KIEV, Dec. 4 - Chinese companies will build coal-to-gas plants in Ukraine according to an agreement signed on Wednesday, the energy and coal industry ministry reported.

The agreement, backed by a $3.66 billion loan from a Chinese bank, was signed by Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy and by top officials from China National Chemical Engineering Corporation, or CNCEC.

"The signing of the agreement is in fact a start to practical implementation of a large-scale joint project,” Stavytskiy said in a statement.