KIEV, Aug. 14 - Ukraine ended the first half of 2009 with a budget deficit of UAH 10.61 billion, the Finance Ministry said.

Federal budget revenue declined 3.5%, to UAH 101.12 billion in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 with tax revenue falling 12.9%, to UAH 67.67 billion.

The biggest declines in budget revenue were seen in import duties - down 55.9%, to UAH 2.9 billion and profit tax - 21.5%, to 14.21 billion, while the biggest increases were seen in excise taxes on Ukrainian goods - up 53%, to UAH 7.06 billion and excises from imports - 34.9%, to UAH 1.61 billion.