Daily monitor

The National Communications Regulation Commission (NCRC) will not hold a tender for third-generation (3G) operators to receive licenses any sooner than March 2009.

Ukrnafta [UNAF UZ, Strong BUY] plans to sell 216.5 thsd mt of oil and 12.6 thsd mt of gas condensate at the Ukrainian Energy resources Auction 122 on October 21.

Three steelmakers of the Metinvest Group reportedly decreased output of semi-finished products by about 50%, from 340-370 thsd mt per month to 150-170 thsd mt per month.

Astarta [AST PW, BUY] has capacitated six self–owned sugar plants for the sugar processing campaign this season. Moreover, the company is going to launch sugar production at the Volynskiy plant through a lease agreement.

According to Ukrainian News, the Ministry of Ukraine has endorsed import quotas on raw cane sugar in the amount of 263 thsd mt for 2009 and 267 thsd mt for 2010. The Ministry amended article 1 of the law on tariff import quotas for raw cane sugar.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine transferred the Ministry of Industrial Policy of Ukraine authority for the management of state corporate rights for a number of enterprises. This includes 99.57% of the Odessa Port Plant, 75.22% of Turboatom, 50% of Azovmash, in addition to stakes in other companies.

The Ukrainian government has decided to implement markup ceilings for pharmaceuticals.

According to the Press Service of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Ukraine, local communications operators increased revenues from telecommunications services by 18% YoY for the period January-September 2008.

Three banks that rank among Ukraine’s major banks have taken action to increase the situation with regards to their respective liquidity.

The State Statistics Committee of Ukraine announced that unemployment in September stayed at the 1.8% level, the same as in August and July 2008.