Daily monitor

Interfax-Ukraine reported steel production numbers for September.

Slavutych [SLAV UZ, BUY] is going to increase its statutory fund by 15% to USD 201.2 mln.

The National Communication Regulation Commission (NCRC) of Ukraine has announced its decision to award four new licenses for the use of additional radio-frequency bands in the range of 900 MHz.

The State Property Fund (SPF) of Ukraine has announced the illegitimacy of the decision made earlier by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers about transferring the controlling stake in AZOVMASH to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Astarta [AST PW, BUY], a vertically integrated agricultural holding, is going to build silo facilities with a total storage capacity of 0.2-0.25 mln mt of grain by the end of 2011.

Khartsyzk Pipes & Tubes [HRTR UZ, N/R] produced 39.2 thsd mt of pipes in September, bringing the 9M08 total to 235 thsd mt, down 46% YoY.

In August 2008, Ukraine’s imports of pharmaceutical increased by 34.% YoY. In value terms, it increased by USD 50.618 mln to reach USD 197.364 mln.

On September 23, 2008 at their AGM, Slavutych [SLAV UZ, BUY] shareholders approved the results of an additional share issue.

Zaporizhstal [ZPST UZ, Strong BUY] decreased crude steel output to 250-270 thsd mt in September, according to Metal Courier; this is about 35-40% below the average 8M08 level of 417 thsd mt per month.

Information released by the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine (Goskomstat) reveals that the cement production of slate has increased 6.3% to reach 63.8 mln tiles in August 2008, compared with output for August 2007.