In January-September of this year, Ukraine increased its ferroalloy exports by 31% in physical terms compared to the same period last year, to 77,514 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), in monetary terms, ferroalloy exports increased by 22.5% to $86.926 million.
The main exports were to Poland (29.02% of shipments in monetary terms), Algeria (21.98%), and Turkey (20.37%).
In addition, in the first nine months of 2025, Ukraine imported 30,341 thousand tons of this product, a decrease of 57.7% compared to the same period in 2024. In monetary terms, imports fell by 53% to $56.990 million. Imports were mainly from Norway (20.88%), Kazakhstan (15.72%), and France (10.58%).
As reported, the Pokrovsky Mining and Processing Plant (PGZK, formerly Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant) and the Marganetsky Mining and Processing Plant (MGZK, both in Dnipropetrovsk region), which are part of the Privat Group, stopped mining and processing raw manganese ore in late October-early November 2023, while NZF and ZZF stopped smelting ferroalloys. In the summer of 2024, ferroalloy plants resumed production at a minimum level.
PGZK and MGZK did not produce any products in 2024, while in 2023, PGZK produced 160.31 thousand tons of manganese concentrate, and MGZK was idle.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced its exports of ferroalloys in physical terms by 4.45 times compared to 2023, to 77,316 tons from 344,173 tons. and in monetary terms, it decreased by 3.4 times, to $88.631 million from $297.595 million. At the same time, the main exports were to Poland (27.40% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (21.53%), and Italy (19.82%).
In addition, last year Ukraine imported 82,259 thousand tons of this product compared to 14,203 thousand tons in 2023 (a 5.8-fold increase). In monetary terms, imports increased 3.3 times, from $42.927 million to $140.752 million. Imports were mainly from Poland (32.71%), Norway (19.55%), and Kazakhstan (13.9%).
The business of ZZF, NZF, Stakhanov ZF (located at NKT), Pokrovsky and Marganetsky GZK was organized by PrivatBank prior to the nationalization of the financial institution. The Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant is controlled by the EastOne group, created in the fall of 2007 as a result of the restructuring of the Interpipe group, as well as the Privat group.
Prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, together with law enforcement agencies, have exposed two large-scale drug networks that operated throughout the country, involving young people in this business and lifestyle; one of them sold up to 10 tons of the new dangerous drug “kratom” via the Internet and delivery services, according to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
“The first one involved 12 members of a criminal organization who set up the production and sale of drugs via Telegram and a ‘stash’ system. The organizers, packers, logisticians, and salespeople worked as a ‘business’. During the searches, finished drugs, precursors, and laboratory equipment were seized,“ Kravchenko said in a statement on Telegram on Saturday.
Regarding the second network, the prosecutor general said the following: 29 people, including five minors, sold a new dangerous drug called ”kratom.” Its effect is 10 times stronger than morphine. Through the internet and delivery services, they sold up to 10 tons of this substance for more than 60 million hryvnia.
“The main target is young people. These are not just numbers, these are ruined lives, children drawn into crime, and addiction that begins with curiosity. (…) We will respond harshly to all cases of drug production and distribution. And I personally am ready to fight for children together with their parents. Because as long as there is at least one child who can be saved from drugs, we have no right to stop,” Kravchenko emphasized.
McDonald’s Ukraine Ltd., which operates the McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain in Ukraine, opened a new restaurant on October 10 in the village of Lypyny (62 Okruzhna Street), at the entrance to the city of Lutsk, according to the company’s press service.
This restaurant is the 115th in the chain and the seventh to be implemented in partnership with AZK. The opening is part of the chain’s strategy to develop along highways. The new restaurant is located on the Lutsk bypass and at the entrance to the city from Rivne. It was implemented in partnership with WOG, which is under construction and will soon open nearby.
The restaurant, with an area of over 470 square meters, has 115 seats in the hall and another 134 on the terrace. McDonald’s is the third restaurant in the chain in the Volyn region, creating 60 jobs.
The first McDonald’s restaurant in Ukraine opened on May 24, 1997, in Kyiv. There are currently 114 restaurants operating in Ukraine, with another 15 restaurants closed due to safety requirements.
According to Opendatabot, McDonald’s in Ukraine increased its revenue by 30% to UAH 16.8 billion in 2024, and its net profit by 23.2% to UAH 1.6 billion.
The owner of McDonald’s Ukraine Ltd. is listed as MCD Europe Limited (100%, London, United Kingdom).
US President Donald Trump has announced that from November 1, 2025, additional 100% tariffs will come into effect on Chinese imports, which will be in addition to existing tariffs.
According to him, this decision was made in response to China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth metals and other critical materials.
According to a quick analysis by the Experts Club think tank, the possible consequences for the global economy could be as follows:
1) China is likely to respond with countermeasures: the introduction of tariffs, export restrictions, or lawsuits (including through the WTO).
2) The escalation of the trade conflict could trigger a chain reaction — countries dependent on China or the US may begin to “pull” supply chains.
3) The rise in the price of Chinese components will hit electronics, automotive, and equipment manufacturing, leading to higher prices for end products.
4) Companies will be forced to look for alternative suppliers, probably in Asia (Vietnam, India) or Latin America, which will increase logistics costs.
5) Increased instability could exacerbate capital flight to safe havens — the dollar, gold — and devalue the currencies of countries that trade actively with China.
6) Shares of technology companies that depend on Chinese components will come under pressure.
Many emerging markets depend on Chinese imports. Tariff increases will lead to inflationary pressure and a deterioration in the trade balance. Geopolitical alliances may also strengthen: countries may choose between the US and China, adjusting their foreign economic policies.
There may be leaks and problems in the implementation of measures. Administrative and customs burdens may increase the cost of complying with rules of origin, and it is clear that some companies will try to circumvent tariffs through “transit” countries.
Indonesia’s Golden Visa program, launched in July 2024, has already attracted nearly $2.9 billion in investments and issued more than 1,000 permits, according to official statistics.
As of September 23, 2025, 1,012 golden visas had been issued, bringing in capital of 48 trillion Indonesian rupiah (approximately $2.9 billion).
Of these investments, 46.5 trillion rupiah (about 96%) came from foreign companies, with the rest coming from private investors.
As part of its revenue, the government also received 12.96 billion rupiah in non-tax state revenue.
The visa is valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the size of the investment. For private investors, there are thresholds: $350,000 for 5 years and $700,000 for 10 years (in bonds, stocks, deposits, etc.).
For corporate investors, the requirements are higher: $25 million in investments for 5 years and $50 million for 10 years.
The program provides benefits and simplifications: priority at airports, simplified immigration procedures, and legal certainty for investors.
Insurance premiums accrued under international Green Card insurance agreements concluded by member companies of the Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine (MTIBU) decreased by 3.08% in January-September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, to UAH 4.139 billion. According to the MTIBU website, the number of Green Card contracts concluded during this period decreased by 4.51% to 1.081 million.
At the same time, the amount of compensation paid on claims increased by 4.43% to EUR 38.987 million, while the number of claims paid decreased by 4.01% to 11,300.
The MTIBU is the only association of insurers providing compulsory civil liability insurance for owners of land vehicles for damage caused to third parties.
The Green Card is a system of insurance protection for victims of road traffic accidents, regardless of their country of residence and the country of registration of the vehicle. It is valid in 45 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
According to the decision adopted by the General Assembly of the Council of the International Motor Insurance System “Green Card” in Luxembourg in May 2004, Ukraine has been a full member of this system since January 1, 2005.
