The unreasoned steps of politicians in Kyiv could result in problems with the shipment of metal made in Donetsk region via Mariupol port, Head of Donetsk Regional Council Andriy Shyshatsky has said.
“Today we have to decide how to supply metal from Donetsk region abroad, via what port, in the current situation. If it were Odesa or Mykolaiv, this will increase the cost of transportation,” he said in an interview with the Donbass television channel.
He said that the current situation the state of Ukrainian metal companies and the low price market which the sale of products at a price lower than their cash cost, sooner or later will result in the stoppage of production facilities.
“Today when taking certain steps Kyiv should remember about the economy of Donbas and Dnipropetrovsk – those regions where they have large industry – metal, chemical, coal and engineering,” he said.
He added that it is expected that the economy will decline by around 4% in the first quarter of 2014, while the comparison base of 2013 is low.
“If the economy in the region starts collapsing, the current situation will be only a prelude to people’s protests. Responsibility lies with the central authorities. If they cannot cope with the situation, they should give power to the local authorities,” he said.
Exports from Mariupol port a shipped via Kerch Strait, which is now under the control of Russia.
