Editor’s note: In this feature, the Kyiv Post brings together the most relevant events from morning headlines.
Ukrainian businessman
Oleg Bakhmatyuk sits down with Forbes Ukraine to discuss Ukrlandfarming –the country’s
largest agricultural holding – and the acquisitions that have made it the
eighth largest in the world. The full interview will be released Thursday, July
25, but an abstract is already available on the Forbes website.
The head of the political council of the Ukrainian National Assembly (UNA) party and the head of the Kyiv city organization UNA-UNSO Igor Mazur resigned over a bribery scandal, ZN.UA reports.
Kyiv metropolitan authorities announced that Wi-Fi will soon be available in the city’s metro system – but the service won’t be free, UBR reports.
Ukrainian companies MHP and Agromax complex can supply poultry to EU countries starting July 24, writes Delo.UA. Head of the Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine Oleksandr Bakumenko said the first Ukrainian poultry exports could begin in August or September. However, they shipments will start small, experts predict.
The OSCE has condemned attacks on Ukrainian journalists and is calling on authorities to enhance safety of the country’s journalists, Tyzhden reports. The representatives also expressed concern regarding a reported attack on journalists at a demonstration in the center of Kyiv on July 18, which was dispersed by the police who used force against media representatives.
The
Ministry of Revenues and Duties has suggested a new project, that would lower the value added tax from
20 to 9 percent, but introduce a turnover tax of 1-2 percent, writes Kommersant. This could more
than compensate for the lower VAT revenues, experts note.
The Economy Ministry estimates that the free
trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States could lift key export sectors
by 2-3 percent, writes Kommersant. The treaty has
yet to enter into force in all CIS states. Experts note the Economy Ministry
estimates are based on expectations that Russian energy imports will become
cheaper and no more trade wars will take place, which is far from certain.
Raiffeisen Bank Aval recorded a thirty-fold
jump in profits, to Hr 522 million ($64 million) in the first half of 2013, writes Kommersant. The company is
traded on the Ukrainian Exchange, and while analysts do not expect the
increased inflows to translate into dividends next year, the news may
nonetheless push the market up.
