Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide Ukraine with a $100 million loan for 30 years at 1% per annum with a grace period of 10 years, the Ministry of Finance said on its website.
According to the press release, the agreement was signed on Monday by Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka.
“The concessional loan of 13 billion yen, which is the first part of the agreed financial assistance between Ukraine and Japan, will be directed to the state budget to finance priority expenses. First of all, to support the most unprotected population of Ukraine,” the press service of the ministry said, citing Marchenko.
The signed agreement refers to the budgetary support for the stabilization of the situation in Ukraine, in particular, the provision of priority social, and humanitarian expenditures, health care, support for internally displaced persons, and other priority expenditures, the Finance Ministry added.
EU foreign ministers have agreed to provide Ukraine with an additional EUR 500 million, bringing the total amount of European assistance to EUR 2 billion, EU diplomat Josep Borrell has said on Monday.
During a press conference, Borrell said the EU has agreed to provide an additional EUR 500 million from the European Peace Facility for the delivery of weapons. What started with EUR 500 million is now approaching EUR 2 billion, according to him.
The head of EU diplomacy said this is just the tip of the iceberg, as the EU member states provide assistance to Ukraine on their own.
Borrell announced plans to provide such additional financial assistance to Ukraine last week.
The average retail prices for gasoline in Ukraine increased by 2.5-3 UAH/liter from May 9 to May 16, according to the data of the A-95 consulting group (Kyiv).
Thus, the average retail prices for A-92 gasoline increased by UAH 3.04/liter over the week, to UAH 39.85/liter, A-95 by UAH 2.42/liter, to UAH 40.12/liter , premium A-95 – by 2.63 UAH / liter, up to 41.66 UAH / liter.
In addition, retail prices for diesel fuel increased by UAH 0.17, to UAH 43.25/liter, for liquefied gas, by UAH 2.44/liter, to UAH 35.1/liter.
Change in average retail prices for petroleum products in Ukraine, UAH/liter
A-92 A-95 A-95+ DT LPG
04/18/21 33.70 34.05 35.09 37.78 28.82
04/25/22 33.65 34.06 35.24 38.35 29.99
04/29/22 34.01 34.63 35.57 39.15 30.58
02.05.22 35.12 36.13 37.24 40.81 30.87
05/09/22 36.81 37.70 39.03 43.08 32.66
05/16/22 39.85 40.12 41.66 43.25 35.10
rev. per week,% +8.3 +6.4 +6.7 +0.4 +7.5
Data: “A-95”
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of May 16
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 16/05/22
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
The restaurant market in Kyiv has shrunk by half, since the beginning of the war at least a third of establishments have been closed, Olga Nasonova, co-founder of the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine, told Interfax-Ukraine.
“At best, half of the 500,000 active consumers of restaurant services have remained. This means that half of the market simply does not have its own audience, it does not exist now physically. Restaurant Kyiv today is a city of harsh contrasts. A dead desert with closed doors of cafes and restaurants is enlivened by oases of crowded establishments. At least a third of Kyiv restaurants are closed. It is not known when they will open,” Nasonova said.
According to her observations, only about 20% of open catering establishments show a good load. “From central Kyiv, these are Keds, Musafir, Milk Bar, Mimosa, Arugula, Naprosecco – I won’t mention everyone, but everyone who was downtrodden was doing well before the war,” says Nasonova .
In addition to such top establishments even before the war, according to her estimates, two formats have a chance to “survive”.
“Coffee shops and bakeries will hold out. Low average bill, small area. Chains such as Family Bakery, Lviv Croissants, Espressoholik, Aroma Kava” will be fine with them. Establishments with the concept of simple and hearty cuisine are in demand: “Musafir”, “Mama Manana” (Georgia), “Puzata Khata” … But exotic concepts are now in much less demand, it’s like pampering, or something. Sushi, ramen – it’s more about pampering yourself from time to time, “Nasonova said .
The expert also noted that the curfew practically stopped the work of bars in the capital.
“It’s hard to get used to drinking before 9 pm,” Nasonova said.
At the same time, kiosks with shawarma feel best of all.
“Simple and cheap food is the trend of the coming months, and single men are the main audience,” says the expert.
As for prices, since the beginning of the war, prices for the most democratic positions have already increased by about 10%.
“The (Kyiv) perepichka index is growing – already 30 hryvnias, at the end of 2021 it was 25 hryvnias. For economists, these figures speak volumes. Coffee prices began to rise from the beginning of the year, cappuccino in January was 32 hryvnias, in March it was already 35 hryvnias, in the center now UAH 38,” Nasonova said.
Established in 2021, the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine (NRAU) for May 2022 unites more than 50 members, 450 restaurants and cafes.
