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Ukraine and the Ukrainian gas infrastructure," Dmytro Lippa, CEO of GTSO Ukraine, is convinced.
What foreign companies need in order to invest in Ukrainian hydrocarbon production. According to the owner of Alfa Gas, Oleksandr Katsuba, Italian, British, and Middle Eastern companies are interested in the Ukrainian oil and gas market. However, investors expect predictability in the rules of the game as well as investment incentives. In addition, after the war's end, the market needs a balance between the state's interest in collecting taxes and providing incentives to expand production. For investors to invest in the industry, it is necessary to stimulate the drilling of new deep and ultra-deep wells. This, according to Katsuba, requires tax incentives. "I would also intensify work on concluding production sharing agreements with potential investors. This will increase production in the west of the country and then in the east and south," says Katsuba. In his opinion, working with local authorities is no less important. It should not consider the investor a source of personal enrichment because an investor is a partner for the country and the community. At the same time, any new agreements should be established for at least 5-10 years.
9.1.2 Automotive sector news
Demand for new cars increased in Ukraine in 2023. According to the Automotive Association, Ukrautoprom, Ukrainians bought and registered 5,700 new cars in September, 67% more than in September last year but 2% less than in August 2023. Toyota cars were in the greatest demand - 960 new vehicles were registered in September. In annual terms, September demand for new Toyotas increased by 43%. The second place in the ranking was taken by Volkswagen, with sales of 653 cars, 200% more than in September last year. BMW is in third place, doubling sales to 492 vehicles (+97%). Among the top five are Skoda, which sold 464 cars (+49%), and Renault, 447 cars (+185%). The most popular car in September was the Renault Duster, with 407 new registrations. In total, from January to September 2023, Ukrainians purchased 43,900 new vehicles, which is 58% more than in the same period last year.
9.1.3 Transport sector news
● Planes
Antonov becomes first Ukrainian company to join Europe's largest aerospace lobby. Ukraine’s largest aircraft manufacturing company Antonov joined the Aerospace, Security and defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), the association said on Oct. 6.
● Trains
The total volume of rail transportation decreased by 9% for the year and 17% for export. Ukrainian Railways (UZ) transported 107 million tons of cargo in January-September, which is 9.2% less than in the same period last year. The transportation volume in September was 12 million tons, which is 3.1% more than in September last year and 1.8% less than in August 2023. The UZ explained the drop in volumes due to the loss of the cargo base due to restrictions on transfer to export, closure of the grain corridor, and restrictions
79 UKRAINE Country Report November 2023 www.intellinews.com