KIEV, March 24 – The Ukrainian government has spent UAH1 billion since October to prop up its ailing metals and chemicals companies, the Industry Ministry announced.

These figures were received after an analysis of the impact of anti-crisis measures of the government on the results of metals and chemical companies' work.

The cabinet and the Industry Ministry adopted a law on amendments to some Ukrainian laws on the minimization of the impact of the financial crisis on the development of domestic industry, a cabinet resolution of September 10, 2008 on a procedure for putting an extra charge in the tariff for natural gas for the special fund of the national budget, a cabinet resolution of October 14, 2008 on top-priority measures for the stabilization of the situation in the metals and mining and chemical sectors, a cabinet resolution of December 27, 2008 on amendments to the cabinet resolution of October 14, 2008, and a cabinet resolution of November 10, 2008 on the approval of a plan of urgent measures to overcome negative phenomena in the metals sector.