JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” (UZ) together with UNICEF plans to implement the project of “family cars” on domestic passenger transportation, said the pre-management of UZ Yevhen Lyashchenko at a briefing.
“Family cars” will be at least on three domestic routes, it is six cars. Perhaps, there will be more such cars,” Lyashchenko said.
According to him, the project will be implemented by the end of the year.
The head of UZ also specified that the concept of the project was developed by UNICEF, which will finance the re-equipment of cars.
The volume of completed construction works in Ukraine in 2023 increased by 41.5% compared to 2022 – up to 162.7 billion UAH, according to the data of the State Statistics Service (Gosstat).
According to the statistics department, the volume of construction work in residential construction by the end of 2023 increased by 11.1% compared to the previous year, to 22.3 billion UAH; in non-residential – increased by 38.1%, to 41.5 billion UAH; in engineering – by 52.6%, to 98.8 billion UAH.
In December-2023, the volume of construction work exceeded the figure of December-2022 by 35.1%, and the previous month – by 85.8%, notes the State Statistics Service.
As reported by the State Statistics Office, in January-December 2023 to the same period of 2022, the reduction in construction was observed in the segment of housing – by 4.6%. At the same time, non-residential and engineering construction recorded an increase in volumes – by 20% and 32.9%, respectively.
According to the seasonally adjusted data of the department, the indices of construction products in December-2023 in residential construction amounted to 49.4%, in non-residential – 88.3%, in engineering – 112.7%, and taking into account the effect of calendar days, the indicators are 71.5%, 188% and 273% respectively.
The share of new construction to the total volume of completed construction works amounted to 36.3%, repair – 42.9%, reconstruction and technical re-equipment – 20.8%.
The State Statistics Service notes that the publication of data was postponed due to martial law. Statdata are given without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories and part of the territories where hostilities are (were) conducted.
As reported, the volume of completed construction works in Ukraine in 2022 decreased by 2.2 times compared to 2021 – to 113.8 billion UAH.
The number of pigs in Ukraine in 2024 in all categories of farms increased by 3%, and poultry – by 2.2%, said Olena Dadus, head of the Livestock and Breeding Department of the Agrarian Development Department of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, at the MeatForum industry conference.
“Domestic livestock producers almost completely supply the domestic food market and its processing component. Last year, meat consumption in Ukraine per capita amounted to 54.7 kg, while the minimum requirement is 52 kg. The consumption forecast for 2024 is 53.9 kg, due to a decrease in beef consumption. However, there will be an increase in public demand for pork and poultry as the most affordable types of meat,” she said in a statement by the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
It is noted that in 2023, poultry production in Ukraine increased by 5.8% compared to last year, and that this segment is the one that meets export demand for Ukrainian products. Pork and beef production declined slightly, and its pace slowed significantly.
According to the agency, due to the increase in domestic meat production, the total volume of meat imports decreased. Ukraine imported meat products from Poland, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, and Canada.
At the same time, there was an increase in meat exports. The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, China, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, and Georgia were the most frequent buyers of Ukrainian products.
A new study has named Lisbon as the most popular European capital for proposals
A new study has revealed the most popular European capitals to pop the question, with Lisbon topping the list.
Travel experts at Paris Ticket & Tours analysed the total number of proposal-related hashtags, including #capitalproposal and #capitalengagement, for each European capital. The final ranking was then determined by the capitals with the highest hashtag volumes.
Lisbon is first on the list, with a total of 1,049,944 proposal-related hashtags. The Portas do Sol viewpoint is infamous for proposals, and the Belém Tower and Gardens is another popular location in the capital to pop the question.
In second place is London, with a total of 1,026,528 proposal-related hashtags. The London Eye is an iconic tourist destination to pop the question, and the Kyoto Garden is also known to be a romantic spot for couples.
Next on the list is Paris, with a total of 1,011,970 proposal-related hashtags. The Eiffel Tower is a go-to proposal destination, but other couples may opt to pop the question whilst on a romantic cruise along the river Seine.
Berlin is fourth on the list, with 549,300 proposal-related hashtags. One of the most romantic spots in Berlin is Charlottenburg Palace, which is an excellent location for proposals.
Andorra la Vella takes the fifth place on the list, with 358,409 proposal-related hashtags. The Sola Irrigation Canal Trial is a great activity in the capital for couples who love the outdoors.
Vienna is in sixth place, with 318,054 proposal-related hashtags. The Schönbrunn Gardens are infamous for romantic proposals in Vienna.
Madrid places seventh on the list, with 248,426 proposal-related hashtags. El Retiro Park is infamous for its beauty and offers various romantic spots which are perfect for a private proposal.
Next on the list is Amsterdam, with 189,113 proposal-related hashtags. The Bloemgracht Bridge is an iconic and romantic location to pop the question in Amsterdam.
Oslo is in ninth place, with 146,535 proposal-related hashtags. Romantic spots in the capital include Frogner Park and the Oslo Opera House.
Lastly, Warsaw is in tenth place, with 105,516 proposal-related hashtags. The St. Anna Church viewing platform and the Warsaw University Library roof garden are both breathtaking destinations for proposals.
Magdalena Petrusic, a travel expert at Paris Tickets & Tours, has commented on the study’s findings: “Proposing abroad has always been such a romantic and sought-after experience, which is why it’s so fascinating to observe which European capitals are the most popular for popping that all-important question.
