Highlight: Gas deal - HOW WILL UKRAINE SURVIVE THE WINTER?
Politics: On October 26, Ukrainians elected a new Verkhovna Rada, in which a majority of seats went to parties that support European integration of Ukraine. New coalition government is to be formed. It is expected to generally continue the policies of the current one.
Real Sector:According to the ‘flash’ estimate of Ukrstat real GDP declined by 5.1% yoy in the third quarter of 2014.
Energy sector:The Government continues measures to stimulate energy saving.
Agriculture:Ukrainian government and business in Ukraine are rather optimistic about perspectives of exports of dairy products to the EU market starting the second half of 2015.
External sector: Current account deficit in September widened to USD 0.6 bn. Both merchandise and services trade balances were in deficits.
Fiscal policy: The Government will not be able to execute fiscal indicators in 2014.
Social policy: In November, the Government decided to formally suspend pension payouts for residents of occupied area in Donbas, even though pensions will be accrued.
Labour market: Average wage in September grew by 6.3% yoy in nominal terms due to higher minimum wage as well as wage indexation for inflation.
Monetary policy: In October consumer inflation reached 19.8% yoy as wide-based prices increases continued.
Exchange rate: In October most foreign exchange deals on the interbank market were concluded at exchange rate close to UAH 13 per USD in response to sales of foreign currency by the NBU, informal pressure and administrative restrictions.
State debt:The Government nearly completed planned issue of VAT-bonds for 2014.
