Business awaits law enforcement reforms, but the latest version of the law on the Economic Security Bureau and the bill on the reform of the Security Service (SBU) adopted at first reading raise doubts about the quality of such reforms, the European Business Association (EBA) said in a release.
“It is worth noting that currently, the problem of cooperation with law enforcement agencies concerns not only SMEs and regional entrepreneurs but also large international companies and strategic investors,” the release says.
“The reform issue is especially relevant now in the context of the establishment of the Bureau of Economic Security. Although the community has not yet seen the final version of the document, the business was wary of the penultimate version of the draft law. Thus, there are fears that instead of a radically new analytical body that would help protect the interests of business, a new structure may be created with a new name, but with the same methods of work and even the same people,” the EBA says.
“At the same time, the SBU reform was launched, so to speak, by the adoption of the draft law No. 3196-d at first reading. Thus, the draft law was supposed to eliminate anti-corruption and economic units in the SBU, partially demilitarize the service, etc. However, there are fears that the liquidated SBU departments will be reincarnated as other functional units that will provide counterintelligence support in the economic context. In other words, it is likely to put continued pressure on the business. And, in general, this document invokes a lot of questions concerning the renewed functions and powers of the service,” it noted.
“Therefore, the European Business Association appeals to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Arsen Avakov, Minister of Internal Affairs, to pay due attention to reforming the law enforcement system in 2021. It is unacceptable and unreasonable to persecute the business. Otherwise, the issue of attracting investment, business development, and economic development, in general, may become a big question. We hope that the time for fundamental reforms has come and we will finally move from talks to the action!” the document says.
Ukrainian enterprises reduced imports of copper and copper products in monetary terms by 40.3% in January 2021 compared to January 2020, to $9.666 million.
According to customs statistics published by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, exports of copper and copper products grew 3.2-fold, to $12.394 million in January 2021.
In addition, in January 2021, Ukraine reduced imports of nickel and nickel products by 17.5% compared to January 2020, to $6.576 million, aluminum and aluminum products by 7.6%, to $25.317 million. At the same time, the import of lead and lead products grew by 47.7%, to $786,000, tin and tin products remained unchanged at $152,000, the import of zinc and zinc products rose by 66.5%, to $7.043 million.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January 2021 increased 41.8% compared to January 2020, to $10.51 million, lead and lead products grew by 21%, to $3.033 million, nickel and nickel products decreased by 8.1%, to $147,000. Zinc exports in January 2021 amounted to $1,000, while in January 2020 it was $39,000. Exports of tin and tin products in January 2021 amounted to $1,000, while in January 2020 it was $3,000.
The European Parliament reaffirmed its continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, continuing to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and the de facto occupation of certain regions in the east by Russia.
This is discussed in the section “Cooperation in the field of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP)” of the resolution on Ukraine’s implementation of the Association Agreement, voted by the European Parliament during the plenary session. The spokesperson was deputy from the European People’s Party Michael Gahler (Germany).
“The European Parliament Reiterates the Union’s unwavering support for and commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and its support for the internationally coordinated sanctioning of the Russian Government and agents who are undermining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to the resolution.
In addition, the European Parliament ontinues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the de facto occupation of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations, to withdraw its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.
The European Parliament also welcomes the resumption of the peace talks under the Normandy four format on 9 December 2019 in Paris after a deadlock of three years.
The European Parliament strongly condemns Russia’s destabilising actions and military involvement in Ukraine; expresses concern about Russia’s ongoing build-up of military facilities and installations in the Crimean Peninsula. In addition, the European Parliament condemned Russia’s illegal actions aimed at seizing control of the Kerch Strait, as they constitute a breach of international maritime law and Russia’s international commitments, in particular the construction of the Kerch Bridge and its rail link without Ukraine’s consent, the laying of underwater cables and the closing up and militarisation of the Azov Sea, which severely hinders Ukraine’s economic activities. The European Parliament called on the Russian Federation to ensure unhindered and free passage to and from the Azov Sea in line with international law, and access to the occupied Ukrainian territories of Donbas and annexed Crimea for international non-governmental organizations and international humanitarian organisations and to release of all Ukrainian political prisoners and prisoners of war in Russia, Crimea and the parts of Donbas not controlled by the Ukrainian Government.
