DNIPROPETROVSK, June 12 – Ukrainian metal companies in July plan to increase steel smelting by 4.5% compared to expected production in June, to 2.3 million tons and steel roll production will grow by 5.6%, to 1.9 million tons.

KIEV, June 12 – Volyn-Cement (Zdolbuniv, Rivne region), part of Dyckerhoff AG (Germany), is planning to replace 40% of the coal used in production with fuel from solid waste, Company Director General Serhiy Dudziany told Interfax- Ukraine.

KIEV, June 12 – Naftogaz Ukrayiny says it is interested in cooperating with Malaysia's Petronas Company in the development of Black Sea deep water shelf in Ukraine.

KIEV, June 13 – The National Bank of Ukraine sold $45 million more than it bought on the interbank currency market in May, while in April and March the situation was reverse: purchases exceeded sales by $303.5 million and $152.5 million.

KIEV, June 14 – Luhanskteplovoz, owned by Russia's Transmashholding, has announced plans to dismiss 15% of its employees in 2012 and another 10% in 2013.

KIEV, June 14 - Ukraine could invest up to $25 billion by 2030 in the construction of new nuclear power facilities.

The country plans to build nuclear reactors with combined capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, according to the basic scenario of a draft updated energy strategy posted on the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry's website.

KIEV, June 10 – Ukraine will impose duties on the export of wheat (of 9%, or at least EUR 17 per ton), corn (12%, or at least EUR 20 per ton), and barley (14%, or at least EUR 23 per ton) for the period until January 1, 2012.

SIMFEROPOL, June 10 – The state-run Chornomornaftogaz (Simferopol, Crimea) and Germany's RWE energy concern are studying the submission of a joint bid to obtain a license for one of the fields on the Black Sea shelf, Chornomornaftogaz Chairman Valeriy Yasiuk said at a press conference in Simferopol.

KIEV, June 10 - Ukraine reduced gas production 0.7% in January-May year-on-year to 8.388 billion cubic meters (bcm), with natural gas output down 0.6% to 8.043 bcm, the country’s Energy and Coal Industry Ministry said.

KIEV, June 14 – Fitch Ratings has assigned Ukraine's $1.25 billion eurobond, due June 17, 2016, a 'B' rating, the agency has said.

The eurobond has a coupon rate of 6.25%.

"The rating is in line with Ukraine's Long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR), which has a Stable Outlook," Fitch said in a statement on Monday.