The Ministry of Finance and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have discussed the possibility of providing a subordinated loan to Oschadbank with option to convert the loan into equity shares.
This was reported in a press release of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday following the meeting of Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Deputy Minister Oleksandr Kava with EBRD Managing Director, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (EEC) Matteo Patrone.
“During the meeting, the issue of providing Oschadbank with EBRD long-term financing in the form of a subordinated loan with option to convert the loan into equity shares was raised. The parties continue to work actively to implement the sale of a stake in Oschadbank. The key issues remain the completion of the preparation procedures and the accession of Oschadbank to the households deposit guarantee system,” the ministry said.
The parties also discussed potential joint projects with the EBRD for 2022, namely the reconstruction of the Lower Dniester irrigation system.
Earlier, the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food announced the readiness of the EBRD to invest EUR 90 million for the reconstruction of the main water pumping station of the Lower Dniester irrigation system (Odesa region).
As reported, in March 2021, Ukrgasbank received a loan of EUR 30 million from IFC with option to convert the loan into equity shares. The next step for the privatization of the bank is to find a financial adviser for the bank.
The growth in the volume of bilateral trade between Ukraine and the UK thanks to the free trade agreement has increased by 60% over two years, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said during a briefing with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for media representatives.
The President noted that the Agreement on Political Cooperation, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership signed the year before last is working successfully, which is proved by a 60% increase in bilateral trade between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
He also added that the parties agreed to start negotiations on further trade liberalization.
The portfolio of agricultural equipment provided by lessors to Ukrainian farmers increased by 22.2% in 2021, to 5,870 units, in particular, 2,050 tractors (35% of the total number of equipment), 645 combines (11%), 587 tillage machines (10%) and 530 seeders and harvesters (10%) were leased, according to the website of the Ukrainian Union of Lessors (UUL).
“The total number of agricultural machinery financed by organized market leasing companies amounted to 5,870 units as of the end of 2021. With this result, the lessors’ portfolio of agricultural machinery increased by 22.2% over the year, which indicates the industry’s ability to meet the growing demand of a domestic agricultural producer for the renewal and modernization of agricultural machinery,” the union said in a statement.
At the same time, UUL member companies in 2021 accounted for 2,410 units of agricultural machinery leased (41% of the total portfolio), which is 10.5% more than in 2020.
Among the union’s members, OTP Leasing concluded the most transactions for leasing agricultural machinery last year – 1,250 units (52% of the total), Kredobank – 360 units (15%), Alfa-Leasing – 260 units (11%), and ULF Finance – 168 units (7%).
The most intensive deals on leasing agricultural machinery were carried out in the second and third quarters of 2021 – 684 units and 679 units, respectively, due to the seasonality of the agricultural business.
