Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal instructed to work out ways to enhance tourism between Ukraine and Turkey.
“Ukrainians are on the list of numerous tourists in Turkey, and the geography of their rest is constantly expanding. Therefore, we must consider the possibility of expanding communication, including organizing additional flights on popular routes at weekends, as well as opening communication with new cities,” the governmental press service said, citing Shmyhal.
The prime minister also said that favorable conditions should be developed to attract tourists from Turkey to Ukraine.
“In addition to large cities, it is worth considering the possibility of developing directions to sanatorium resorts that will be interesting for traveling with the whole family,” he said.
For his part, Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Andrii Sybiha said the Ukrainian cities of Kamianets-Podilsky and Khotyn may be interesting for tourists from Turkey.
The meeting participants also discussed the possibility of mutual recognition between Ukraine and Turkey of future health certificates that are being developed in the European Union, which will help significantly increase the flow of tourists between states during a pandemic.
“Following the meeting, Denys Shmyhal instructed the relevant departments to study the issue of the possibility of increasing regular and charter flights between Ukraine and Turkey and consider ways to simplify the system of visiting Ukraine by vaccinated Turkish citizens,” the ministry said.
Valki-Ilmenite and Mezhdurechensk Mining and Concentration Complexes, part of the titanium business of Group DF, in January-March this year, according to preliminary data, reduced the production of ilmenite concentrate (titanium dioxide concentrate) by 11.9% in compared to the same period last year, to 31,000 tonnes from 35,200 tonnes.
According to the group’s press release on Monday, Group DF analysts expect a recovery in demand for titanium products in global markets only from mid-2022, so complexes will increase production according to demand.
Chairman of the boards of Valki-Ilmenite LLC and Mezhdurechensk LLC Serhiy Kosenko, who is cited by the press service, said that the production plans are fully fulfilled and all deliveries of products are carried out in accordance with the concluded contracts.
“The reduction in production was due to a change in the market situation – a global decrease in demand for titanium products. This was not a reason to curtail the large-scale investment program launched at the plants. In 2021, the shareholder has already invested more than UAH 31 million in two mining and processing complexes. We continue the planned renewal of fixed assets: new mining and transport equipment is being purchased, modernization, repairs and renewals of old assets are being carried out. Our strategy is aimed at increasing production efficiency, improving cost indicators and increasing the margin of the business as a whole,” the press service said, citing Kosenko.
Kosenko noted that analysts of the company expect a recovery in demand for titanium products at pre-crisis levels only from mid-2022.
“This is an optimistic scenario. Now, when the global market is undergoing a significant shrinkage, our task is to prepare for future growth. Therefore, we are actively updating our equipment and began conducting mining preparatory work to move to new production areas,” the top manager said.
The press release also said that as part of Group DF’s titanium business development strategy, the shareholder continues to invest in the construction of two more new plants: Stremyhorod (Zhytomyr region) and Motronivsky (Dnipropetrovsk region) Mining and Concentration Complexes.
About $150 million have already been invested in the Motronivsky plant project. The planned design capacity of the enterprise is estimated at 120,000 tonnes of ilmenite concentrate, 14,000 tonnes of zirconium and 20,000 tonnes of rutile concentrate.
Investments in the Stremyhorod plant project exceeded UAH 100 million. At the moment, design and survey work is being carried out. After the implementation of the first phase, the design capacity of the plant will be about 500,000 tonnes annually of ilmenite concentrate and 150,000-200,000 tonnes annually of apatite concentrate.
Group DF combines the assets of Dmytro Firtash. The core areas of the group are fertilizer and titanium businesses, gas distribution and banking.
STRUCTURE OF IMPORT OF SERVICES FOR 2020 (GRAPHICALLY)
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 23/04/21
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of April 23
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
Ukraine has received 367,200 doses of the AstraZeneca-SKBio coronavirus vaccine made in South Korea and delivered by the UNICEF and the WHO within the COVAX facility’s framework.
This batch will be used for vaccinating priority groups and people aged 65 and up, Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister, chief public health official Viktor Liashko told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to the UNICEF press release, Ukraine will receive vaccines for the inoculation of 8 million residents by the end of 2021 via the COVAX facility.
The UNICEF noted that all vaccines supplied via the COVAX facility complied with the WHO safety and efficacy criteria.
“Importantly, against the backdrop of fierce competition and struggle for access to vaccines in the world, COVAX has been confirming in practice the fulfillment of tasks for which this global partnership has been created – to ensure fair opportunities for all,” the press release quoted Liashko as saying.
As reported earlier, the UNICEF delivered 117,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Ukraine last week via the COVAX facility.
