Industrial production in Ukraine in March 2021 increased by 2.1% compared to March 2020, which was the first month of the introduction of quarantine due to COVID-19, and the growth adjusted for the effect of calendar days was 2.4%, the State Statistics Service has said.
The department indicated that the growth of industrial production in March 2021 amounted to 10.9% against the previous month, and on a seasonally adjusted basis – 1.8%.
In the supply of electricity, gas, steam and conditioned air in March 2021 from March 2020, an increase was 7.3%, in processing industry – 2.5%, while the reduction in production in extracting industry was 1.5%.
The State Statistics Service clarified that in the first quarter of 2021 in relation to the same period a year earlier, industrial production in Ukraine decreased by 2%, in particular in mining industry – by 2.8%, processing – by 3.3%, although the supply of electricity, gas and steam gains 4.1% due to substantially colder weather.
As reported, industrial production in Ukraine in 2020 fell by 5.2% after falling by 0.5% a year earlier. At the same time, in December last year, for the first time since May 2019, its growth was recorded compared to the same period last year – by 4.8%.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia and Pesa Bydgoszcz S.A. (Poland) have discussed a cooperation program for the restoration of Polish-made diesel trains.
According to the press service of the company, with reference to acting chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia Ivan Yuryk, following the results of his meeting with the president and management of Pesa Bydgoszcz S.A. on April 22, Ukrzaliznytsia also invited Polish colleagues to cooperate within the City Express project.
According to Yuryk, currently only four of the 14 Pesa rail buses operated by Ukrzaliznytsia are in working order.
“Some of these trains are used on the route of the Boryspil express. Therefore, it is important for us to prepare them qualitatively and in advance for the expected revival of passenger traffic, after the renewal of international air traffic volumes,” the expert noted.
The parties agreed that Ukrzaliznytsia, together with the manufacturing plant, will conduct a detailed technical assessment of the condition of the rolling stock and develop the best repair program.
In addition, as noted, a preliminary agreement was reached within the direct cooperation of Pesa on training Ukrainian train maintenance specialists.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the Polish manufacturer showed interest in Ukrzaliznytsia’s plans to renew its locomotive fleet and, subject to long-term funding programs, passenger trains for interregional transportation. Ukrzaliznytsia will provide its colleagues with the necessary technical requirements and will conduct joint consultations to develop the projects.
The Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will be held at the Ukraina Palace in October, director of the Miss Ukraina contest Veronika Shchyptsova said.
“This year the Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will take place. We plan to hold it at the Ukraina Palace in October,” Shchyptsova told a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.
She noted that the prize fund of the competition was increased to UAH 1 million, and it was also decided that all participants in the competition would receive valuable prizes and gifts.
“But do not forget that 25 finalists will compete for the main prize – the coveted Miss Ukraina title, an exclusive crown and UAH 500,000. The Miss Earth and Miss International title holders will receive cash rewards of UAH 250,000 each,” Shchyptsova said.
According to her, age restrictions have also changed, and from now on, girls from 17 to 26 years old can apply for participation in the competition.
The jury of the Miss Ukraina contest will consist of both Ukrainian celebrities and international stars, experts in the field of beauty, fashion and television. Shchyptsova said that the guests of the competition, in particular, will be head of the international jewelry company Jacob & Co Jacob Arabo, as well as famous traveler and Ambassador of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Johan Nilsson.
“For the first time in the history of the competition, before the final, we will conduct shooting of a reality show, which opens up for viewers exclusive information about the participants and the Miss Ukraina backstage show,” said the head of the competition committee.
The winner of the final of the Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will represent Ukraine at the international Miss World contest in Puerto Rico in December.
Shchyptsova also said that in 2021 she became the owner and head of the competition committee, purchasing it for UAH 1 million.
“In order to bring the project to a significantly higher level, we attract both Ukrainian and international brands,” she explained.
According to her, this year it was decided to radically change the approach to the preparation of the Miss Ukraina contest, since it turns 30. “We are preparing the brightest and most ambitious show in the history of the competition,” Shchyptsova emphasized.
Open castings are planned to be held in all the largest cities of Ukraine, and Odesa will be the first city on the tour map, the place and date of the selection will be announced in the social networks of the competition.
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 22/04/21
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of April 22
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
The State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection has agreed with Libyan experts on the form of an export veterinary certificate for the supply of milk and dairy products, the State Food Service said in a press release.
“Less than two weeks ago, a very productive meeting with the Charge d’Affaires of Libya in Ukraine, Adel Benissa, took place at the State Food and Consumer Protection Service, and today we have very good news for Ukrainian dairy producers about the opening of the export market,” head of the agency Vladyslava Mahaletska said.
She clarified that the possibility of exporting sunflower oil, grain, fruit and berry products from Ukraine to Libya is being considered. The forms of international veterinary certificates for the export of cattle, poultry and products from it have already been agreed.
As reported, Ukraine in April agreed with Argentina the form of an export veterinary certificate for the supply of milk and dairy products to this country.
Ukrainian agricultural products in 2020 gained access to the markets of 12 countries. Some 35 export certificates have been agreed, two EU audits have been passed concerning state control over the production of fish, poultry and products made of them.
According to the State Consumer Service, in 2021, work continues to expand exports in various commodity items, including poultry, livestock, beef and pork, milk and dairy products, honey, apples, blueberries and cherries, legumes, onions, wheat flour, fish and fish products, reproductive material.
