Stock indices of Japan and Australia rose at the auctions on Monday, following the US stock market, which confidently strengthened at the end of last week.
At the same time, the exchanges of China, Hong Kong and South Korea were closed. China celebrates the autumnal equinox, while Korea celebrates Chuseok.
American stock indexes closed trading on Friday with active growth, ending the first week of the last four in positive territory. Investors followed the statements of the world’s central banks and signals about global inflation.
This week, market participants are waiting for data from the US Department of Labor on the dynamics of consumer prices in August, which will be published on Tuesday, as well as data on industrial production, retail sales and capital investment in China in August, which will be released on Friday.
Meanwhile, outbreaks of coronavirus in China and the restrictive measures introduced in connection with them remain a cause for concern, writes MarketWatch.
The Japanese Nikkei 225 closed up 1.16%. The indicator reached its maximum value in two weeks.
The growth leaders among the components of the index are the shares of retailer Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (+4.7%), providing online medical services M3 Inc. (+3.9%) and rail and bus operator Keisei Electric Railway Co. (+3.6%).
Asia’s largest clothing retailer Fast Retailing rose 2.3%, while automaker Nissan Motor Co. – by 2.45%.
The Australian S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.02%.
The market value of the world’s largest mining companies BHP and Rio Tinto increased by 3.5% and 1.8%, respectively.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia rose 0.8%, Westpac Banking Corp. – by 1.04%, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. – by 1.35%.
Since July 5, Australia has marked tariffs on Ukrainian imports of goods, in addition to alcohol, fuel and tobacco, as a support package for a year, according to the website of the Australian Department of Trade and Tourism.
As indicated by the agency, we are talking about reducing tariffs from 5% to zero for a period of 12 months for a number of goods that are produced or produced in Ukraine. At the same time, it is clarified that duties equivalent to excises remain in force, for example, those that apply to fuel, alcohol and tobacco products.
According to the report, such measures from Australia and other states support the economy of Ukraine and expand its trading opportunities, and they are also important for Ukraine’s recovery in the near and long term.
According to the report, in 2021, Ukrainian exports to Australia amounted to $122 million.
Australian Prime Minister Entino Albenizi announced that Ukraine will be provided with additional military-technical assistance worth $100 million.
“Today we are announcing an additional $100 million in military-technical assistance. In total, we have already provided $390 million,” he said Sunday at a briefing in Kyiv after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We also provide an additional 14 armored personnel carriers and 20 Bushmaster armored vehicles. Thus, the total number of Bushmasters is 60 units,” he said.
According to the prime minister, Australia will also provide additional military equipment, drones.
“We will also provide additional assistance to the border troops of Ukraine,” he said.
According to the prime minister, “we will also reduce duties on Ukrainian goods. We will join the work of the International Court of Justice, announce additional sanctions and travel bans against 16 Russian ministers and big businessmen.”
Australia, according to the prime minister, will also ban the import of Russian gold.
The Ukrainian delegation during the WTO ministerial conference held about two dozen bilateral talks on possible trade liberalization and removal of existing barriers, in particular, in trade in agricultural products, Deputy Economy Minister – Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka said.
“The main conclusion is that the world believes in Ukraine and is ready to open markets for Ukrainian products. This means that the world believes in our victory over the aggressor,” he wrote on Facebook after the conference.
Kachka also said that Ukraine has sent a request to the European Free Trade Association (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) to update the free trade agreement, and it will be considered next week within the framework of the EFTA institute.
According to the trade representative, he discussed further steps to liberalize trade, having carried out preparatory work right at the conference, with Canadian Minister of International Trade Mary Ng.
Kachka added that he agreed with the Minister of Trade of Australia in a few days after the conference to discuss in detail the possibilities of liberalizing bilateral trade (GSP and FTA).
The Ukrainian trade representative also said that he had discussed the conclusion of an agreement on digital trade with UK Secretary for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
“The same issue – trade liberalization and digital trade – were relevant in a conversation with the Minister of Trade of Singapore. Singapore is ready to become a hub for trade in Ukrainian products in Asia,” Kachka added.
According to him, at a meeting with the Minister of Trade of Senegal, he emphasized that Ukraine is doing everything to increase exports and feed Africa.
“Senegal is chairing the African Union this year and their understanding of the true causes of food problems is very important,” the Ukrainian trade representative said.
AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY, SWITZERLAND, TRADE LIBERALIZATION
On Monday, April 18, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrsky met foreign rescue colleagues who arrived in Borodyanka (Kyiv region).
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, 11 professional rescuers from the United States, Australia and Germany have expressed a desire to come to Ukraine on a volunteer basis and help Ukrainian rescuers. In the near future, 1 more Polish representative will join the team.
It is noted that now they will work in Borodyanka, where they will be involved in dismantling the rubble and deblocking buildings.
The Australian Government has announced further military support to the Government of Ukraine in response to Russia’s relentless and illegal aggression and an additional A$26.5 million worth of A$26.5 million ($19.4 million at current exchange rates) for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“This brings Australia’s total military assistance to date to approximately A$191.5 million (approximately $143 million),” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defense Secretary Peter Dutton said in a joint press release. (Peter Dutton) Friday.
They indicated that the support is in addition to the $38 million worth of 20 Bushmaster armored personnel carriers that were announced free of charge to Ukraine earlier in the day.
The release clarifies that the government will not disclose specific details of the new aid package or delivery scheme at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and other partners.
“Our government will continue to identify opportunities for further military assistance where it can quickly provide the necessary capabilities to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Australia may be thousands of miles away, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against this illegal incursion, providing weapons, equipment and even energy carriers,” the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Australia emphasized.
As reported, in addition to military support, Australia’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine at the end of March amounted to almost $50 million, as well as 70,000 tons of thermal coal.
