KIEV, April 9 – Shareholder capital raised by Ukrainian companies on international markets, including via initial public offerings and secondary public offerings, could exceed $1 billion in 2010, compared to $164 million (in five deals) in 2009, and the number of deals will grow due to the resumption of ones postponed during the economic crisis, according to the director of financial solutions group at Renaissance Capital.

KIEV, April 9 – Unilever Company says it is considering purchasing raw materials in Ukraine to produce foodstuffs.

"We're considering the purchase of raw materials in Ukraine – farming products, in particular, grain, tomatoes and onions," Vice President for supplies of Unilever RUB (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) Ad Van Oers told Interfax-Ukraine.

KIEV, April 12 – The Kiev-based PFTS stock exchange plans to launch trading on the futures and options market in the second half of 2010, Iryna Zaria, the exchange's president said at a press conference devoted to the results of the stock market and PFTS operation in Q1.

KIEV, April 9 - ING Group has decided to close its retail banking business in Ukraine.

"Today, ING Group announces its decision to close its recently started retail business in the banking service sphere in Ukraine. The decision is part of a global process of revision of ING's business portfolio to simplify the structure of ING Group," the ING announcement stated.

KIEV, April 9 - Defense Solutions, Inc., an international project management firm and a subsidiary of Defense Solutions Holding, Inc. (based in Pennsylvania), has joined the team producing a NATO-compatible armored personnel carrier, the BTR-4.

KIEV, April 10 – The 20% rise in the value of Ukrainian eurobonds over the past month is evidence of the gradual resumption of investors' interest in Ukraine, according to Oleksandr Omelchuk, director general of Phoenix Capital Investment Company.

KIEV, April 10 – Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency carried out safety checks at the third reactor of the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant from March 30 through April 9 and assessed the implementation of recommendations issued by the OSART (Operational Safety Review Team) mission at all reactors at the plant, the press service of the national nuclear generating company EnergoAtom reported on Thursday.

KIEV, April 10 – In another sign of Ukraine’s worsening economy, auto imports fell to less than a third of their level one year ago in Q1.

State Customs Service chief Anatoliy Makarenko reported Friday that 23,500 cars were imported into Ukraine in January to March, down from 79,000 the prior year.

KIEV, April 12 ??“ As of late 2006, construction financing funds attracted UAH 2.4 billion into housing construction from 6,310 individuals, an official said.

KIEV, April 12 ??“ Ukrainian iron-ore producers boosted the export of crude iron ore by 7.1% from January to March 2007 year-over-year, to 4.830 million tonnes.