The Kyiv authorities have increased funding for the Kyiv Defender program by UAH 1.26 billion, which will be used to support the capital’s security and defense forces, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
“At an extraordinary meeting, the Kyiv City Council has once again increased assistance to our defenders. In particular, the deputies voted to increase funding for the city’s targeted program “Kyiv Defender” by UAH 1 billion 260 million. These funds will be used to provide logistical support for the security and defense forces,” Klitschko wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.
He clarified that the funds will be used “to purchase vehicles, UAVs, optical sights, night vision devices, repair and restore equipment, and other necessary things. This is a subvention, we transfer money to military units.”
Klitschko also said that the Department of Transport Infrastructure has been allocated more than UAH 1.2 billion to regulate fares for urban passenger transport, “because the price of a trip of UAH 8 has not corresponded to the cost of travel for a long time.”
“Since we are not raising the price, and transport companies need to work, we must provide them with this opportunity,” Klitschko said.
The Swedish government is proposing to allocate SEK333 million (about $30 million at the current exchange rate) for special export credit guarantees for companies trading with Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy announced on Tuesday.
According to the release, Swedish officials have included the relevant initiative in the draft budget for 2024, and the document is awaiting approval.
“The fact that Sweden will insure against risks in Ukraine starting next year is an important signal. This means that the investment insurance market in our country, despite all the security challenges, is starting to work. We are very grateful to the Swedish government and hope that this decision will be supported by the Riksdag,” First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said.
The ministry clarified that the guarantees will be covered by the Swedish Export Credit Agency. They will apply to exports by Swedish companies of goods that can be classified as development assistance and will be applied to transactions for up to three years, but no later than the end of 2026.
The Ministry of Economy reminded that earlier, the export credit agencies of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan had already confirmed their participation in political risk insurance for their companies’ operations in Ukraine. The Polish state-owned Export Credit Insurance Corporation (KUKE) is also ready to insure Ukrainian and international investors.
Energy imports, forecast, billion dollars
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
The truck market in Ukraine in January-September of this year increased by 70% compared to the same period in 2022 – up to 3.5 thousand units, in particular, in September the increase was 72%, according to the information and analytical group AUTO-Consulting.
“The positive news for the truck market in September is the strong demand for most segments of vehicles. Trucks were actively bought, ordered and received. Therefore, the result of 72% was quite natural. In addition, the business continues to rebuild its logistics and expand its own fleet,” the company said in a statement on its website on Tuesday.
At the same time, it is stated that growth is recorded by almost all operators, “but it is already becoming clear that a new leader of the Ukrainian truck market has taken the place of MAZ and KAMAZ.”
AUTO-Consulting notes that Swedish Scania has been leading in sales for four months in a row with a strong lead over its competitors.
“In September, Scania took 23.4% of the Ukrainian market, and 38% in the segment over 16 tons. In fact, we can say that it was Scania that took the market share of MAZ and KAMAZ, which are deprived of access to the Ukrainian market,” the report says.
Experts also note an almost threefold increase in sales compared to last year for MAN and Iveco, as well as active sales of DAF and Ford Tucks.
“Peugeot, Renault and Ford have begun to develop new segments, increasingly offering their vehicles instead of GAZ and Chinese manufacturers. Tractors and dump trucks are the top sellers, but many interesting projects are being implemented in the utilities and energy sectors. And here is a great merit of Ukrainian manufacturers of superstructures, who are actively experimenting with new chassis,” the experts say.
The U.S. House of Representatives has removed Kevin McCarthy from the post of speaker of the lower house of Congress, BBC reports.
The result was obtained after a tense but lengthy roll call, during which each member was required to enter their choice into the record.
About 216 members, including eight Republicans, voted to remove the California congressman from the speaker’s chair.
Another 210 representatives, all Republicans, voted to retain McCarthy.
This is a huge victory for the rebellious faction of right-wing Republicans led by Matt Gaetz of Florida.
The European Parliament has voted in favor of revising the EU budget for 2021-2027, which provides for the creation of a special fund of EUR 50 billion to help Ukraine.
According to the press service of the European Parliament, the amendments on the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027 were approved by 393 votes to 136 and 92 abstentions.
“Our goal was an ambitious but realistic proposal for the MFF review, and we managed to keep it focused but comprehensive. We aim to stabilize the situation in Ukraine with a new EUR 50 billion fund while supporting the EU economy,” said MEP Jan Olbricht.
In her turn, MEP Margarida Marquez noted that today the Parliament has identified the financial resources needed for the next four years.
“We urge the Rada to join us in the negotiations. By December 31, 2023, we want to have adequate funds to support Ukraine and continue to mitigate the social and economic consequences of the war, as well as rising inflation and living costs,” she said.
