Page 37 - UKRRptJan22

de-monopolization of the economy, strengthen anti-corruption institutions, improve land and credit markets, including access to finance for small farmers, and bolster the safety net for elderly Ukrainians who are vulnerable to Covid-19, the World Bank said in a press release.
US President Biden approved a $300mn defence budget for Ukraine.
Biden has signed the National defence Allocation Act (NDAA), which defines funding for major US defence policies and provides security assistance to Ukraine, reported The Hill. "The House of Representatives passed the bill by an overwhelming majority on a bipartisan basis (363 against 70) in early December, and later the Senate passed the document by 88 against 11," the newspaper said.
Under the EU’s new ‘Global Gateway’ plan, Ukraine is expected to get a major slice of €17bn allocated for EU-linked infrastructure development in the six westernmost former Soviet republics, reports Germany’s DW news. Announced yesterday as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road , the EU plan would help fund east-west roads, railroads and internet connections between the EU and Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. “Global ties for the European Union begin with the countries of our neighbourhood,” said European Commissioner Oliver Varheyi. “People, goods, services and energy will move faster and cheaper.”
EBRD approves €190mn tranche for Ukraine's road agency. Encouraged by steps taken by Ukraine's state road agency Ukravtodor, the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new €190 million loan tranche for further improvements to the country's road infrastructure. Part of a €450mn package, the tranche will finance the upgrade of the M-05 Kyiv-Odesa Road in the Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, says EBRD press release.
In December, the World Bank will consider allocating two tranches of up to $500mn to Ukraine. The World Bank will consider granting Ukraine a second loan of €300mn for development policy in the field of economic development, reported Interfax. According to the Minister of Finance, Serhiy Marchenko, the conditions for the allocation of €300mn is the signing of law No3205 on the establishment of the Fund for the partial guarantee of agricultural loans.
Britain will provide an additional £1 billion to support Ukraine, bringing the total to £3.5 billion, President Zelenskiy tweeted yesterday, reporting on Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s ongoing visit to London. About half of the money is to go for the construction of eight missile boats, the purchase of two used minesweepers from Britain and the creation of two naval bases, one on the Black Sea and one on the Azov. Kuleba, who ends his visit today, says the additional money will largely go for infrastructure, healthcare and clean energy.
In the second week of December the United States sent Ukraine the last part of the $60mn security package. Aid that was approved by US President, Joe Biden, in early September when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to Washington. The security assistance includes the provision of lethal weapons, including Javelins, non-lethal weapons, arms, and ammunition, announced the US Department of defence.
The US Senate has approved a $300mn defence budget for Ukraine.
37 UKRAINE Country Report January 2022 www.intellinews.com