KYIV, March 28 – The agreement on free trade area (FTA) between Ukraine and Israel foresees the annulment of import duties for 80% of industrial goods from Ukraine to Israel and some agricultural products from the moment when the document takes force, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Trade Representative of Ukraine Natalia Mykolska said.

KYIV, March 29 – The Justice Ministry will sign a contract with Hogan Lovells International LLP law firm to assist in proceedings under a lawsuit filed by minority shareholders of oil producer Ukrnafta against Ukraine seeking to collect $5.4 billion.

KIEV, March 28 - Real wages in Ukraine increased by 18% in February compared to February 2016 and compared to January 2017 by 2.3%, the State Statistics Service reported.

MOSCOW, March 28 - VTB is not ruling out the option of transforming its Ukrainian subsidiary - VTB (Ukraine) - into a financial company, and will make a final decision on the subsidiary's fate before the end of 2017, VTB Chairman Andrei Kostin told journalists on the sidelines of the Association of Russian Banks congress.

KIEV, March 29 – The introduction of the fee for gas distribution by the National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation in April lifts obstacles for supply of gas by Naftogaz Ukrayiny directly to households, Deputy Board Chairman of New Energy of Ukraine alliance Myroslav Bodnar said.

KIEV, March 29 – NORD refrigerator producer, which halted operations at the facilities of Donetsk refrigerator plant, has transferred refrigerator production to China, to the platform of the Midea multi-industrial corporation manufacturing household appliances, PJSC Nord said on its website.

KIEV, March 29 – The deal to sell the Ukrainian subsidiary of Russia's Sberbank cost slightly less than its capital - about $130 million, the Kiev-based 112.ua TV channel reported with reference to the Russian publication Kommersant.

KIEV, March 29 - Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the national energy company, filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice seeking to block Gazprom’s increased access to OPAL gas pipeline, the company reported Wednesday.

KIEV, March 28 – The share of illegal cigarettes on the Ukrainian marketshrank to 1.1-1.2% by late 2015 from 10% in 2013, Philip Morris Ukraine Director General Artem Chernis said.

KIEV, March 28 – The National Bank of Ukraine has mitigated some requirements for foreign credit transactions until June 8.

The NBU also permitted the use of investment accounts of nonresident investors to send funds that banks owe them for a separate currency transaction, the central bank has reported on its website.

The decision is outlined in NBU resolution No. 192 dated March 24 that amends NBU resolution No. 140 dated March 3.