KYIV. March 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The major pipe enterprises of Ukraine in January and February 2017 increased production of pipes by 46.6% compared to the same period last year, to 161,000 tonnes, including in February they manufactured 84,500 tonnes.
The Ukrtruboprom association told Interfax-Ukraine its enterprises in January and February 2017 increased pipe production by 44.3%, to 107,100 tonnes, in February making 55,300 tonnes.
Khartsyzsk Pipe Plant (Donetsk region), located in the ATO zone, in January and February 2017 made 3,400 tonnes of pipes, whereas in January and February of 2016 it made 1,700 tonnes.
Pipe production at Interpipe Nyzhniodniprovsky Pipe Rolling Plant in the period rose by 54.1% compared to 2016, to 35,300 tonnes (17,600 tonnes in February), Interpipe Novomoskovsk Pipe Plant decreased output by 7.8%, to 14,100 tonnes (9,200 tonnes in February), while Interpipe Niko Tube raised production by 63.6%, to 46,800 tonnes (21,700 tonnes in February).
Dnipropetrovsk Pipe increased pipe production by 66.7%, to 3,500 tonnes, making 2,000 tonnes in February. Production grew by 3.3% at Centravis, to 3,100 tonnes of stainless pipes (1,600 tonnes in February).
Trubostal produced 400 tonnes (200 tonnes in February) and Nikopol Steel Pipe Plant YUTIST produced 500 tonnes (all were made in February, while in January the plant was idle).
Mariupol Illich steel works, which is not a member of the association, saw a 72.4% rise in pipe production in January and February 2017, to 21,200 tonnes (12,600 tonnes in February) and production at Kominmet grew by 40%, to 32,600 tonnes (16,600 tonnes).
Luhansk Pipe Rolling Plant, created on the basis of Luhansk Pipe Plant, remained idle in January and February 2017.
AG Stal LLC was also idle in January and February 2017.
KYIV. March 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine must focus on exports of not commodities, which share today is 70%, but innovative and science driven products, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv has said during the presentation of the Expert Strategy of Ukraine.
“The document must be practical and be the flexible and adjustable operations program. The road map for the strategic development of exports would be the basis of the operations plan. We must be not the raw material intensive leader, but the leader of the innovative, investment and science driven block,” he said.
He recalled that in 2016, GDP grew by 2.3%, and in this context Ukraine’s exports strategy must provide for the further economic growth.
According to the published document, the promising sectors are the following: food industry, IT, technical servicing and repair of aircraft, production of spare parts for aerospace and aviation industries, engineering, creative services and tourism.
KYIV. March 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Antonov Airlines (Kyiv), part of state enterprise Antonov, one of the leading global operators of heavy An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft with a cargo carrying capacity of 150 tonnes, in 2016 increased cargo transportation by 22.8% compared to 2015, to 21,463 tonnes, the Antonov press service has told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to the press service, the number of flights carried out by the company in 2016 increased by 25.1%, to 448 flights, the time of flights in 2016 amounted to more than 4,600 hours.
The Antonov Airlines fleet now has seven An-124-100 Ruslan planes with a cargo capacity of 150 tonnes, an An-225 Mriya super transport aircraft with a capacity of 250 tonnes, a multi-purpose An-74T (10 tonnes) aircraft, An-22 Antei (60 tonnes), and An-26 (5.5 tonnes) aircraft.
Since 2006, Antonov Airlines has been implementing a contract on strategic transportation within the NATO SALIS (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution) program in the interests of 18 alliance countries and the EU. In December 2014 the contract with Russia’s airline Volga-Dnepr was extended until the end of 2016. In autumn 2016 the Antonov Airlines management announced the plan to continue cooperation with NATO on the SALIS program after the completion of a joint contract with the Russian company. Within the framework of the new format of partnership, Leipzig remains the basic site of Ukrainian Ruslan aircraft.
KYIV. March 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2017 plans to invest EUR 150-200 million in Ukrainian agriculture, the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine has reported.
“In 2017, we hope to reach at least EUR 150-200 million. We expect the resolution of economic activity and as a result the increase in companies’ need in working capital and investment,” the ministry said, citing EBRD Country Director in Ukraine Sevki Acuner.
He said that EBRD intends to support diversification of agribusiness in Ukraine and reaching the new level of development.
Along with crediting, other aspects of EBRD support is participation in a dialog on the regulation of the agricultural sector, provision of technical assistance and a platform for exchange of opinions on the functioning of meat industry and the dairy sector.
EBRD also backs the creation and strengthening of agricultural cooperatives and self-government institutions in various segments of the sector.
The bank has been strengthening financial support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the past eight or nine months, Acuner said. The EBRD is trying to help to increase management efficiency and introduce new technologies in agribusiness, he said.
As reported, Acuner hopes that the bank’s investment into the implementation of projects in Ukraine in 2017 would expand to EUR 1 billion.
KYIV. March 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – PJSC Borschahivsky chemical pharmaceutical plant plans by the end of 2018 to invest UAH 317 million in modernization of production, according to a company press release, with reference to its commercial director Yevhen Sova.
“Despite the difficult economic situation in the country, we continue implementing our plans and investing in our development. We plan by the end of 2018 to invest UAH 317 million in modernization of production,” he said.
In addition, the press release says Credit-Rating agency affirmed the long-term credit rating of the plant.
As reported, in 2016 the plant doubled net profit from 2015, to UAH 118.702 million. In 2015 its net profit increased by 35%, to UAH 59.3 million.
In 2016 the plant entered the top ten in terms of pharmacy sales: it occupied 4.2% of the market.
In March 2015, Kyiv sold its 30% stake in Borschahivsky chemical pharmaceutical plant to Darnytsia pharmaceutical firm (Kyiv) for UAH 171.844 million.
