Ukraine: state debt down in February 2019

Ukraine’s state and government-guaranteed debt, estimated in U.S. dollars, shrank by 0.02%, or by $10 million, to $78.24 billion, in February. The debt in the hryvnia equivalent over the period under review fell by 2.8%, or by UAH 60.02 billion ($2.2 billion), to UAH 2.112 trillion (nearly $78.3 billion), according to the Ukrainian Finance Ministry’s…

Azerbaijan: rail freight turnover to increase

The volume of freight turnover of railway transport in Azerbaijan is planned to be increased to 5.3 ton-kilometers in 2019, or by 17.7% YoY. According to government forecasts, the turnover will increase in subsequent years. As such, this figure will stand at 5.9 billion ton-kilometers in 2020, 6.6 billion ton-kilometers in 2021, and 7.4 billion…

Georgia: wine masterclass held in Japan

Sommeliers, distributors, restaurant and hospitality sector representatives attended a Georgian wine masterclass held in the Japanese city of Naha, announces the National Wine Agency of Georgia. About 60 guests attended the masterclass, where they had the opportunity to taste seven varieties of Georgian wine. An exhibition called “Georgia – Homeland of Wine” is taking place…

Ukraine: unemployment rate declining

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the number of registered unemployed in Ukraine decreased by 100 thousand people compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, and the unemployment rate shrank by 0.6%, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine reported. “According to the results of a sample survey of the population (households) on economic activity, the…

Ukraine: chocolate exports to EU up in 2018

Ukrainian producers in 2018 boosted chocolate exports to the European Union by 22.6% YoY, to EUR 41.2 million. Romania was a major buyer of Ukrainian chocolate products (4,900 tons of chocolate and cocoa products), the Pro-Consulting company’s press service said. Also, the largest buyers of Ukrainian chocolate were Hungary (2,600 tons) and Bulgaria (2,500 tons).…