Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group supplies steel products and cooperates with Italian shipbuilder T. Mariotti and steel construction manufacturer Cimolai. Mariotti and steel construction manufacturer Cimolai.
According to Metinvest, two twin ships – polar class expedition ships Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit – were built from Metinvest Trametal (Italy) steel for Seabourn Cruise Line.
It is specified that 10 thousand tons of Metinvest Trametal hot-rolled sheet were used for construction of Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit.
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are compact cruise ships with reinforced hull, which allows them to make voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic in the fall and summer seasons. They are equipped with modern equipment and technology, and each ship has two submarines on board. The ships are 172 meters long and 24 meters wide. They can accommodate 260 passengers and 120 crew members in 132 cabins.
Each ship has 10 decks, 8 of which are with passenger access.
It is also noted that the companies T. Mariotti and Cimolai have been cooperating with Metinvest for a long time.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. The group’s enterprises are located primarily in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The group has three rolling mills in Western Europe – Ferriera Valsider (Verona) and Metinvest Trametal (San Giorgio di Nogaro) in Italy and Spartan in the UK, as well as Promet Steel in Bulgaria.
The main shareholders of the holding are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it. Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
In March 2025, the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) paid UAH 13.517 billion to medical institutions providing primary and specialized medical care under the Medical Guarantee Program.
According to the NHSU, in particular, it paid UAH 878.5 million for emergency medical care, UAH 1.896 billion for primary medical care, and UAH 5.13 billion for the provision of priority services to specialized medical care facilities in February.
In addition, in March, the NHSU paid UAH 146.3 million to clinics under the package “Preparedness and provision of medical care to the population in the territory where hostilities are taking place” and UAH 808.6 million under the package “Transitional financial support for the provision of medical services by healthcare facilities”.
In March, the NHSU also paid UAH 526.8 million to pharmacies under the Affordable Medicines reimbursement program.
As reported, the state budget for 2025 provides more than UAH 175.5 billion for the Medical Guarantee Program (MGP). In particular, the MHG-2025 provides for the allocation of more than UAH 25 billion to pay for primary healthcare services, almost UAH 11 billion for emergency medical care, more than UAH 122 billion for specialized and palliative care, including more than UAH 6 billion for medical rehabilitation.
Tariffs for primary healthcare have been increased in the MTEF-2025. The basic capital rate will be UAH 844.4 instead of UAH 786.65 in 2024. In addition, the NHLP adds a rural coefficient of 1.1 to the base rate.
In addition, the NBU-2025 expands the reimbursement program “Affordable Medicines” – its budget will amount to UAH 6.6 billion.
The MTEF-2025 will cover 44 packages of healthcare services, including two new ones: radioisotope diagnostics for cancer diagnosis, including PET scans, as well as psychosocial and psychiatric care with the development of mental health centers and mobile multidisciplinary teams for adults and children.
In 2024, Dneprovsky Rifle Plant JSC (DnSZ, Dnipro) increased its consolidated net income by 29.3% compared to 2023, to UAH 2 billion 380 million.
According to the company’s consolidated financial report published on its website, net profit amounted to UAH 540.41 million (in line with previously published preliminary data), which is 5.2% more than in 2023.
The plant received UAH 647.75 million in profit from operating activities, up 5%, and gross profit increased by 11.6% to UAH 906.6 million.
Equity capital at the beginning of this year amounted to UAH 2 billion 474 million.
Over the year, the company reduced long-term liabilities by 22.3% to UAH 132.14 million, while current liabilities grew slightly (by 3.6%) to UAH 385.2 million.
DnSZ specializes in the production and sale of track superstructure elements: switches, blind crossings of various brands, and leveling devices. The products are sold mainly in Ukraine and exported to more than eight countries.
According to the report, as of the end of 2024, 20.154% of DnSZ shares are owned by Johnen Capital Limited (Cyprus), 5% is owned by Dnipro City Council member Zahid Krasnov, his sons Ruslan and Artem own 10% and 11.228% of shares, respectively, and another 18.2959% is owned by Israeli citizen Victoria Korban (sister of businessman Gennadiy Korban – IF-U).
Among the shareholders who own more than 5% of the shares of DnSZ JSC are also the Chairman of the Board Sergiy Taranenko (almost 10%), Iryna Taranenko (8.658%), and CFO Valery Kryachko (7.3%).
As of December 31, 2024, the company owned 100% of the capital of its subsidiary Dnipro S&C Trade (Switzerland).
In 2024, DnSZ’s unconsolidated profit increased by 6.7% to UAH 544.2 million, with revenue growing by 31% to UAH 2 billion 346 million.
The number of employees of the plant amounted to 622 people (6 more than in 2023).
As reported, the general meeting of shareholders of DnSZ JSC was scheduled for March 26, where, in particular, it was planned to distribute the net profit received – to allocate UAH 420 million to pay dividends at the rate of UAH 1.65 thousand per share. The minutes of the meeting have not yet been made public.
Milk prices in Ukraine continue to decline, as of March 25, the average purchase price of extra milk was 16.35 UAH/kg (excluding VAT), which is 0.45 UAH less than a month ago, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
According to the report, premium milk costs an average of 16.15 UAH/kg (excluding VAT), which is 0.50 UAH less than last month, and first-class milk costs 15.65 UAH/kg (excluding VAT, 0.35 UAH lower).
Accordingly, the weighted average price of the three grades is 16.20 UAH/kg (excluding VAT), which is 0.40 UAH less than a month ago.
“Purchase prices in Ukraine continued to move downward in the second half of March. However, the surplus of raw milk on the market, which puts pressure on purchase prices, decreased compared to the first half of March due to an increase in dairy exports from Ukraine and a certain increase in domestic consumption,” said AVM analyst Giorgi Kukhaleishvili.
