KIEV, Jan. 21 – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has lowered its forecast for Ukraine's economy this year, predicting growth of 1% in 2013, down from its October projection of 2.5%.

KIEV, Jan. 19 - Astarta agricultural holding, the largest sugar producer in Ukraine, is planning in September to complete the construction of a biogas complex at the Hlobyne sugar refinery in Poltava region, the company's director general, Viktor Ivanchyk, told reporters on Thursday.

KIEV, Jan. 19 - Ekotechnik Praha is planning this year to construct a 54 MW solar power plant in Vinnytsia region, the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration has said.

KIEV, Jan. 20 – The Ukrainian cabinet has approved a feasibility study on the development of the Subotyne oil field on the Black Sea shelf, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported.

KIEV, Jan. 20 – The Association of Ukrainian Banks said it opposes regulatory initiatives of the Interior Ministry that it fears would lead to the monopolization of the bank security guard market.

KIEV, Jan. 20 – Ukraine is planning to announce tenders to attract investors to develop the Oleske and Yuzovska shale gas fields by February 22, said Volodymyr Ivaschenko, an advisor to the ecology and natural resources minister.

KIEV, Jan. 20 – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to boost investments in Ukraine in 2009, said Olivier Decamps, head of the bank’s Southeast Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia business group.

KIEV, Jan. 20 - Fitch Ratings has downgraded Nadra Bank's Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'CC' from 'CCC' while maintaining a Negative Outlook.

At the same time, the agency withdrew all of the bank's ratings due to insufficient information.

KIEV, Jan. 21 - The fundamental credit outlook for Ukrainian financial institutions is negative, reflecting the likelihood that the banks' financial fundamentals will continue to be negatively affected by the uncertainty in domestic and international financial markets, funding pressures, the steep depreciation of the Ukrainian hryvnia and a slowdown in economic growth, says Moody's Investors Service.

KIEV, Jan. 21 - Chornomornaftogaz has resumed an agreement with Ukrgazvydobuvannia on the development of the Odessa and Bezymenne offshore gas fields, the state company told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.