Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has extended ban on export of unprocessed timber

The moratorium on the export of unprocessed timber from Ukraine, which was introduced on November 1, 2015, for 10 years, has been temporarily extended by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine until the end of the year in the form of a zero export quota.

“At the request of businesses, the government has made an important decision to temporarily ban the export of unprocessed timber. This is a necessary step to take care of people in winter, preserve the work of our enterprises, and reduce the burden on the environment,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on Friday on Telegram following her trip to the Rivne region.

She noted that the volume of logging in Ukraine has significantly decreased during the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. “Enterprises that could be operating are idle or working at minimum capacity due to a lack of wood. The army needs wood for its own needs. Life in rural communities, where firewood is a key resource for heating in winter, depends on the availability of wood,” the head of government wrote.

In addition, according to Svyrydenko, the war has caused significant damage to the environment, as part of the forests are temporarily occupied or damaged by hostilities. “Therefore, timber exports will create an additional burden on the environment,” the prime minister noted.

“The decision provides for export licensing – a zero quota until the end of the year. We continue to work on further steps to systematically address the timber shortage,” Svyrydenko said.

The head of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, Viktor Smal, previously told the agency that according to the law adopted in 2015, the moratorium on the export of unprocessed timber of all tree species, except pine (a 10-year moratorium was introduced for pine on January 1, 2017), will end on November 1, 2025.

Smal clarified that the extension of the moratorium for the duration of martial law and for another 10 years after it is provided for in the draft law on the timber market, which is currently being prepared for its first reading.
“In my opinion, 10 years is definitely enough to recover from all these shocks in terms of production and investment,” said the head of the State Forestry Agency.

He believes that the moratorium has been beneficial because a large number of production facilities have expanded and opened in Ukraine. “If we look at the structure of our exports, we will see that the depth of our wood processing leaves much to be desired. We should try to make not boards, not beams, not pallets, but cribs, kitchen chairs, tables, and export them,” Smal added.

As reported, in January-August 2025, Ukraine exported $1,131.3 million worth of wood and wood products, which is 15.5% more than in January-August 2024. However, during the same period, wood and wood products worth $160.5 million were imported, which is 8.8% more than in January-August 2024.

During this period, wood and other fibrous cellulose materials worth $186.2 million were exported (19.1% more than in January-August 2024), and $594.3 million worth were imported (1.7% less than in January-August 2024).

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Cabinet of Ministers has allowed ARMA to purchase military bonds worth UAH 1 bln, $32 mln, and EUR 4 mln

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the purchase by the National Agency for Finding, Tracing and Managing Assets (ARMA) of domestic government bonds “Military Bonds” worth UAH 1 billion, $32 million, and EUR 4 million.

The relevant order No. 1124-r of October 10 was published on the Government portal on Monday.

The purchase will be made using funds deposited in the agency’s accounts in national and foreign currency. As noted in the document, these are assets obtained as a result of corruption and other crimes.

According to the National Bank, the total portfolio of military bonds owned by individuals and legal entities as of October 1, 2025, amounted to UAH 169.8 billion.

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Cabinet simplifies access to sports prostheses for veterans

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allowed veterans to receive sports prostheses without additional certificates for participation in competitions, training, or personal rehabilitation, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced.

“Treatment for Ukrainian civilians released from Russian captivity. From now on, treatment at a sanatorium can be accompanied by one person — a family member or companion,” Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram following Wednesday’s government meeting.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decision at the meeting that should simplify the process of obtaining a sports prosthesis.

“It is no longer necessary to be a member of a sports organization or to participate in competitions included in state or regional calendars. From now on, veterans will be able to obtain a sports prosthesis without additional certificates, both for participation in competitions and for training or personal rehabilitation,” the prime minister added.

 

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Cabinet of Ministers approved voucher program of up to UAH 2 mln for IDPs who lost their homes in temporarily occupied territories

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution that will allow internally displaced persons who lived in the temporarily occupied territories to receive assistance of up to UAH 2 million to purchase a new home, according to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.

“We are launching a new support mechanism that will allow thousands of Ukrainians whose homes remain in the temporarily occupied territories to purchase their own homes. This is not just about housing — it is about regaining a sense of home, stability, and security. We already have agreements with international partners for $180 million. These are the first 3,700 families who will receive payments. We continue to work to ensure that every Ukrainian family affected by Russian aggression has access to state assistance,” said Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine — Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba.

The voucher will be provided as part of the expansion of the “eReconstruction” program developed by the Ministry of Development. The amount of assistance is up to UAH 2 million per person or family. The state will issue housing vouchers — electronic documents that will be stored in the State Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property.

The voucher can be used to purchase an apartment or house (or invest in its construction); pay the first installment or repay a mortgage.

Previously, internally displaced persons whose homes remained in the temporarily occupied territories could not take advantage of existing compensation programs. This was due to the inability to inspect the housing. Now, the state offers a separate form of support that allows them to purchase new homes in safer regions.

Initially, the program will be available to IDPs who have combatant status and persons with disabilities resulting from the war.

The program will start two months after the resolution is published. From then on, applications for assistance can be submitted through the “Dія” app, and later at administrative service centers or notaries. Verification will be carried out automatically through state registries. The application review period will be no more than 30 days.

Applications will be reviewed by commissions at local government bodies or military administrations.

The program may be financed from the state budget, international aid, loans and grants from partners, as well as possible reparations from the Russian Federation in the future.

It is specified that those who have other housing in the territory controlled by Ukraine (except for those where hostilities are taking place) or have already received monetary compensation or housing from the state will not be eligible for assistance under this program. Applications from persons who are under sanctions or have criminal records will also not be considered.

 

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Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is once again putting Odessa Port Plant up for sale

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to privatize the Odessa Port Plant (OPP), Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko announced.

“Today, we made a decision to privatize the Odessa Port Plant. The state-owned stake will be put up for an open electronic auction with a starting price of UAH 4.5 billion,” Sviridenko wrote on Telegram following Tuesday’s government meeting.

According to her, OPP is one of the largest chemical complexes in Ukraine, which before the war produced ammonia and urea and exported fertilizers, but since 2022, its main production has been shut down.

“The plant was operating partially, providing oxygen and nitrogen for critical needs and serving as a port hub. The enterprise must resume full-scale operations. This is only possible by attracting private owners and investments. The sale of OPZ will fill the budget, create new jobs, and provide Ukrainian farmers with access to domestic fertilizers,” the prime minister emphasized.

As reported by Taras Melnychuk, representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada, on Telegram, the terms of sale of the state’s 99.5667% stake in the authorized capital of Odesa Port Plant JSC at an electronic auction have been approved, which, in particular, provide for: the preservation of the company’s main activities; making investments in the form of capital investments for technical re-equipment and modernization (including energy modernization) of production in the total amount of at least UAH 500 million; repayment within twelve months from the date of transfer.

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Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine makes number of appointments and dismissals

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has temporarily appointed Oleg Tsilvik as Chairman of the State Export Control Service of Ukraine.
At the same time, Ihor Klymenko was dismissed from the position of Deputy Chairman of the State Agency of Ukraine for Development of Land Reclamation, Fishery and Food Programs, and Serhiy Dekhtyarenko was dismissed from the position of Deputy Chairman of the State Service of Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization.

 

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