Business news from Ukraine

GROYSMAN ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF INVESTMENT SUPPORT OFFICE IN UKRAINE NEXT WEEK

KYIV. Sept. 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has announced that an investment support office will start working in Ukraine from next week.

“The United States has inspired us to establish an office for support of investment, which will start working next week,” he said during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.

The office will be engaged in business support and provision of analytical information on the state of affairs in the business environment, he said. Groysman added that Ukraine has great potential for deepening cooperation with the U.S. in terms of investment. Creating a normal business climate is one of the government’s priorities, he said.

Groysman mentioned another large-scale project for the reform of the Ukrainian customs, which was developed jointly with the U.S., saying it is also much awaited.

In turn, Pritzker said that she welcomed the arrival of a new tranche disbursed by the International Monetary Fund and the U.S. financial support worth $1 billion in loan guarantees. She expressed hope that the Ukrainian government would continue efforts to improve the business climate in the country.

POROSHENKO INVITES U.S. COMPANIES TO JOIN NATIONAL INVESTMENT COUNCIL

KYIV. Sept 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has expressed appreciation to the United States for the decision on loan guarantees and invited U.S. companies to join the National Investment Council.

“The last decision on granting loan guarantees from the U.S. government is the recognition of our achievements, as well as the decision of the International Monetary Fund to issue the next tranche to us,” Poroshenko said at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. business representatives in Kyiv.

He also welcomes the plans of the leading U.S. Corporations such as Cargill, Bunge, General Electric to increase their investment in Ukraine and invited the U.S. companies to join the National Investment Council.

Pritzker, in turn, speaking about the third visit to Ukraine over two years, noted the great efforts and potential of Ukraine in carrying out reforms.

“Having started key economic reforms two years ago, your country has continued the implementation of the crucial IMF program for securing financial aid not only from the IMF, but also from the United States. You have created institutions to ensure the rule of law and struggle against corruption. You have improved public procurement and ensured transparent asset declaration of civil servants,” she said.

EGGS MLN.PCS

26

1 Excluding the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the anti-terrorist operation zone. 2 Data can be corrected.

MILK THSD.T

25

1 Excluding the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the anti-terrorist operation zone. 2 Data can be corrected.

MEAT (IN LIVE WEIGHT) THSD.T

24

1 Excluding the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the anti-terrorist operation zone. 2 Data can be corrected.

U.S. GRANTS EXEMPTION FOR ANTONOV AIRLINES’ CHARTER SERVICES

KYIV. Sept 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted Ukrainian operator Antonov Company (Antonov Airlines) broad air charter exemptions for flights to and from the US, according to Air Cargo Week.

These exemptions follow the U.S.-Ukraine Open Skies agreement which was concluded by July 14, 2015, and became effective earlier this year. The U.S. DOT has also tentatively granted Antonov Company a foreign air carrier permit.

The Antonov Company no longer needs obtain U.S. DOT statements of authorization, following non-objections from U.S. operators, but normal U.S. Customs notifications and approvals are required for flights.

Commenting on the decision to Interfax-Ukraine, Antonov Airlines’ management said that the U.S. sets quotas for foreign airlines on charter freight transportation to safeguard U.S. companies’ commercial interests.

“Antonov Airlines transports oversized and superheavy cargo, which cannot be handled by U.S. operators,” the source said.

Its fleet consists of seven An-124-100 Ruslan, one An-225 Mriya and one An-22 Antei aircraft.

Since 2006, Antonov Airlines has been fulfilling a contract under NATO’s Strategic Airlift Interim Solution program, servicing 18 NATO and EU member states. In December 2014, the contract was extended until the end of 2016.