KIEV, March 6 - Ukrainian steel companies plan to increase investment in overhauls, modernization and construction by 28% in 2008, to nearly UAH13 billion, said Vasyl Kharakhulakh, head of industry association Metallurgprom.

Such investment jumped 57.3% to UAH10.168 billion in 2007, Kharakhulakh said at a mining and metals conference in Dnipropetrovsk.

Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works (AMK) led with investments of UAH3.7 billion, he said. Arcelor Mittal Kryvy Rih, Illich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol and Azovstal each invested UAH1.3 billion to UAH1.35 billion.