Ukraine’s coal import quotas set to rise

In March this year, a quote on imports of metallurgical coal was introduced by Ukraine, in a move to aid local coal producers.

The import limit was approved by the Ukrainian Government on March 13, Kommersant-Ukraine reported, citing Serhiy Prytomanov, head of the national federation of steelmakers. The quota was fixed at 10.2 million t for the year.

The quota is now set to increase, by an estimated 1 million t, according to the press service of Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Serhiy Arbuzov.

The move comes as the country looks to bring itself in line with the EU.

By raising the quotes, “Ukraine will fulfill the requirements of the EU and the World Trade Organization to lift trade restrictions on these commodities,” Arbuzov has been quoted as saying.

Raising the quote would open the way for a partnership to be formed between Ukraine and the EU.

“The gradual recovery of import quotas is one of the expectations of the EU on the eve of the Associaiton Agreement signing,” Arbuzov said.

Ukraine plans to sign political-economic agreements with the EU during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Lithuania’s Vilnius at the end of November.

Edited from various sources by Sam Dodson

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