KIEV, July 23 – The Ukrainian cabinet has decided to prolong a memorandum with metals and mining companies until the end of 2009, toughening a number of commitments for metals companies, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said.

The premier said that tax preferences would be given to only those metals companies that have no debts for wages, or to budgets of various levels, the Pension Fund and to National JSC Naftogaz Ukrayiny for natural gas supplies.