Import of goods in Jan-Mar 2023 in most important positions to previous period 2021
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
No cases or suspected cases of cholera have been registered in Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of Health in its Telegram channel, the results of tests of samples taken both from environmental objects and from patients with signs of acute intestinal infection are negative.
At the same time, the ministry specified that 38 monitoring points of water of surface water bodies (river and sea) along the channel and sea coast in Odessa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions were formed in the regions affected by flooding.
Oil prices are weakly rising on Wednesday after a jump of more than 3% in the previous session.
The previous day, the growth of quotations was contributed by the reduction of one of the key interest rates of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), as well as reports that Beijing is preparing additional measures to stimulate economic activity in the country.
August Brent crude futures on London’s ICE Futures Exchange stood at $74.45 a barrel by 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, up $0.16 (0.22%) from the previous session’s close. Those contracts rose $2.45 (3.4%) to $74.29 a barrel on Tuesday.
The price of WTI futures for July oil grew by $0.08 (0.12%) to $69.5 per barrel at electronic trades of New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) by that time. Contracts rose $2.3 (3.4%) to $69.42 a barrel in the previous session.
“China’s move toward new stimulus provides support for the oil market,” said Schneider Electric analyst Robbie Fraser, quoted by Market Watch. – The Chinese central bank’s key interest rate cut gives hope that policy easing could translate into stronger economic growth this year.”
As reported, the NBK on Tuesday cut the seven-day reverse repo rate to 1.9 percent from 2 percent.
The oil market was also supported by Bloomberg’s report that the U.S. authorities plan to replenish the strategic oil reserve (SPR) by 12 million barrels this year.
Traders’ attention on Wednesday is directed to the meeting of the Federal Reserve. Investors expect that a significant weakening of inflation will allow the Fed to pause in the cycle of tightening monetary policy and keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged (at 5-5.25%) at the June 13-14 meeting, notes Market Watch.
The Ministry of Veterans ineffectively managed the activities of the subordinate centers, as a result of which they provided assistance mainly to other categories of citizens, numerous violations in the activities of the centers were revealed to the amount of 4.6 million UAH.
As the Accounting Chamber reports on its website, this is evidenced by the results of the audit of the effectiveness of the use of state budget funds aimed at the implementation of measures for the rehabilitation and re-adaptation of victims of the Revolution of Dignity, the anti-terrorist operation and the repulsion of the armed aggression against Ukraine.
“Yes, due to the lack of approved standards and protocols for psychological rehabilitation, the victims were treated in sanatoriums with physical therapy, phyto tea and mineral water, spending an average of 13.4 thousand UAH per person per course,” the chamber quotes Deputy Chairman of the Accounting Chamber Andrei Maisner.
Meisner notes that the services of psychological rehabilitation were provided by sanatoriums, which did not meet the established criteria: “psychologists without higher education in specific areas of vocational training, the premises of the institutions are not designed for persons with disabilities, etc.”.
In general, the auditors point out that in 2019-2022 the costs for psychological rehabilitation were reduced in 2.7 times (from 623 to 232 million UAH), while 1.8 times increased the amount of funds for spa treatment (from almost 338 million UAH to 624 million UAH). At the same time for four years 62.5 million hryvnia were not used and returned to the state budget.
“This happened because of overestimating the average cost in the planning of expenditures and allocation of allocations among the administrators of the lower level of funds. And also because of the delay of the Ministry of Veterans with the approval of the procedure of formation, maintenance and access to the Registers of providers of psychological rehabilitation services for veterans and members of their families. Another reason for the return of funds is the participation of these individuals in a large-scale war,” the auditors emphasize.
In addition, the Accounts Chamber emphasizes that the Ministry of Veterans has not developed and approved standards for the provision of psychological rehabilitation services. While providing assistance the psychologists did not use international protocols as none of them are implemented in Ukraine. As a result, the victims received substandard services, and the state budget spent UAH 178 million ineffectively.
Global shipments of personal computers (PCs) and tablets will decline by 15.2% to 384.8 million units in 2023, research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts.
IDC significantly worsened its forecast from March, when it expected sales to decline 11.2% to 403.1 million units.
Demand for PCs and tablets continues to weaken, and many macroeconomic indicators have either deteriorated or remained unchanged over the past few months, IDC noted, explaining the lowered forecast.
The organization’s analysts, however, expect the market to recover in 2024, forecasting an increase in PC and tablet shipments to 403.1 million units. By the end of 2027, IDC predicts shipments will reach 425 million units.
“The situation in the global economy remains challenging, with consumers restricting spending and companies postponing purchases,” IDC said in its review.
PC sales are projected by the organization to decline 14.1% to 250.8 million units in 2023, while tablets will drop 17.1% to 134 million units.
Ahead of a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction, G7 Ambassadors met with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, representatives of Transparency International, DEJURE Foundation, Anti-Corruption Action Centre and RISE Network Ukraine to discuss the importance of autonomous local governance, strengthening anti-corruption institutions and transparency of reconstruction funding, the G7 Reform Support Team in Ukraine said in a statement.
“Decentralization has been a major reform success for Ukraine, and autonomous local government has become a key part of Ukraine’s resistance and sustainability. It is important that local governments are empowered and equal partners in reconstruction planning,” the microblogging Twitter stresses.
It is noted that in order to get the most out of reconstruction funding, transparency and accountability are key. Citizens, civic organizations, and the media must have access to data on reconstruction plans, funding allocations, and implementation, and journalists, civic organizations, and anti-corruption agencies must be able to investigate the use of funds.
“Empowered local authorities, transparent and accountable funding, and strong anti-corruption institutions will all be needed to ensure that Ukraine’s reconstruction proceeds as quickly and effectively as possible,” the G7 Ambassadorial Group emphasized.
