Banks of Ukraine in January 2022 saw UAH 7.1 billion of net profit, which is 76% more than in the same period of 2020 (UAH 4.1 billion), the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has reported.
“Revenue of banks in January grew by 34%, to UAH 24.9 billion, expenses – by 23%, to UAH 17.8 billion,” the regulator said.
The European Business Association (EBA) conducted an express survey of 53 executives of the association’s member companies, during which 90% reported continuing to work as usual.
“According to the results of the express survey conducted by the association last night (on the eve of Russia’s decision), about 90% of company executives reported that they continue to work as usual. Of these, about 70% of companies already have plans B for emergency situations. At the same time, 15% report readiness for relocation, but remain in Ukraine and continue to follow the course of events,” the association said in a release on Tuesday.
“Only 3% of business leaders reported going abroad, another 11% – about the departure of their families, however, some did this at the request of the head offices of the companies,” the EBA said.
“The self-possession and strength of our companies, which continue to work and believe in a better future for Ukraine, is extremely impressive. Responsible business has always been an active participant in important events in the country, takes care of its employees and their families, supports the army and society. Business believes in Ukraine! Therefore we hope that the state will also declare its support by preventing pressure on transparent business,” the press service said, citing EBA Executive Director Anna Derevyanko.
The EBA offices in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv also continue to operate as usual, the EBA added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) is withdrawing Charge d’Affaires for Ukraine in Russia Vasyl Pokotylo for consultations due to the recognition by Russia of the independence of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are not controlled by the Ukrainian government.
“Due to the adoption by the Russian leadership of unlawful decisions to recognize the ‘independence’ of the quasi-formations created by it in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine the so-called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ and ‘Donetsk People’s Republic,’ Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine in Russia Vasyl Pokotylo was summoned to Ukraine for consultations,” the MFA press service said on Tuesday.
The German Foreign Ministry issued an updated information bulletin on Saturday, which urges citizens not to visit Ukraine unnecessarily.
“It is recommended to refrain from trips to Ukraine. German nationals are urgently requested to leave the country now,” the document says.
It is noted that “tension between Russia and Ukraine” due to the massive presence of Russian military forces near the Ukrainian border “is growing again.”
“A military confrontation is possible at any time,” the bulletin says.
Since the beginning of 2021/22 (July-June) and as of February 21, Ukraine has exported 42.54 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops, which is 37.3% higher than the figures for the same date of the previous year.
According to the Information and Analytical Portal of the Agribusiness Complex of Ukraine, 17.85 million tonnes of wheat have been exported to date (34.0% more compared to the same date in 2020/21). Taking into account the restriction on its export at the level of 25.3 million tonnes, introduced on October 19, 2021 by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukrainian exporters can supply another 7.45 million tonnes of wheat to foreign markets (29.5% of the limit).
Ukraine for the specified period exported 5.57 million tonnes of barley (40.8% more), 18.68 million tonnes of corn (41.9% more) and 66,300 tonnes of flour (27.2% less).
As of this date, 158,700 tonnes of rye were also exported, which is 94 times higher than the figure for the previous year.
The Cabinet of Ministers has provided funding for the state-owned enterprise National Project Air Express to stop the implementation of a project of passenger railway communication between Kyiv and Boryspil airport. According to an explanatory note to the document, this will minimize Ukraine’s losses associated with the termination of credit and commercial agreements concluded between the SOE National Project Air Express and the China National Complete Engineering Corporation together with the Export-Import Bank of China.
It is expected that as a result of the resumption of negotiations and termination of agreements, about $73.7 million can be returned to the Ukrainian side.
The explanatory note also states that at the moment the SOE National Project Air Express is not solvent, and in order for the enterprise to be able to terminate the contracts under the mentioned project, it is necessary to pay off debts on salaries and payments to the state budget, as well as accumulate funds for participation in litigation.
In particular, the state-owned enterprise National Project Air Express has arrears in wages – UAH 831,000, in payment of personal income tax – UAH 341,000, in military fee – UAH 28,500, and in single social security tax – UAH 222,000.
As reported, in Ukraine for a long time there was an unrealized national project Air Express – railway passenger communication Kyiv-Boryspil International Airport, construction of other infrastructure facilities in Kyiv region. For its implementation in 2011, under state guarantees, a loan agreement was concluded with the Export Import Bank of China in the amount of $372.3 million. CCEC was appointed as a general contractor for the turnkey construction works.
In June 2015, it became known that Ukraine and China were ready to discuss the possibility of redirecting credit funds provided for Air Express to other projects, and in March 2016, the Ministry of Infrastructure received the consent of Chinese partners to reformat the Air Express project.
On November 30, 2018, Ukrzaliznytsia launched an express train to Boryspil airport with a floating schedule of 21 to 30 voyages per day. To this end, about 4 km of non-electrified track was added to the existing railway infrastructure, including a 272 m long railway overpass over the M03 Kyiv-Kharkiv highway. Two passenger platforms were built. For operation on the route Central Kyiv Railway Station-Boryspil Airport, Ukrzaliznytsia repaired five rail buses manufactured by Pesa Bydgoszcz SA previously purchased for operation on other routes.
