tax burden per 1 kg of taxable imports in 2023 increased by 38% to $0.49/kg.
According to the released data, the most imported goods to Ukraine were China – in the amount of $10.4 billion, Poland – $6.6 billion and Germany – $4.9 billion, while the most exported were Poland – $4.7 billion, Romania – $3.7 billion, as well as China – $2.4 billion.
In the total volume of imported goods in 2023, 65% were machinery, equipment and transport – $19.8 billion (during customs clearance of such goods, UAH 141.7 billion or 31% of customs payments were paid to the budget), chemical products – $11 billion (UAH 74.8 billion or 16% of customs payments were paid to the budget) and fuel and energy products – $10.3 billion (UAH 103.4 billion or 23% of customs payments).
The top 3 exports from Ukraine in 2023 were food products – $21.8 billion, metals and metal products – $3.9 billion, as well as machinery, equipment and transport – $2.9 billion
The State Customs Service specified that 559.2 million UAH was paid to the budget during customs clearance of exports of goods for which the export duty was established.
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On January 13, JSC Kyivgas announced its intention to conclude a contract with IC VUSO for motor insurance under CMTPL, as reported in the system of electronic public procurement Prozorro.
The offer of IC “VUSO” was in the amount of UAH 101,364 thousand against the expected cost of UAH 483,3 thousand.
IC “European Insurance Alliance” with the offer of UAH 106,197 thousand, “Oranta” – UAH 195,5 thousand, “Guardian” – UAH 223,6 thousand, “Knyazha VIG” – UAH 289,3 thousand also took part in the tender.
IC “VUSO” was founded in 2001. The company owns 50 licenses: 34 for voluntary and 16 for compulsory types of insurance. It is represented in all regions of Ukraine. It is a member of ITSBU and UFS, a participant of the agreement on direct settlement of losses and a member of the Nuclear Insurance Pool.
The negative balance of Ukraine’s foreign trade in goods in January-November 2023 increased 2.8 times compared to the same period of 2022 – to $24.351 billion from $8.570 billion, the State Statistics Service (Gosstat) said on Monday.
According to its data, exports of goods from the country during the period decreased by 18.9% compared to January-November 2022 – to $32.978 billion, while imports increased by 16.5% – to $57.329 billion.
The State Statistics Committee specified that in November-2023 compared to October-2023, seasonally adjusted exports increased by 3.1% to $2.583 billion, while imports decreased by 9.5% to $4.749 billion.
The seasonally adjusted foreign trade balance in November-2023, as in the previous month, was negative at $2.166 billion compared to $2.741 billion before.
The export-import coverage ratio in January-November 2023 was 0.58 (0.83 in January-November 2022).
State Statistics specified that foreign trade operations were conducted with partners from 228 countries.
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