KIEV, March 12 – There are no resources for the further budget subsidizing of the prices of energy, which are set too low in Ukraine, although the switch to market prices will be gradual, Economic Development and Trade Minister Pavlo Sheremeta said.

KIEV, March 12 – The acceleration of inflation in February to 0.6% does not bring a threat to the price stability in the country, although the bursting increase in it pace could have affected the economic development, according to Valeriy Lytvytsky, an advisor to the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.

KIEV, March 12 - Ukraine’s transit of Russian natural gas to Europe fell by 25% year-on-year to 4.8 billion cubic meters in February from 6.4 billion cu m shipped in February 2013 and down from 7.4 billion cu m shipped in January, the state-owned natural gas shipping monopoly UkrTransGaz reported Wednesday.

SIMFEROPOL, March 12 - Crimea will take ownership of Ukrainian state companies on its territory, including the region's Black Sea natural gas fields, its first deputy prime minister said, cementing the region's independence before a referendum on joining Russia, Reuters reported.

Crimea, a southern Ukrainian region which is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet, will vote on Sunday on whether to join Russia.

KIEV, March 11 – The State Agency for Tourism and Resorts has developed a new procedure for the classification of accommodation facilities and plans to introduce it in the near future, said Olena Shapovalova, the agency's head.

KIEV, March 11 – LNG Terminal has failed to raise a seven-year loan worth EUR 160 million, according to an announcement on the Ukrainian Public Procurements Web portal.

The state-run enterprise also failed to borrow EUR 61.946 million on another lot.

KIEV, March 11 – Zaporizhstal, part of Metinvest Group, announced it has successfully undergone a procedure for the pre-certification audit of the ISO 50001:2011 energy management system.

KIEV, March 11 – The government has approved a draft law envisaging a ban on pyramid schemes in Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers reported.

The decision was taken at a government meeting on Monday.

KIEV, March 11 – The Income and Tax Ministry said it plans to take all the necessary steps to reduce the unitary social tax rate to 15% in 2013.

In order to lower the tax rate, the government needs to hold extended consultations with businesses so that this initiative does not cause any inconveniences to taxpayers, Income and Tax Minister Oleksandr Klymenko said on the First National TV Channel.

KIEV, March 12 – The Income and Tax Ministry, working with consultants, is drawing up a bill on the obligatory general declaration of citizens' incomes.