KIEV, Jan. 18 – Inflation expectations in Ukrainian business circles fell considerably in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to a National Bank of Ukraine poll.

"In Q4 2009, the macroeconomic expectations regarding companies' own development prospects greatly improved, but assessments did not reach the pre-crisis level... In the next 12 months the growth in consumer prices is forecasted at 15.1%, against 17.5% in the previous quarter," reads the report.

The NBU said that the central bank polled 1,245 companies in all Ukrainian regions, which represent the Ukrainian economy in key types of activities.