KIEV, Nov. 13 – The surplus of Ukraine's foreign trade in services January through September 2009 narrowed by 26.9%, to UAH $3.013 billion, down from $4.123 billion in the first nine months of 2008, the State Statistics Committee reported.

KIEV, Nov. 13 – Ukraine's aggregate state debt in 2009 will grow to 44.5% of gross domestic product, reads the prospectus of the issue of OJSC Naftogaz Ukraine's eurobonds worth $1.595 billion, which cites this forecast by the government.

According to the document, the state debt will continue growing in 2010 and will hit 48.4% of GDP.

KIEV, Nov. 16 - Volumes of natural gas transmitted to Europe and Moldova through Ukrainian territory from January to October totaled 74.5 billion cubic meters, which was 24.8% (24.6 billion cubic meters) down on the like period in 2008, Ukraine's Fuel and Energy Ministry told Interfax.

KIEV, Nov 14 - Ukraine's economy shrank in October compared to the same month last year - the first drop since 2005 -- dragged down by a 20 percent slump in industrial output, Reuters reported, citing the State Statistics Committee.

Data showed gross domestic product (GDP) fell 2.1% in October compared to a 7% rise a year ago. In the first 10 months of the year, growth slowed to 5.8%, against a forecast of 6.4% and 7.3% a year ago.

KIEV, Nov. 14 – The World Bank is drafting a package of assistance to Ukraine to tackle its economic crisis and promote a rapid return to growth, bank officials in Ukraine say.

CHISINAU, Nov. 14 - Prime ministers from CIS member-countries approved the organization's economic development strategy for the period until 2020 at their session in Chisinau on Friday.

The document was fine-tuned taking into account comments made at a CIS summit on Oct. 10.

KIEV, Nov. 15 ??“ Nemiroff, a major Ukrainian distiller, plans to boost sales in Russia by up to 20% through expanding its distribution channels, the company said in a report Wednesday.

KIEV, Nov. 16 - IDS Group, one of Ukraine's largest bottled water producers, invested over $1 million into the launch of a new Stary Myrgorod mineral water bottling line at the Myrgorod mineral water plant in Poltava region.

KIEV, Nov. 15 ??“ Foreign direct investments in Ukraine??™s economy rose by 230% on the year to more than $3 billion in January through September, led by several acquisitions of Ukrainian banks by their Western peers.

KIEV, Nov. 15 ??“ The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) may lend $85-million loan to Donetsk-based ISTIL, a small steel company, to improve energy efficiency, quality control and for restructuring the existing debt.