One of the largest grain market operators in Ukraine, Nibulon JV LLC (Mykolaiv), is launching a large-scale modernization of its elevator business, which will include automation, unification of services and mechanisms to ensure quality standards, the grain trader’s press service reported on Facebook.
“Additionally, the capacities of Khmilnyk, Vradiyevsky, Kolosivsky elevator and Transshipment Terminal branches will be significantly expanded,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the grain trader, the second stage of the elevator will be built at the Khmilnyk branch (Vinnytsia region), where the total investment will amount to $3.9 million, and will be equipped with four new tanks and transportation equipment. In addition, two STRAHL grain dryers will be installed to increase the drying capacity to 2200 tons per day (from scratch) to attract agricultural producers to cooperate. Previously, this branch served the needs of Nibulon’s own agricultural production exclusively.
Investments in the modernization of Vradiyivskyi (Mykolaiv region) will amount to $800,000. The company will double its capacity and change the scheme of acceptance and shipment, which will allow it to work with several crops at the same time and reduce waiting time for the grain trader’s partners.
“Kolosivskyi elevator (Mykolaiv region) will also get a second wind, with the company allocating $265 thousand for the reconstruction of the first stage. The focus is to double the productivity of grain receiving and shipping,” the agricultural holding said.
In addition, the transshipment terminal in Mykolaiv will receive $720 thousand in investments to build a new gallery that will allow it to receive cargo from water transport and transfer it to rail transport and then to the Bessarabian branch. With Mykolaiv port hub blocked, this will help reduce logistics costs on the way to Izmail ports.
“We are planning to automate all elevators and equip them with sensors that will record the service life of the equipment and automatically transfer this data to a single control center. As a result, we expect to increase the efficiency of the elevator business through optimization and automation, reduce the cost of services through the rational use of resources and increase salaries for the branch teams,” Nibulon summarized.
Nibulon JV LLC was established in 1991. Prior to the Russian military invasion, the grain trader had 27 transshipment terminals and crop reception complexes, a one-time storage capacity of 2.25 million tons of agricultural products, a fleet of 83 vessels (including 23 tugs), and owned the Mykolaiv Shipyard.
“Before the war, Nibulon cultivated 82 thousand hectares of land in 12 regions of Ukraine and exported agricultural products to more than 70 countries. In 2021, the grain trader exported the highest ever 5.64 million tons of agricultural products, reaching record volumes of supplies to foreign markets in August – 0.7 million tons, in the fourth quarter – 1.88 million tons, and in the second half of the year – 3.71 million tons.
Nibulon’s losses due to Russia’s full-scale military invasion in 2022 exceeded $416 million.
Currently, the grain trader is operating at 32% of capacity, has created a special unit to clear agricultural land of mines, and was forced to move its headquarters from Mykolaiv to Kyiv.
The funeral service for Oleksandr Martynenko, the founder and head of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, will take place on May 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv.
A bus transfer will be organized from Mykhailivska Square at 10:30 a.m. for those wishing to pay their last respects.
As a reminder, Oleksandr Martynenko passed away on Tuesday, May 28, at the age of 63.
Born in 1960, Oleksandr Martynenko graduated from the Economics Department of Kharkiv State University and founded and headed the Interfax-Ukraine news agency in 1992. He was also Deputy Head (1991) and Consultant (2001) of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine (1998-2001), Secretary of the Presidential Council on Information Policy (2001-2002), and member of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting (2002-2003).
He is a holder of the Order of Merit III degree (2022), the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree (2020). Since 2010, he has been an Honored Journalist of Ukraine.
“Interfax-Ukraine is an independent Ukrainian news agency that has been operating in the Ukrainian political and economic information market since 1992. It produces more than 40 news products in four languages. The agency’s editorial office is located in Kyiv. “Interfax-Ukraine is not part of any foreign media holdings. The founder and owner of Interfax-Ukraine was Oleksandr Martynenko. As reported at the end of 2023, Interfax-Ukraine news agency became the official representative of the international company Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) in the Ukrainian market. The agency has been a member and official service provider of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine since 2005.
The Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade (ICIT) will review anti-dumping measures against imports of cement from Russia, Belarus and Moldova to Ukraine due to their expiration.
According to a report in the Uryadovy Courier dated May 22, 2024, the anti-dumping duties previously in force by the decision of the ICIT dated May 21, 2019, are extended for the duration of the review procedure.
It is noted that the Commission considered the relevant request for review from PrJSC “Dickergoff Cement Ukraine”, PrJSC “Ivano-Frankivsk Cement” with the support of PrJSC “Kryvyi Rih Cement”, and also studied the report of the Ministry of Economy on the results of the anti-dumping procedure for the review of customs duties due to the expiration of their validity.
“The request contains sufficient evidence that the termination of anti-dumping measures against imports into Ukraine of cement originating in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Moldova, applied by the Commission’s decision of 21 May 2019, is likely to lead to the resumption of dumping and injury,” the ICIT said in a statement.
The Ministry of Economy has been entrusted with the review of anti-dumping measures. Stakeholders are to register within 30 days.
According to Alyona Omelchenko, Partner and Head of International Trade Practice at Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm, who represented the interests of Ukrainian cement producers, the review process may take up to one year.
“This decision of the Commission is extremely important for the work of Ukrainian enterprises. The initiation of the review of anti-dumping measures by the ICIT will extend the period of application of duties and prevent dumped imports from entering the market until the final decision is made,” Omelchenko said in a press release.
As reported, in 2019, the ICIT applied anti-dumping duties on imports of cement clinkers and Portland cement to Ukraine under codes 2523 10 and 2523 29 at the level of 57.03% for cement from Belarus; 94.46% for cement from Moldova; 114.95% for cement from Russia. The duties were set for a period of five years.
Forum “Grain. Pigs. Meat” will be held on June 12 and will bring together many experts.
The new pig industry of Ukraine means 20 million pigs (a 4-fold increase) and an additional 6 billion euros of added value annually!
Ukraine’s economic achievements are now more important than ever!
At the Forum “Grain. Pigs. Meat” Forum on June 12, 2024, producers and processors will gather to formulate a common strategy for development and maintaining profitability.
The main issues of the forum:
– Ways to overcome the blocking of pork exports
– Eradication of ASF in Ukraine through ASF vaccine prevention
– Strategy for implementing the New Pig Production Program in Ukraine
– Investment opportunities in the pig business
– New equipment and innovations in meat processing
– New products and innovations in pig breeding
These and other useful issues for agrarian businessmen will be revealed at the forum “Grain. Pigs. Meat” forum on June 12, 2024
Interfax-Ukraine is the official media partner of the event.
Registration by the link: https://meatindustry.com.ua/
Raiffeisen Bank has started issuing unsecured “green” loans to small businesses for construction solar power plants, as well as for the purchase of electric cars and charging stations to them.
As noted in the bank’s statement on its website on Tuesday, both FLPs and legal entities can obtain financing up to 80% of the cost of the relevant equipment and installation.
Under the terms of lending, the loan amount can be up to UAH 9 million for a period of 24 months. The interest rate is 17-19% per annum, without additional commissions.
“Thanks to the new loan program Raif contributes to decentralization of the energy system, development of electric mobility and ‘green’ recovery of Ukraine. Our business clients can reduce their risks, become energy autonomous, ensure the continuity of their work, reduce the cost of electricity and fuel. Having installed SES for loans from Raif, entrepreneurs will be able to produce “green” electricity for their own business needs, charge electric cars of their enterprises and clients with it, and sell the rest to the energy market, receiving additional income”, – commented Elena Shpirko, Raif’s business banking client segment development manager.
The bank specified that as the largest foreign lender to the Ukrainian economy, it issued UAH 1.5 billion of “green” loans to businesses, including for construction SES, production of solar panels, creation of biogas and biomethane plants, biofuel boilers, implementation of energy efficiency projects, etc.
