KIEV, March 28 - Ukrainian coke and chemical plants agreed to buy out remaining stocks of domestically produced coal as part of a plan to help the government drop an idea of restricting imports of coking coal, an industry source said Wednesday.

The government has been considering an idea of restricting the imports amid concerns that about 400,000 metric tons of domestically produced coal have accumulated at state coal mines.

KIEV, March 28 - Ukraine on Wednesday selected Baker Tilly, an independent accountancy and business consultancy, to estimate the market value of its natural gas transportation system, which moves bulk of Russian gas to the European Union.

KIEV, March 28 – The Finance Ministry has sold EUR 205.208 million worth of 18-month government domestic loan bonds denominated in euros and with early repayment.

KIEV, March 25 – Ukrainians see economic depression and the growth of unemployment are the worst threats to their country, according to a poll conducted by the Rating Group on March 4-14.

KIEV, March 28 – The State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) has started preparing to make payments of funds to depositors of the troubled Rodovid, Oschadbank Chairman Serhiy Podrezov said.

KIEV, March 28 – The surplus of Ukraine's balance of payments in February totaled $1.362 billion, a more than five-fold increase over January 2011 ($259 million), the National Bank of Ukraine reported.

KIEV, March 28 – Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boyko has discussed the participation of leading companies in Germany in the upgrade of the Ukrainian gas transport system with representatives of those companies.

KIEV, March 28 – The general tariff for the supply of natural gas to Ukrainian consumers is to grow by 11% or by UAH 25.70 on April 1 to UAH 259.70 per thousand cubic meters.

KIEV, March 25 – The Ukrainian Industry Ministry has proposed to France's Air Liquide to boost its investment policy in Ukraine and asked it to inform other French companies about the opportunities for investment in the country as a part of government's plans to improve the investment climate for foreign investors.

KIEV, March 26 - The Ukrainian association of large cement and concrete makers Ukrcement has reduced its 9.431 million-ton forecast for cement production in the country this year by more than 25% to 7 million tons.