A test system for diagnosing Covid-19, developed in the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, is being prepared for release, the press service for the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences said.
“The developed test system is being prepared for release in the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences,” the academy press service said on Thursday.
According to the press service for the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics started working on domestic test systems in January 2020 on the orders of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council following reports on an epidemic of the new coronavirus in the Hubei province of the People’s Republic of China.
“In that time, the institute has designed and synthesized four nucleic primers that meet the most specific sequences in the virus genome. Preparations have been made for tests of the lab version of the original test system for diagnosing the coronavirus 2019-nCoV, which is not under patent protection of foreign test systems,” the press service said.
Besides, the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences has developed and put into operation some drugs, including those with antiviral effect, for use in medical practice.
According to preliminary data, JSC Kharkiv Tractor Plant, belonged to DCH Group of businessman Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, completed 2019 with a net profit of UAH 71.8 million, whereas the loss was UAH 81.4 million in 2018.
According to information on the agenda of the shareholders’ general meeting on April 23, the uncovered loss amounted to UAH 582.76 million by the beginning of 2019 (UAH 654.06 million in 2018).
The draft decision of the meeting provides for directing the net profit received in 2019 to replenish working assets, not to pay dividends.
According to the plant, in 2019, its current liabilities decreased 6.8%, to UAH 1.374 billion, long-term ones increased 45%, to UAH 266 million.
The total receivables as of January 1, 2020 amounted to UAH 155.4 million (UAH 96.71 million in 2019), total assets were UAH 1.280 billion (1.262 billion).
The plant’s equity capital has a negative value of UAH 362.75 million, charter capital was UAH 4.35 million by the beginning of 2020.
According to the plant’s website, it produced 585 units of equipment in 2019 (12% more than in 2018) and sold 638 units (16% more). The plant’s revenue increased by 22%, to almost UAH 800 million.
To date, the plant has about 1,100 employees; the average salary is UAH 10,000 (UAH 7,800 by the beginning of 2019).
Kharkiv Tractor Plant, founded in 1930, currently produces dozens of models of tractors and special-purpose equipment designed for work in agriculture, public utilities and construction areas. The main product range is represented by small tractors with a capacity of 35 hp, as well as large wheeled and tracked tractors with a capacity of 150-280 hp.
Ukraine’s Revel Laboratory is switching their 3D printers to print valves for artificial lungs ventilation machines due to a lack of them amid the coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic, the co-founder of the company, David Stavnitser, wrote on his Facebook page.
“Tough times require innovative solutions. That is why Revel Laboratory is switching all its 3D printers to the production of valves for artificial lungs ventilation machines. Our Italian colleagues, Isinnova, came up with this solution. Such a valve allows connecting two patients to one lungs ventilation machine,” he said.
According to him, the company has already contacted the Italian colleagues and will soon receive technical specifications and 3D models of the required valves.
Revel Laboratory asks hospitals experiencing interruptions in the supply of valves or which need additional supplies to contact them, as well as manufacturers of plastic for 3D printing, which can deliver Nylon P12 (1.75 or 2.85 mm) approved for use in medicine.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as part of the Green Cities program, intends to provide Kyivteploenergo with a loan of EUR 140 million for the modernization of the central heating infrastructure, according to information on the bank’s website.
The project, the approval of which is scheduled for May 27, will be aimed at ensuring the sustainable and efficient operation of Kyiv combined heat and power plants (CHPP) and boiler houses, improving the reliability and quality of heat supply and hot water supply.
As reported, last year, Kyivteploenergo announced its intention to attract a EBRD loan in the amount of EUR 140 million with a three-year grace period to modernize the municipal heating system. At that time, three main areas of the project were reported: closing 45 small boiler houses (out of 200 boiler houses the company has), replacing a condensing heat exchanger at the small block of CHPP-5, and installing new generating capacities at CHPP-6.
The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. Since the beginning of its activity in the country in 1993, the bank has financed 445 projects for a total amount of almost EUR 14.6 billion.
Ukrspyrt has suspended shipment of alcohol for export due to the increased demand for medical alcohol in Ukraine because of the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, the company has said.
“We have taken the state’s position, first of all, to take care of Ukrainians. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are seeing an increased demand for medical alcohol not only domestically but also externally. Therefore, we decided to suspend export of alcohol. First we need to fully provide the Ukrainian market. We consider it is unacceptable if medical institutions turn to us with a request to sell alcohol, but we don’t have it. Therefore, we take care of the needs of our medical sector,” Ukrspyrt acting head Serhiy Bleskun said.
The company indicated that exports would be restored after the domestic market of Ukraine is fully provided.
As reported, Ukrspyrt in 2019 increased its net profit by 1.9 times compared to 2018, to UAH 40.3 million. Alcohol production fell by 5%, to 5.9 million decaliters.
State-owned enterprise Ukrspyrt is a large producer of alcohol and alcohol containing products in Ukraine. It is managed by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture. Its total production capacity is more than 36 million deciliters per year. The work is provided by 41 production sites, while in March 2020 only ten are operating.
Now the company is being prepared for transfer to the State Property Fund for privatization
Corteva Agriscience, an international agricultural company operating on the Ukrainian market, has started using crop receipts to ensure financing of Ukrainian farmers in the conditions of the volatile market.
According to a press release from the company, crop receipts are available for the purchase of seeds and crop protection products of Corteva Agriscience in Ukraine. “Using this tool, farmers get the opportunity of increasing the credit limit for the purchase of Corteva Agriscience products and defer payment if necessary, and also protect themselves from the impact of changes in product prices,” the company said.
Corteva Agriscience said that issuing a crop receipt will take up to three days and will cost an average of 0.3% of the amount of the financial obligation under the receipt paid for the notary endorsement service.
A prerequisite for issuing a crop receipt is that the farmer owns or leases a sufficient number of officially registered farmland. The sown area for a crop receipt is determined by a special formula that takes into account the expected yield of the client for two years, the price of agricultural products and the amount of the obligation.
“Obligations of a producer on the crop receipt are guaranteed by a pledge – the future harvest of crops such as corn, sunflower and wheat. The amount of the obligation is determined by the formula agreed upon by the farmer and Corteva Agriscience, taking into account prices for agricultural products in a certain quantity and quality, but cannot be less than UAH 1.5 million, which is the minimum amount for using the crop receipt,” the company said.