He added that Ukrainian consumers are used to high prices for dairy products. Dairy processing plants stimulate consumption of dairy products in Ukraine by offering promotional discounts on their products in retail chains. The profitability of skimmed milk powder and butter production has improved, but deteriorated in the case of cheese and casein.
The industry association predicts that as of April 1, there may be a slight decrease in the price of raw milk in Ukraine by 0.2-0.3 UAH/kg.
In terms of euros, raw milk prices in Ukraine are higher than in New Zealand and South America, which actively export their dairy products to Asia and Africa and compete with Ukrainian and European exporters.
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary and Slovakia and the likelihood of the disease spreading to Poland and Austria create prospects for further declines in purchase prices. Dairy processing companies in Poland and Austria export significant volumes of dairy products and, in the event of quarantine, they may switch to the production of long-term storage products, including butter or milk powder.
“These products are the key items of Ukrainian dairy exports. The accumulation of butter and milk powder in warehouses in Europe may lead to lower prices for similar products and raw milk in Ukraine. There is also a risk of foot-and-mouth disease spreading to Ukraine from neighboring countries, which could lead to significant losses for the dairy industry,” the AMP warned.
The association suggests that the abolition of the EU’s preferential customs regime for Ukrainian agricultural products, including dairy products, on June 5, 2025, may be a factor in reducing raw milk prices in Ukraine. The reinstatement of duties is likely to reduce the volume of dairy exports from Ukraine even to third countries, as they are shipped through the seaports of Poland and Romania.
“Most likely, the surplus of raw milk in Ukraine will increase, and purchase prices will go down in the event of a similar scenario,” the industry association summarized.
On April 3-4, the first-ever summit meeting between the EU and Central Asian countries will take place in Samarkand. This landmark event will open a new page in relations between the regions, marking a transition to a qualitatively new level of multilateral cooperation.
Since the emergence of newly independent states in Central Asia, the EU has been working to establish bilateral partnerships with them. Since 1991, the development of the EU’s strategy in Central Asia has gone through several important stages, which were driven by changes in the system of international relations, the dynamics of European integration, and the role of Central Asia in global politics.
The first large-scale program of cooperation was the Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS, 1991-2006), which supported the countries of the region in political and economic reforms, transition to a market economy and strengthening the rule of law. More than 3,000 projects were implemented under this initiative, totaling more than €7 billion. The key achievement of TACIS was the conclusion of Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with the countries of Central Asia.
Another important milestone was the adoption of the first EU Strategy for Central Asia in 2007. This period was marked by the beginning of the perception of Central Asia as a single region. A mechanism of annual meetings at the level of foreign ministers was created.
The policy of neighborhood and regional partnership implemented by the Republic of Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev made a significant contribution to the rethinking of the strategy. As a result of joint efforts, a completely new political atmosphere has emerged in Central Asia. In a few years, many problems that had been accumulating for decades were resolved. As a result, the region is becoming a space for mutually beneficial cooperation and sustainable development.
In other words, Central Asia is no longer just a bridge between the East and the West, as it was traditionally perceived, but an independent actor in international relations.
Central Asian states are interested in attracting European investments, technologies and innovations for sustainable development. The EU is actively cooperating with the regions in politics, security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian relations, strengthening the legal framework for cooperation. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have already signed partnership agreements with the EU, and Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are preparing to sign theirs. In October 2023, a Joint Roadmap was adopted to deepen ties between the EU and Central Asia.
In recent years, Brussels has been building relations with five Central Asian states under Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. To date, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have already signed such agreements with the EU. In March 2024, Turkmenistan signed a protocol to the Agreement, and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are finalizing preparations for signing the document.
An additional impetus to the development of cooperation was given by the adoption in October 2023 of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia.
The European Union remains the largest investor in Central Asia, accounting for more than 40% of foreign direct investment over the past ten years (over €100 billion).
One of the areas of strategic partnership is the development and processing of mineral resources. In the context of diversification of supplies of critical materials, Central Asian countries are playing an increasingly important role in the global market. The signed Memoranda of Understanding with Kazakhstan (2022) and Uzbekistan (2024) allow European companies to intensify cooperation with the region’s countries in high-tech areas.
Among the infrastructure projects aimed at developing the region’s logistics potential, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project plays a special role.
A new impetus to the development of cooperation was given by the results of the first investment and transport forum of Central Asia and the EU, held in January 2024 in Brussels. During the event, it was announced that 10 billion euros would be allocated to modernize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connecting Asia and Europe.
Another important area of partnership with the EU is the digital integration of Central Asia into the global economy. In March of this year, during the regional visit of EU Commissioner J. Sikela, the TEI Digital Connectivity project was launched to develop satellite communications, expand broadband Internet access, support digital innovation, and improve cybersecurity.
The fight against climate change and the transition to sustainable development remain a key aspect of cooperation, with the main initiatives being the SECCA project under the Team Europe strategy, the CAWEP Water and Energy Program, and Green Central Asia.
The EU remains not only an important trade, economic, and investment partner for the region, but also a key benchmark in the field of sustainable development, digital transformation, and environmental programs.
Lviv municipal enterprise “Lvivelectrotrans” on March 31 announced a tender for compulsory insurance of civil liability of owners of land vehicles (trolleybuses) and carrier’s liability insurance, according to the system of electronic public procurement Prozorro.
The lot for voluntary insurance of liability to third parties in economic activities by legal entities or individuals – entrepreneurs and voluntary insurance of property is also specified.
The expected cost of purchasing the services is UAH 12.501 mln.
The deadline for submission of documents is April 8.
