One troy ounce=31.10 grams
The continuation of the trend towards the strengthening of the hryvnia that emerged at the beginning of the year in recent weeks has been maintained by a stable supply of foreign currency against the backdrop of a favorable external environment, according to the website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).
“The situation in the foreign exchange market was shaped by the following factors: a favorable external environment for Ukrainian exports, the forthcoming payment of annual taxes to the national budget, which stimulates businesses to sell foreign currency more actively, a weak growth of imports of goods and a low repatriation of dividends in foreign currency abroad, as well as net sales of foreign currency by the population,” the report says.
At the same time, according to the NBU, the inflow of foreign capital into government securities, which has been observed since mid-January, has now slowed down and does not play a significant role in strengthening the hryvnia exchange rate, the National Bank added.
In general, the NBU notes that fluctuations in the direction of strengthening that have been observed in recent weeks is a healthy market reaction to constant changes in the economic situation: under the influence of changes in the supply and demand balance, the national currency can both strengthen and weaken. In such circumstances, short-term forecasting for the hryvnia exchange rate is difficult.
The EU is aware of the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to ban Austrian journalist Christian Wehrschutz from entering Ukraine and expects that such decisions will be taken in accordance with fundamental rights and freedoms, including the European Convention on Human Rights. The EU press secretary said in his comments, handed over to Interfax-Ukraine in Brussels on Friday.
Having informed that this fact is known in Brussels, the agency’s source noted that the EU attaches great importance to freedom of expression and the media. We expect that any of such decisions will include careful consideration of the rights to freedom of expression. We also expect the Ukrainian authorities to refrain from imposing any unnecessary restrictions on the free flow of information and freedom of the media, the agency’s source said.
At the same time, the press secretary recalled that the EU fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Protection of national security and citizens should be carried out in full compliance with fundamental rights and freedoms, including the European Convention on Human Rights, he stressed.
Earlier, First Deputy Head of the Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy Olha Chervakova reported that the Security Service of Ukraine had prohibited head of the Ukrainian bureau of the Austrian ORF TV channel Christian Wehrschutz from entering the country because of the “threat he poses to national security.”
Ukraine in January-February 2019 increased exports of poultry by 43% compared to the same period of 2018, to 63,600 tonnes, the State Fiscal Service has reported.
At the same time, according to its data, in monetary terms exports of these products increased by 28%, to $88.2 million.
Imports of poultry in the first two months of the year increased by 5.8%, to 21,500 tonnes, in monetary terms decreased slightly to $8.6 million.
According to the service, in January-February 2019 pork exports decreased by 68.8%, to 114 tonnes. This product was delivered for $230,000, which is 3.7 times less than the figure for the same period last year.
During this period, import of pork to Ukraine increased by 4.4 times, to 4,400 tonnes, in monetary terms it amounted to $8 million, which is 5 times more than in January-February 2018.
The Swedish company IKEA, the world’s largest retailer of furniture and household goods, has to adjust its plans to enter the Ukrainian market due to the delayed construction of the Ocean Mall trade and entertainment center in Kyiv, in particular, the company is considering alternative ways for launching business in Ukraine.
“IKEA confirms its desire to change the daily life of Ukrainians for the better by offering affordable products and solutions for home. Due to the delay in construction and obtaining permits for the Ocean Mall shopping center, the company is considering alternative options that will allow it entering the Ukrainian market as soon as possible,” the company told Interfax-Ukraine.
The report says more detailed information regarding the release of IKEA in Ukraine “will be made public as soon as it becomes available.”
As reported, in September 2018, IKEA officially announced the opening of the first store in Ukraine in a city store format in 2019. The object should have been opened in Ocean Mall in Kyiv.
