Economy
The Suez Canal has lost $10 billion: Egypt is counting its losses due to the crisis
Egypt has reported a sharp drop in revenue from the Suez Canal amid the security crisis in the Red Sea. According to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the country has lost around $10 billion as shipping companies are withdrawing their vessels from this route en masse.
Buckwheat and rice prices have risen: grain prices are being revised again in Ukraine
Prices for popular grains in Ukraine – buckwheat, long-grain parboiled rice and short-grain rice – have risen. Compared with the February average, all three items became more expensive in March, and the agricultural sector is already warning that not only the cost of grains but also that of bread may rise further.
Exchange rates as of 18 March: the dollar and the euro are falling
On Wednesday, 18 March, the hryvnia continues to strengthen on the cash market. Following the NBU’s official exchange rate, rates at currency exchange bureaux and the cash desks of the largest banks have also fallen.
Against the backdrop of record growth in the black market for cigarettes, ESBU Director Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi travelled to the US to brief American businesspeople on the business climate
Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, Director of the Economic Security Bureau, and his deputy, Yurii Belousov, attended an event in Washington organised for the American business community. The round-table discussion was attended by entrepreneurs willing to pay from $10,000 for membership of the USUBC.
Pensioners can receive 5,000 UAH via Oschadbank: who is eligible for the scheme
In Ukraine, a scheme is in place whereby some pensioners receive a one-off payment of 5,000 hryvnias to their Oschadbank card. This assistance is provided as part of humanitarian programmes implemented in collaboration with international partners for people from vulnerable groups.
A war with Iran threatens to plunge the economies of the Gulf states into their worst recession since the 1990s
A prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to a significant downturn in the economies of the Gulf states. Qatar and Kuwait stand to suffer the greatest losses.
Iran is boosting its oil revenues amid rising prices and the US stance
Iran is generating significant revenue from oil exports amid rising prices and a limited US response to these supplies. Washington has stated its willingness to allow these sales in order to avoid a market shortage.
The EU has announced the approval of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, having overcome Hungary’s veto
An agreement has been reached within the European Union to grant Ukraine a loan of €90 billion. According to media reports, the issue of Hungary’s veto has been resolved.
Україна наростила імпорт бензину на 18% для створення резервів
За лютий 2026 року імпорт бензину в Україну збільшився до 190 000 т (+18%). Порівняно з аналогічним періодом 2025 року цей показник демонструє зростання у 2,4 раза.
The new memorandum with the IMF will change the rules of the game: what changes will affect taxes, sole traders and state-owned banks
The new memorandum between Ukraine and the IMF sets out nine structural benchmarks that the government must meet by 2026. The most sensitive area is taxation: the document outlines changes affecting sole traders, digital platforms, international business, state-owned banks, customs, tax returns and tariff policy.
China to resume buying Russian oil as US sanctions are eased — Reuters
Chinese state-owned oil companies, seeking to prevent supply shortages caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, have resumed imports of Russian crude oil after a four-month hiatus, taking advantage of the lifting of US sanctions.
Competition for the post of Head of the State Migration Service: three NABU detectives and a customs officer received the lowest scores for the practical tasks
The selection panel for the post of Head of Customs has announced the results of the candidates’ practical assessment of their professional skills. Three NABU investigators and a serving customs officer scored the lowest marks at this stage. However, all candidates will be invited to the interviews, which are due to begin on 23 March.
