Archive for the ‘Ukraine’ Category

Ukraine Travel: Your Ukrainian Guide for Things to Do, Hotels …

Places of Interest

The Botanical Garden of the Ukraine Academy of Science is home to thousands of different plant and tree species, a landscape filled with beauty and magic. But, amongst the daydreams of fairies and elves which you half expect to see between the rows of rose bushes or hiding underneath the fern leaves, looms the walls of the Vidubitsky Monastery. The Vidubitsky Monastery in Kiev brings a touch ...

Regions

The Zakarpattya Oblast is a beautiful part of Ukraine and has a unique geographical location along the southwestern side of the Carpathian Mountains and Dunabe lowlands. The geographical position of the region also makes it a convenient junction between countries situated all over Europe. Zakarpattya is the youngest oblast in Ukraine and was only given freedom in October 1944. The oblast is ...

Travel

If youre planning a trip to Ukraine you will need to start making all the necessary Ukraine travel reservations long before you depart for this beautiful country. Likely, you will need to find out some Ukraine travel information before you can really start to get an idea of what to expect when you arrive in the country. However, so long as you make your travel reservations well in advance, ...

National parks

The Karadag Reserve lies amid two cities known as Feodosia and Sudak, which are situated on a piece of the Crimean peninsula on the south-east coast. It is here that a breathtaking abundance of unique and historical geology can be found in the only solitary rocky shoreline massif of the Jurassic period, of about 150 160 million years old, in all of Europe. Not forgetting the variety of ...

Museums

By now most people have heard of the ever-impressive collection of waxworks figures in Madame Tussauds probably the most famous waxworks museum on the planet. However this legendary museum of wax figurines is certainly not the only such museum in the world, and there is a small waxworks museum in Ukraine which visitors to the country might be interested in visiting.

Business

In this section, we strive to bring you the best and most relevant links to resources outside Ukraine.com.Check back regularly, as it is sure to be updated frequently, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel you should appear on these listings.

Kherson Oblast

In the southern part of Ukraine, adjacent to Crimea, you will find the Kherson Oblast, an area covering some 29 000 square kilometers of land. Within the region you will find three main cities, Kherson (the administrative center of the region), Kakhovka and Nova Kakhovka. Each city is distinctly unique in its own special way and is worth a short visit if you travel to Ukraine. Nova Kakhova ...

Museums

If you would like to learn more about the celebrities who have helped to shape Ukrainian music, poetry, theater and art, you should definitely consider visiting the Ukrainian Culture Celebrities Museum. Situated in Kiev at Saksahanskoho 97, this massive museum complex provides interesting insight in the lives of four very prominent cultural celebrities from Ukraine.

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Ukraine Travel: Your Ukrainian Guide for Things to Do, Hotels ...

Gallery Of Single Women From Russia & Ukraine.Free to Date …

Experience a new level of online dating with GoDateNow.com. We are not just another Ukrainian bridal service we like to think that we connect lonely hearts from all over the world. Women in Ukraine are willing to meet decent men from foreign countries. It is not because they want to move away from their native country but because there are just not enough men in Ukraine. Therefore, Ukrainian women often feel very lonely and want to find someone special for partnership and dating. But why would you prefer a Ukrainian mate to other girls? Just look below: you can find numerous beautiful and intelligent girls for dating, and we readily claim that these girls are one of the most attractive in the world! What is so special about them? Maybe, its their sparkling eyes? Or their caring and cheerful mindsets? Yes, all of these features make these girls even more attractive. However, we believe that the most significant characteristic of Ukrainian women is their family-oriented approach. Men all over the world experience troubles with finding women that would eagerly want to create a family and have children because Western girls have recently become overly fastidious and career-oriented. You will never have such problems with a life partner from Ukraine! Even though they often have successful careers and interesting hobbies, they are always ready to leave everything behind to become mothers and spouses. Do you still hesitate? Scroll through our catalog of Ukrainian women. They look truly amazing. Without doubts, you will find one that fits your ideas of beauty and sex appeal. Your soulmate might be much closer than you think.

