In 2024, Ukraine increased its imports of nickel and nickel products by 73.7% compared to 2023, to $26.730 million. In December, imports amounted to $3.058 million. Nickel exports amounted to $602 thousand for the year, and $17 thousand in December.
Nickel is used to make stainless steel and for nickel plating. Nickel is also used in the production of batteries, powder metallurgy and chemicals.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians for 18 months.
“The extension allows eligible Ukrainian citizens who arrived before August 16, 2023 to retain their TPS status and employment authorization after verification,” the Department said in a statement.
We are talking about 103,700 Ukrainians. As noted, not all re-registered persons can get a new document on work authorization before the expiration of the previous one, so automatically extended for 12 months the validity of the permit.
“The extension of temporary refugee status is due to the ongoing armed conflict and emergency and temporary conditions in Ukraine, which do not allow citizens of Ukraine who are eligible to return safely,” – explained there.
In addition, a similar decision was made for 600 thousand Venezuelans, 232 thousand immigrants from El Salvador and about 1900 Sudanese.
In 2024, Spain’s labor market was dynamic, but it still faced the high unemployment rate that has characterized this country in recent decades. The unemployment rate was 12.3%, slightly lower than the 13.1% (2023 data). However, the country continues to struggle with regional disparities in employment and a shortage of skilled workers in certain sectors.
Spain is one of the most attractive EU countries for labor migrants due to its climate, quality of life, and economic opportunities. In 2024, the number of foreign workers exceeded 2.7 million, accounting for almost 15% of the country’s total labor force.
Here are the key indicators of the Spanish labor market at the end of 2024.
The role of migrants in the Spanishlabor market
Foreign workers play an important role in the Spanish economy, especially in sectors where there is a shortage of local labor. According to the Spanish Ministry of Labor, in 2024, the share of migrants accounted for more than 14% of the total number of employees, this percentage continues to grow and the contribution of migrants covers a wide range of sectors.
Main groups of migrants:
Latin Americans and North Africans: More often work in low-skilled or seasonal jobs. EU and Ukrainian citizens: hold both skilled and unskilled positions. Asia: focused on highly skilled professions and owning small businesses.
In 2025, experts predict an increase in migration from Latin America and possibly from Ukraine due to simplified employment rules. In addition, employment in sectors related to green energy, IT, and tourism will continue to grow. Additional incentives to attract highly qualified specialists will attract engineers and doctors to Spain.
In 2024, the Spanish labor market continues to recover, but faces challenges in the form of high unemployment and staff shortages in key sectors. Migrants play an important role in supporting the country’s economy, especially in such sectors as agriculture, construction and services.
Spain remains an attractive destination for foreign workers, and their importance to the economy will only increase in the coming years.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analiz-rynku-pratsi-ispanii-u-2024-rotsi-vid-relocation/
Impact of electricity deficit on real GDP vs no deficit, % (forecast up to 2024)
JSCB Lviv and Aqua Agro LLC (Vinnytsia) have announced the launch of a partnership program aimed at improving conditions for farmers when buying seeds, plant protection products and fertilizers, the bank’s press service reports.
According to the report, farmers can purchase products of Aqua Agro LLC by borrowing funds from Lviv JSCB at a rate of 0.01% per annum in UAH for a period of 3 months. The program’s advantages include no collateral, no issuance fee and no insurance for loans of up to UAH 5 million; a simplified process of assessing the financial condition of an agricultural enterprise and personal support from a bank manager.
Aqua Agro LLC was registered in 2021 in Vinnytsia. It is a distributor of plant protection products, seeds and fertilizers, including biological ones.
JSCB Lviv was established in 1990. In 2007, it became a fully foreign-owned bank. In January 2019, 51% of the bank’s shares were bought by the Swiss responsAbility Fund, and in 2022, the Nordic Environmental Finance Corporation Nefco bought 13.94% of the bank’s shares. According to the bank’s website, it serves more than 30 thousand customers a year and ranks fifth in terms of the number of branches in Western Ukraine.
The “Operator of the gas transport system of Ukraine” announced a tender for compulsory civil liability insurance of owners of motor vehicles (OSAGO) on January 10, according to the electronic state procurement system Prozorro.
The expected cost is UAH 9.503 million. The deadline for submission of documents is January 21.
