KIEV, March 11 – Ukrainian insurance companies in 2008 are expected to collect UAH20-22.5 billion in premiums, which will be similar to collection rates in 2007, according to Kiev-based Credit-Rating Agency.

KIEV, March 12 – Telesystems of Ukraine (the PEOPLEnet trade mark) plans in 2008 to invest $90 million in the development of the company, Telesystems of Ukraine director general Zvika Pakula said.

KIEV, March 13 ??“ Auchan Group, a big French retailer, purchased a 20% stake in Furshet, Ukraine??™s third largest retail chain, seeking to expand on the lucrative and fast growing market, a newspaper reported.

KIEV, March 13 - Forum Bank raised a $36 million syndicated credit, $12 million of which will be provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a news agency reported Tuesday.

KIEV, March 13 - UkrGaz-Energo, a joint venture between Naftogaz Ukrainy and RosUkrEnergo AG, plans to borrow around $1 billion in 2007, Ihor Voronyn, the company's chief executive, said.

KIEV, March 13 ??“ Foreign Minister Boris Tarasiuk phoned his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Martynov on Monday to deliver a protest note after local authorities had arrested six Ukrainian youth activists in Minsk.

KIEV, March 13 - Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the state oil and gas company, and Royal Dutch Shell plan within a month to sign an agreement over joint exploration and extraction of natural gas in Ukraine, officials said Monday.

KIEV, Mar 13 ??“ At least 70 small hotels with a total of 2,000 rooms are expected to be built in Kiev before 2010, Head of the Kiev's Main Municipal Service Department Mykhailo Shparyk said Friday.

KIEV, March 13 - Ukrainian and Russian aircraft makers will build 24 Antonov An-148 regional jets in 2006-2008, Oleh Shevchenko, the director general of the Kiev-based Aviant Company, said.

KIEV, March 13 ??“ Major international investors will Friday review a 500 million euro project of building an oil pipeline link from Ukraine to Poland for moving Caspian Sea crude, officials said Monday.