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Gallery Of Single Women From Russia & Ukraine.Free to Date ...

Ukraine Overview – worldbank.org

Strategy

World Bank Portfolio

No. of projects:8 IBRD investment operations, plus one guarantee

Total lending:US$2.5 billion, including US$148 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF)

Ukraine joined the World Bank in 1992. Over 25 years of cooperation, the Banks commitments to the country have totaled close to US$12 billion in about 70 projects and programs.

In March 2014, after receiving a request from the then Ukrainian Government, the World Bank Group immediately announced its support for a reform agenda aiming to put the Ukrainian economy on a path to sustainability.

The current International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) portfolio consists of eight investment operations of roughly US$2.5 billion and one guarantee of US$500 million.

The World Bank and the current Government are implementing a 201721 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Ukraine that supports the countrys efforts to achieve a lasting economic recovery benefiting the entire population.

The new CPF focuses on ensuring that markets work more effectively, establishing the necessary conditions for fiscal and financial stability, and improving service delivery for all Ukrainians.

Key Engagement

Responding to the crisis in Ukraine, in March 2014, the World Bank Group announced that it would provide additional financial and technical support to the country.

Since 2014, the World Bank Group has supported the people of Ukraine through two series of Development Policy Loans (DPLs), seven new investment operations, and a guarantee amounting to approximately US$5.5 billion aimed at improving critical public services, supporting reforms, and bolstering the private sector.

The World Bank has supported high-priority reform measures to address the key structural roots of the current economic crisis in Ukraine and to lay the foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth through two series of budget support operations: the multi-sector DPL series (MSDPL-1, US$750 million approved in 2014, and MSDPL-2, US$500 million approved in 2015) and the Financial Sector (FS) DPL series (FSDPL-1, US$500 million approved in 2014, and FSDPL-2, US$500 million approved in 2015).

Reform measures aided by these four budget support operations promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in the public sector, as well as stability in the banking sector; a reduction in the cost of doing business; and the effective use of scarce public resources to provide quality public services at a crucial time.

These operations also support the authorities in continuing to reform an inefficient and inequitable housing subsidy system while protecting the poor from tariff increases by strengthening social assistance.

World Bank investment projects have focused and will continue to focus on improving basic public services, such as district heating, water and sanitation, health, and social protection, as well as public infrastructure, such as the power transmission networks and roads.

In addition to financing several ongoing private sector projects, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is implementing a large advisory program in the country.

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Ukraine Overview - worldbank.org

Ukraine Overview – World Bank

Economy

Recent Economic Developments

Economic growth remains modest due to the unfinished structural reform agenda and headwinds from the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Real GDP grew by 2.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first half of 2017, following growth of 2.3% in 2016. Although the resumption of growth is a positive development, it represents a weak recovery since it follows a cumulative 16% contraction in 2014 and 2015. Even key sectors exhibiting relative strength, such as manufacturing, trade services, and transport, continued to grow at a modest pace3.7, 3.5, and 4.4%, respectivelyin the first half of 2017, which is insufficient to drive stronger growth in the overall economy.

The mining and utility sectors contracted by 6.6 and 5.5%, respectively, due to the trade blockade against uncontrolled areas of the Donbas region, which affected coal, steel, and electricity production. On the other hand, construction and fixed investment continued to exhibit strong growth in the first half of 2017at 26 and 22%, respectivelypointing to strengthening investor confidence in some areas, although both remain down sharply from pre-crisis levels. Merchandise exports grew by 23% in the first half of 2017.

Fiscal expenditures and revenues grew strongly in the first half of 2017, with the supplementary budget adding to expenditure pressures for the rest of the year. In the first half of 2017, both expenditures and revenues exhibited strong growth. Expenditures were up by 13.5% in real terms due to the increase in the minimum wage (and resulting higher wages for teachers, doctors, and civil servants), as well as higher spending on social programs. Revenues also grew strongly by 22.8% in real terms in the first half of 2017, driven by higher revenues across the board, including personal, corporate, and value added tax, as well as social security contributions and non-tax revenues. As a result, the fiscal balance in the first half of 2017 amounted to a surplus of 0.9% of full-year GDP.