“While it’s surprising that Paris does not top the list, given the capital’s well-known association with romance, this study demonstrates how social media trends can sway a ranking. It will be interesting to see how these capitals place on this list in a few years’ time.”
This information was provided by Paris Tickets & Tours.
ENDS
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Methodology
Firstly, the study compiled a list of proposal-related hashtags on Instagram.
For each European capital, the study analysed how many posts were uploaded under each proposal-related hashtag on Instagram.
The cities with the most proposal-related hashtags determined the final ranking.
The link to the complete data set is available on request.
List of proposal-related hashtags searched:
· #Capitalproposal
· #Capitalengagement
· #Capitallove
· #Capitallovers
· #Engagedincapital
· #Capitalengagementphotographer
· #Capitalmarryme
· #Capitallovestory
Over the past two years, JSC OTP Bank has changed its approaches to managing its retail branch network and planning horizons, increasing the emphasis on the results of the team as a unit. This was stated by Lesia Syrota, team leader of the OTP Bank Helps Ukraine charity project, Director of Retail Sales and Network Management at OTP Bank, during the EBA Women’s Club, an event dedicated to women’s leadership in business.
According to her, the Bank used to single out the best employees and encourage competition, but now it is much more important to form powerful teams united by a single goal – to make the Bank even more convenient and closer to the customer. “OTP BANK has a network of branches throughout Ukraine, which are located in different conditions and circumstances, taking into account the security situation. We have changed our management approaches and planning horizons. Every Monday, the teams set their own goals for the week. This has brought the teams together. This position proved to be effective,” said Ms. Syrota.
As noted by the Director of Retail Sales and Network Management, the Bank aims to further develop in several areas, including the use of the latest technologies. “We already use artificial intelligence in our products and services. In the OTP Bank Information Center, the latest technologies are involved in many processes, which made it possible to work with customers’ emotions. And this allows us to increase customer empathy, which turned out to be especially important in Premium banking. This is now a separate rather deep and extensive research and ongoing implementation,” she emphasized.
Ms. Syrota shared her experience with the audience on the process of making important decisions. Usually, a team is involved in a brainstorming session to consider the details of different cases. “We carefully study the situation, form hypotheses, and then confirm or refute them. There should be at least three proposals. As life shows, the latter options will be better than the first fastest. We don’t make decisions instantly, because it’s better to think carefully. This encourages colleagues to offer interesting and progressive solutions,” she said.
As the participants of the event emphasized, the role of women in business and teams is becoming increasingly important. Women’s leadership and soft skills, including emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork, are becoming key success factors. “The modern world requires us to constantly develop. We should not be afraid to take responsibility. You need to move forward and build your business. Today, there are important and interesting financial support programs for businesses owned or co-owned by women, such as the joint program of OTP Bank and UASID, which offers unique lending conditions. In particular, an important component of this program is to support companies with women in their ownership structure,” added Ms. Syrota.
EBA Women`s Club, OTP BANK, OTP Bank Helps Ukraine, Леся Сирота
The state intends to attract private investors to lend to projects for the repair, modernization, reconstruction, and construction of strategic port infrastructure facilities in Ukraine with the possibility of compensation for the funds spent through port dues.
The relevant provisions are contained in the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “Some issues of compensation for investments made by business entities in strategic port infrastructure facilities that are state-owned”, the text of which is posted on the website of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure (Ministry of Health) for discussion.
The document provides for the approval of the procedure and conditions for concluding agreements on the basis of which investments made by business entities in strategic port infrastructure facilities are compensated, as well as amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 899 of October 3, 2012, according to which public sector entities may make expenditures on capital investments, in particular on port infrastructure facilities, in the absence of an approved financial plan.
It is noted that the amount of investment compensation should not exceed the amount of funds actually paid by the investor to finance the design or construction of port infrastructure facilities.
In addition, it is noted that the investor may be a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur. There may be several investors at one facility.
At the same time, the new procedure will not apply to legal relations involving business entities that make private investments in port infrastructure facilities on the basis of agreements concluded under public-private partnerships, including concession agreements and lease agreements for state property.
The Ministry of Reconstruction expects that the adoption of this resolution will help restore strategic port infrastructure facilities, accelerate the growth of maritime transport, improve the competitiveness of seaports and increase their investment attractiveness.
“Due to the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, there is a problem of insufficient funding for the maritime industry, in particular due to imperfect fiscal policy, which leads to a lack of funds at the state-owned enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA),” the explanatory note to the draft resolution says.
It is noted that the USPA has entered into contracts for a number of construction projects, but “due to lack of funds and the state’s dividend policy, it is not possible to implement even part of these projects.”
At the same time, the USPA is facing an acute issue of the need to reconstruct and maintain port infrastructure, including berthing facilities. As of February 24, 2022, the state-owned enterprise had 265 berths (cargo, auxiliary, passenger) located in 13 seaports of Ukraine. Of this number, 20 are unsuitable for normal operation, 37 require significant investment in the next five years, and more than 50 operate with low economic efficiency – they need to be restored through overhaul or reconstruction.
In addition, it is indicated that, according to preliminary calculations, in the period before the full-scale invasion, the need for USPA to finance projects for the reconstruction, modernization and construction of berths alone (more than 48 projects, of which 36 are for reconstruction and modernization) was estimated at UAH 12 billion over four years.