The European information TV channel Euronews today, May 28, 2024, published an article by the head of state Kasym-Jomart Tokayev. In it, the president of Kazakhstan spoke about the role of middle powers, reports Zakon.kz.
The full translation was distributed by Akorda.
“Countries like Kazakhstan should come forward with new strength and declare their role not only as participants, but also as responsible players in the global arena.
In today’s world, marked by extreme geopolitical turbulence and constant conflicts, the need for multilateral solutions is more urgent than ever.
Wars in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, while climate change is leaving millions hungry, vulnerable and homeless. These conflicts seem intractable, with no hope for improvement. Against this backdrop of global discord, traditional powers – the world’s economic and political giants – are increasingly less able to work together.
The conflict in Ukraine has created a diplomatic stalemate, the ongoing situation in Gaza is a huge humanitarian disaster, and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are pushing risky actions at the expense of more constructive engagement. Meanwhile, structures established to promote international consensus, such as the United Nations, face paralysis and stalemate.
Middle powers, flexible key players
The veto power held by the permanent members of the UN Security Council often leads to stalemates, preventing decisive action on the global crisis and leading to recurring scenarios where unilateralism (unilateral action) is favored over collective action. This further undermines the spirit of multilateralism (multilateralism) and reduces confidence in international institutions. Against this backdrop, middle powers such as Kazakhstan emerge as key players with growing opportunities to bring about greater stability, peace and development in their regions and beyond.
Unencumbered by the complexities of superpower politics, we have the flexibility to successfully navigate complex diplomatic landscapes and pave the way for compromise and reconciliation. Even without as much global influence as the world’s superpowers, countries like ours have the economic power, military capabilities and, perhaps more importantly, the political will and diplomatic skill necessary to make a significant impact on the global stage on issues of food and energy security, green transition and IT, and supply chain sustainability.
Moreover, middle powers are deeply committed to multilateralism. Unlike superpowers, which may feel constrained by these institutions, charting their own course, our countries depend on these critical global mechanisms to resolve disputes, protect territorial integrity, and address common challenges such as climate change and pandemics.
Agenda: peacemaking and sustainable development
Kazakhstan has always been deeply committed to multilateralism, constantly seeking new venues for international dialog and joint action.
In addition to our ongoing work on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we are actively promoting the establishment of a new multilateral agency focused on biosecurity to prevent the devastating effects of man-made pandemics and bioterrorism on a global scale.
We are also proud to co-chair this year, along with France, the first One Water Summit, which aims to bring together countries and communities around the world facing the challenges of water scarcity and desertification. In addition, we have offered to host the new UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan to coordinate regional efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
We are also not afraid to offer our assistance in finding solutions to protracted conflicts. This is evidenced by our recent commitment to peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia – an effort that underscores our belief in the power of middle powers to advance dialogue and promote peace.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a valuable opportunity to reflect on the return and resurgence of divisions among the world’s great powers in the post-Cold War era.
More importantly, however, the road to global unity is not off the beaten track – it has been traveled successfully before. The world has overcome differences before and can do so again through diplomacy and dialog.
We must all work together to breathe new life into our world
With the multilateral system under severe strain, it takes countries of all sizes – large, medium and small – to breathe new life into it. However, with the big powers less and less willing to trust the process and the small countries lacking influence, it is the duty of the middle powers to lead the way.
Countries like Kazakhstan must step up and assert their role not only as participants but also as responsible players on the global stage.
At this critical moment, we call on all our international partners to join us in strengthening multilateralism – to revitalize and invest in a global system in which we have achieved much.
Let our collective action reflect our commitment not only to a more peaceful present, but also to a prosperous and harmonious future. The task is difficult, but with determination, leadership and a strong commitment to dialogue, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s successes. Let us lead the way to an era of multilateral renewal.”
Note that this is not the first article of the leader of Kazakhstan. For example, on September 20, 2023, the American print and online political publication The Hill published an article by Kasym-Jomart Tokayev about the UN.
