The issue of legalization of cannabis in Ukraine is not on the agenda as the country has enough more important problems, which are of a higher priority, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. “We are not talking about legalization of cannabis at present. But I know that very many people want to do this business in Ukraine. But we can discuss this only when we know that we are really talking about medical marijuana,” Zelensky said during a press marathon in Kyiv on Thursday.
He said he is convinced that it is necessary to find answers to all acute questions on this matter first.
“I don’t want us to be told tomorrow that we have allowed everyone to take drugs, why do we need that? We have very many problems. It seems to me that those who want this will put up with waiting,” Zelensky said.
The president said he has not seen a relevant registered bill from the Servant of the People faction.
“I think now is not the right time. Not now, it’s not a priority. We haven’t written out all the risks associated with it. We should not be compared, for example, to Canada, other countries,” Zelensky said.
He said Ukraine is now, on the contrary, fighting a drug problem.
“If we resolve this problem, we can go back to discussing this issue,” Zelensky said.
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of October 15
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 15/10/19
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
Azovstal Iron and Steel Works (Mariupol, Donetsk region) in January-September 2019 reduced production of rolled goods by 5% to 2.883 million tonnes compared to the same period in 2018, according to recent data.
A representative of the company told the Interfax-Ukraine agency steel production decreased by 2.8%, to 3.079 million tonnes, output of pig iron by 10.3%, to 2.623 million tonnes.
In September, Azovstal produced 318,000 tonnes of rolled goods, 345,000 tonnes of steel, and 301,000 tonnes of pig iron.
Azovstal in 2018 kept its rolled stock production at the previous year’s level – 3.879 million tonnes, but reduced steel output by 4%, to 4.082 million tonnes, pig iron by 2%, to 3.707 million tonnes.
The company is part of Metinvest Group, the main shareholders of which are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart-Holding (23.76%), jointly managing the company.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of Metinvest Group.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed law No. 132-IX amending some Ukrainian laws stimulating investment activities in Ukraine approved by the Verkhovna Rada on September 20, according to a posting on the official website of the head of state. “The law aims to improve the investment climate in our country in certain areas, selected as a result of a comprehensive assessment of compliance of Ukrainian legislation with the best world practices described by the World Bank Group in the Doing Business rating methodology. The document amends a number of legislative acts that contain outdated and ineffective regulation. In particular, it is aimed at filling legal gaps, as well as introducing innovative legal instruments into the legal system of Ukraine.”
The main provisions of the law outline, among other things, liability of persons with an interest and officials of a joint-stock company for losses caused by an interested-party transaction concluded on non-market terms, the consent to which was granted by the majority shareholder or persons appointed by him; expanding the list of transactions that are considered related-party transactions.
The law abolishes the obligation to pay a contribution for the development of the infrastructure of a settlement. The law provides that contracts for the payment of contribution agreements concluded before January 1, 2020 are valid and continue to be valid until they are fully executed. During 2020, companies that ordered construction projects on a land parcel transfer funds to the appropriate local budget for the creation and development of the infrastructure of the settlement: for nonresidential buildings and structures – 4% of the total estimated cost of construction of the facility; for residential buildings – 2% of the construction cost of the facility. The law also defines facilities for the construction of which contribution is not paid.
In the field of land pledge agreements, the law abolishes the obligation to conduct an expert pecuniary valuation of private property land transferred as collateral.
In the field of activity of limited liability companies, the specifics of the creation and activity of limited liability companies operating on the basis of the model charter are determined.
The law enters into force on the day following the day of its publication.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky may appoint Ambassador of Ukraine to the UN Volodymyr Yelchenko as the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States of America, the Ukrainian Voice of America service reports.
“At this post [Ukrainian Permanent Representative to the UN], an experienced diplomat Yelchenko repeatedly resolutely maintained Ukraine’s position, often in fierce exchanges of remarks with the Russian delegation during the organization’s meetings,” it said.
Zelensky said during a press marathon on October 10 that he had decided on the candidacy of the ambassador to the United States, but did not say who he had chosen.
“A person has been chosen, this is experienced person, a diplomat, who knows the United States very well. I think he will be appointed in the near future,” Zelensky said then.
Earlier, Valeriy Chaly held the post of ambassador.
AMBASSADOR, U.S.А, UKRAINE, UN