The European Parliament also considers it possible for the Commission and the European External Action Service to intensify their efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
In addition, the European Parliament called on the EU High Representative, the Commission and the member states to provide the necessary support for the creation of the Crimean International Platform, which will coordinate, formalize and systematize efforts aimed at restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Roberto Banfi, after two and half years as a non-executive director and a member of the International Government Relations and Public Affairs Committee, is retiring from the Board of Directors of MHP agricultural holding, effective immediately, the holding said on the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday.
According to the report, Banfi is becoming an Advisor to the Board with a possibility to join both Board and Committees meetings on a regular basis on invite from the Chairman of the Board and Chairmen of Committees.
As reported, in June 2018, the shareholders’ meeting of MHP agricultural holding appointed Banfi as a non-executive director with a planned contract term until 2021.
According to MHP, Banfi in 2014-2016 held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Brazilian company BRF in Europe and Eurasia – one of the world’s largest meat producers.
MHP is the largest producer of chicken in Ukraine.
Prices in Ukrainian industry in January 2021 compared to January 2020 grew by 17.6%, the State Statistics Service said on Wednesday.
As previously reported by the authority, in 2020 the growth of industrial producer prices was 14.5%, in 2019 it was 7.4%, in 2018 – 14.2%, in 2017 – 16.5%, in 2016 – 35.7%, and in 2015 – 25.4%.
Within Ukraine, industrial producer prices in January 2021 to January 2020 increased by 11.2%, as for deliveries outside the country – by 46.2%.
Prices in Ukrainian industry in January compared to the previous month (December 2020) grew by 5.2%, while in December last year – by 1.8%, in November by 2%, in October – by 3.8%, and September – by 1.7%.
Prices in the mining industry in January 2021 to January 2020 rose by 38.4%, due to growth in prices in the extraction of metal ores – by 64.9%, oil and gas – by 24.6% and in the production of coal – by 1.2%.
In the manufacturing industry, prices rose by 19.8%. In the production of sugar, they grew by 63.6%, bread and bakery products – by 10.2%, dairy products – by 7.9%, meat products – by 4.1% and beverages – by 4.2%.
Moreover, in metallurgy in January 2021 to January 2020 prices rose by 34.6%, the production of intermediate goods – by 30.2%, in chemical production – by 29.4%, the production of short-term goods – by 22, 4%, production of durable goods – by 12.6%, woodworking – by 11.3%, in pharmaceutical production – by 11.4% and mechanical engineering – by 3.2%.
In the supply of electricity, gas and air conditioning prices rose by 2.3%, in the production of coke and refined products they grew by 3.8%.
The occupancy of hotels in Lviv in January 2021 was 35%, 31% Kharkiv, 23% in Kyiv and 19% Odesa, according to Hotel Matrix.
“During the lockdown, many hotels temporarily closed and did not work. Among those who continued to work, the best occupancy results were achieved in Kharkiv and Kyiv with a pronounced tendency to higher occupancy – up to 40% – on business days,” Hotel Matrix Project Manager Olha Mischenko told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to Hotel Matrix analysts, Lviv holds the lead for the second month in all indicators. The Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) of the city is almost equal to Kharkiv (UAH 2,236 and UAH 2,222). At the same time, as for RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), Lviv was 14% ahead of Kharkiv with UAH 781. ADR in Kyiv hotels was UAH 1,609, Odesa – UAH 1,397. RevPAR was UAH 370 and UAH 269, respectively.
“Lviv reached high occupancy levels not only during the Christmas holidays, but also after the lockdown period. The minimum occupancy value of 10% was recorded on January 10 and 17 in Odesa, the highest – 76% – on January 2 in Lviv,” Mischenko said.
Hotel Matrix launched in May 2020 is a web product of hotel analytics, developed by specialists from Poland and Ukraine. Now 150 hotels are connected to Hotel Matrix.