However, the supplementary budget adopted in July 2017 adds to expenditure pressures for the rest of the year, including higher spending on the military, social programs, and capital investment, leading to a fiscal deficit in 2017 that may exceed the target of 3% of GDP. At the same time, the public debt level continued to grow, reaching 85% of GDP as of July 2017 due to the high cost of bank recapitalization.

Economic Outlook

The growth projection for 2017 remains modest at 2%, but progress on the ambitious package of reforms under consideration could accelerate growth to 4% or more going forward. The growth outlook is affected by two key factors. First, Ukraine faces continued headwinds from the conflict in the Donbas region as evidenced by the coal and trade blockade with the uncontrolled areas. Second, the authorities have been working on an ambitious package of reforms to address structural bottlenecks and advance growth prospects. The next few months are a critical window of opportunity within which to lock in these important reforms.

Establishing a transparent market for land transactions would enable Ukraine to tap its vast potential for agricultural exports. Strengthening the governance of state-owned banks and introducing measures to streamline the resolution of nonperforming loans (NPLs) would enable a gradual resumption of lending to the private sector.

Deeper anti-corruption reforms, further improvements to the business environment, and progress on privatization would strengthen investor confidence and attract foreign investment. Locking in these reforms in the next few months could raise growth to 4% or more in the next two years, an outlook subject to serious risks, however, related to progress on reforms in a complex political environment and a possible escalation of the conflict or deterioration in the external environment.

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Ukraine Overview - World Bank

Kyiv travel – Lonely Planet

Highlights of Kiev Sightseeing Tour

The tour will start at 10am from the centrally located hotel or apartment of your stay in Kiev. Your guide will meet you at hotel lobby area on reception. The first part of your big tour will start with 3h city tour by private transport. You will know the most interesting places of Kiev and can expect to see them. Among them are: the Golden Gate, Vladimirskiy Cathedral, St. Michaels Square and St. Michael's Domed Monastery, Foundation Monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskiy, Security Head Office of Ukraine, All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Pedagogical Museum, Red Building of the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kiev, Bessarabskiy Market, House of Chimeras, House of President of Ukraine, National Bank of Ukraine, Ukrainian House, National Philharmonic Society, Maidan Nezalezhnosti /Independence Square, Kievs Funicular, Post Office Square, St. Alexanders Catholic Church, Contract House, Fountain Samson, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,Holy Spirit Church, Clergy House, and Mariinskiy Park and Palace.Visit the the hill where St. Andrew's Church is situated. Here you will know about the history of the St. Andrews Decent and old town.Then your private guide will bring you at 1pm toview the hill of the Pechersk districtwhere Museum of World War II is situated. Here you will start another walking part of the tour to get familiar with territory of Museum.At 1:30pm enjoy lunch at an Ukrainian cuisine restaurant or cafe on your way. Lunch time is from 12pm - 4pm, except on weekends. The average price about $8US per person.Lastly, enjoy Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery while visiting the Near and Far caves. The Lavra, a large monastery with 28 hectares of land, got this title in 1688. Review the monastery constructions, galleries of the Near and Far Caves, possibility to visit in extra the Museum of Historic Treasures of Ukraine, Museumminiatures and other exhibits. In 1990 Kiev-Pecherskaya Lavra Monastery was enlisted into the UNESCO's World Heritage List.Finally, you will go to the nearest Metro station where learn more about Kiev Metro lines and visit the deepest Metro Station in the World Arsenalna (105.5 meters (346 ft)). Tour ends after the 6-hour ride and you can return to your hotelby public transport, metro, taxi, or by bus to Downtown Independence Square called Maidan Nezalezhnosti and the guide will help you.

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Kyiv travel - Lonely Planet