Business news from Ukraine

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK COULD PROVIDE EUR2 BLN ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE

The European Investment Bank (EIB), which already approved a EUR668 million immediate financial support package for Ukraine on March 4, may increase assistance and develop an additional support package for the country’s reconstruction after the war end, bank president Werner Hoyer said.
“We are working hard to provide more support — I envisage a package for a total of EUR2 billion from the EIB — for critical infrastructure and to rebuild what the Russian army has knocked down, in a free and independent Ukraine. We also hope to announce in the coming days further financing to support Ukraine’s neighbors in and outside the European Union as they offer shelter and protection to refugees fleeing war,” he said.
“The European Investment Bank made the first two disbursements totaling EUR129 million to the government of Ukraine for the most urgent needs. These funds are part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response of which EUR668 million was approved by the EIB Board of Directors on March 4. The financing benefits from the EU guarantee under the External Lending Mandate and complements other initiatives announced by EU institutions,” the report says.
“We are grateful to the European Investment Bank for close cooperation and efficient use of existing mechanisms to support Ukraine in these difficult times. We appreciate the swift actions, which allowed us to get essential funds for meeting the country’s urgent financial needs. We also hope to discuss new projects aimed at rebuilding economic and social infrastructure in the country in the near future,” Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said.

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EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK TO GIVE EUR 49 MLN LOAN FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT MODERNIZATION OF UNIVERSITIES

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided EUR 49 million investments to carry out a comprehensive energy-efficient modernisation of the majority of their buildings of six Ukrainian universities under the Ukraine Higher Education project and they will also receive the E5P grant in the amount of EUR 10 million.
“Six Ukrainian universities will carry out a comprehensive energy-efficient modernisation of the majority of their buildings with the support of EUR 49 million investments of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the E5P grant in the amount of EUR 10 million,” the EIB and the Ministry of Education of Ukraine said in a press release on Tuesday.
Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Lviv Polytechnic National University, National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, National University Yuri Kondratiuk Poltava Polytechnic, Sumy State University and Vinnytsia National Technical University actively participate in the Phase I of the Ukraine Higher Education Project to improve their teaching and research facilities and dormitories.
“They will soon be joined by eight more higher education establishments, which were selected on a competitive basis to take part in the Phase II of the Project,” the bank and the ministry said in the press release.
The implementation of thermal modernisation works at the Phase I universities is expected to start in the fall of 2022.
The EIB is investing EUR 120 million in a comprehensive thermal refurbishment of six Ukrainian universities in the framework of the Ukraine Higher Education Project, which is an integral part of the joint EIB and EU support provided to Ukraine in the field of energy efficiency. The project is also co-financed by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco) in the amount of EUR 30 million.

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EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK GIVES EUR30 MLN CREDIT TO PRAVEX

The European Investment Bank and Pravex Bank have signed a EUR30 million loan agreement to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and mid-cap companies in Ukraine, a joint release said.
According to it, the loan is part of the efforts of the European Union initiative Team Europe to respond to the consequences of the coronavirus crisis.
“Cooperation with the EIB constitutes an important step in helping our bank reach its strategic goal to expand financing of small and medium enterprises, as well as mid-caps. This credit line will help us support our clients from the real economy, providing them with the affordable loans they need in order to mitigate the economic consequences of the pandemic crisis they have faced,” chairman of the management board of Pravex Bank Gianluca Corrias said.
Pravex Bank was founded in 1992. Its sole shareholder at the beginning of 2020 was Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. (Italy).
According to the National Bank, as of September 1, 2020, in terms of total assets (UAH 6.539 billion), Pravex Bank ranked 26th among 75 banks operating in the country.

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EIB TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EUR 20 MLN TO UKREXIMBANK

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide additional financing, namely a EUR 20 million loan, to be on-lent to local private businesses with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expanding the increase the funding limit to EUR 280 million.
“The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with the State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (Ukreximbank) to increase the funding limit of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Support Facility project to EUR 280 million,” the EIB said in a press release on Friday.
“Additional financing, namely a EUR 20 million loan, will be provided via a parallel cross-currency swap in Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) and will be on-lent to local private businesses with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” the EIB said.
The operation is part of Team Europe’s overall response to the COVID-19 crisis, which aims to support the sustainable social and economic recovery of the region.
“Improved access to affordable finance in local currency is one of our main priorities, especially at a time when SMEs need strong support to overcome the challenges and the liquidity shortfall created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Head of the EIB Resident Representation for Ukraine Jean-Erik de Zagon said.
Chairman of the Management Board of Ukreximbank Yevhen Metsger said that the bank has a clear goal to direct additional financing to meet the specific and urgent needs of Ukrainian companies.
The EIB is an EU institution. It is owned by the EU member states. The EIB provides long-term financing.
The EIB has been operating in Ukraine since 2007. The country accounts for 60% of the bank’s lending activities in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Ukreximbank, the sole owner of which is the state, was established in 1992.

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EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK TO PROVIDE UKRAINE WITH EUR 50 MLN FOR VACCINATION

The European Investment Bank will provide Ukraine with EUR 50 million for vaccination against COVID-19, Deputy Health Minister Ihor Ivaschenko said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Monday.
“Last week, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a president’s order authorizing Health Minister Maksym Stepanov to sign a letter amending the financial agreement between Ukraine and the EIB,” he said.
“The government has asked the EIB to redistribute part of the funds and channel them to the vaccination of the population in Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers has received confirmation of the provision of EUR 50 million, which will be used for the purchase of vaccines, equipment for the refrigerating chain, as well as logistics. Relevant amendments to the agreement will be signed in the near future,” the deputy minister said.

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EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK INVESTS OVER EUR 1 BLN IN UKRAINE IN 2020

The European Investment Bank (EIB) invested over EUR 1 billion in Ukraine in 2020 alone. This represents an increase of more than 50% compared to 2019, the press service of the bank has reported.
“We delivered record investment of over EUR 1 billion in Ukraine in 2020, focusing our operations on support for conflict-affected regions of eastern Ukraine, sustainable and green infrastructure, digitalization, innovation and business recovery after COVID-19,” the press service said, citing EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for operations in Ukraine.
She said that Ukraine is the main recipient country of EIB investments in the Eastern Neighbourhood, accounting for more than 60% of the EIB’s lending activity in the region and supporting the European Union’s policies in its neighbourhood.
According to the report, total EIB investment in Ukraine has now reached EUR 7.5 billion.
The EIB financed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure they can survive the crisis and continue to provide jobs. It also invested in infrastructure rehabilitation and development, innovation and improvements in public transport and key public services such as education and the postal service.
In 2020, the EIB supported 75 SMEs and mid-caps and helped sustain close to 18,500 jobs in Ukraine.

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