KIEV, Nov. 18 - Shell Retail Ukraine plans over the next several years to bring the market share of its filling stations in Ukraine under the Shell brand to 15%, according to Shell Ukraine Exploration & Production general manager, Patrick van Daele.

KIEV, Nov. 19 – Kiev-based Concorde Capital Investment company has cut its forecast for Ukraine's real GDP growth in 2008 from 6.8% to 3.3% and expects that GDP will fall by 2% in 2009, according to a company press release, referring to its analysts.

KIEV, Nov. 19 – The Finance Ministry believes the most effective mechanism for improving Ukraine's balance of payments is weakening the national currency, according to the honorary president of UkrAVTO Corporation, MP Tariel Vasadze.

KIEV, Nov. 19 – After gaining agreement from the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund, Ukraine may increase import duties and impose import quotas, first deputy head of the presidential secretariat, Oleksandr Shlapak, said at a briefing in Kiev on Tuesday.

Shlapak said that according to a presidential decree, the cabinet is to study the possibilities for increasing import duties, import quotas and hold consultations on the issue with both the WTO and IMF Mission.

KIEV, Nov. 19 - Solomonove-based Eurocar automobile plant in Zakarpattia region, which assembles Volkswagen Group cars in Ukraine, in January through October, boosted car output year-on-year by 41.1%, to 23,238 cars.

KIEV/KAZAN, Nov. 19 - An extraordinary general meeting of UkrTatNafta (Kremenchuk Oil Refinery) shareholders planned for Nov. 15 failed to take place due to the lack of a quorum, a source told Interfax.

KIEV, Nov. 19 - The pace of industrial output growth in Ukraine grew 13.7% year-on-year in October, while in January through October it grew by 11%, the State Statistics Committee reported.

ODESSA, Nov. 17 - The export of sunflower seeds in the current marketing year (September 2006 to August 2007) could be 150,000 tons, a 31.8% fall year-on-year, according to an expert from APK-Inform Company, Valeriy Lystopad.

KIEV, Nov. 16 - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) may lend EUR6 million to the Municipal Water and Wastewater Management Utility of Crimea's South Coast (Great Yalta), owned by the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine.

KIEV, Nov. 16 - The EnergoAtom national nuclear power generating company will work to attract private investment in projects to improve safety at Ukrainian nuclear power plants and extend the exploitation life of reactors.