Daily monitor

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) officially stated its support for prolonging the loans terms for agrarians until June 1, 2009. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliya Tymoshenko, the NBU confirmed its support at their last meeting on Tuesday.

According to a press release made by the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine, milk production in October has decreased 11.2% to 962.7 thsd mt. Moreover, in the last ten months, milk output has declined 3.9% YoY to 10.3 mln mt.

In October, the Zaporizhya car assembly plant (ZAZ) – the largest producer of cars in Ukraine – reduced output by 20% (or 4,560 cars) to 18,180 cars, compared to September’s output. This data was released in a statement issued by the company’s press service.

The AvtoKrAZ Holding Company [KRAZ UZ, N/R], a manufacturer of large-tonnage trucks based in Kremenchug (Poltava Region), is considering the options for creating a certificated national car-testing center.

In October 2008, revenues from the provision of telecommunications services in Ukraine decreased by 2.5% compared to September, falling from UAH 4,007.918 mln to UAH 3,909.746 mln. This information was released by the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine.

Nadra Bank has paid off a syndicated loan worth USD 130 mln on time, according to the bank`s press service. The syndicated loan was provided by BayernLB and Fortis Bank SA/NV. The credit was provided at a one-year rate of Libor + 1.5%. The initial amount of the loan was USD 100 mln, but the amount was subsequently increased during the term of its syndication.

Raiffeisen Bank Aval, which is the second-top Ukrainian bank by assets, has repaid a syndicated loan of USD 200 mln, according to a press release issued by the bank.

Kryukiv Railcar [KVBZ UZ, BUY] has announced that it intends to create a prototype passenger wagon with a double-lock braking system. It is hoped that the project will be completed by the beginning of 2009.

The Kernel Group [KER PW, N/R], a bulk oil and grain trader and one of the leading agricultural producers, released its financial results for the first quarter of the 2008/09marketing year. Key highlights: revenues increased by 4 times to USD 371.3 mln, EBITDA expanded by 3 times to USD 51.2 mln and net income jumped by 2.8 times to USD 23.2 mln.

On Thursday, November 13, the National Communication Regulation Commission (NCRC) announced it will start accepting applications from those companies wanting to purchase 3G mobile licenses in the UMTS standard in order to render 3G communications services.