KIEV, Jan. 16 ??“ The expected inflows of foreign currency to Ukraine from foreign borrowing and foreign investment in 2007 could prompt an increase in the currency reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), according to Ukrainian banking experts.

"Further growth in the volume of gold and currency reserves in the NBU this year will continue due to inflows of direct and portfolio investment. However, the growth in the reserves will be slowed by an increasing deficit in the balance of trade with Russia due to an increase in the prices of Russian gas from Jan. 1, 2007," Ukrsotsbank report said.