KIEV, May 15 - Ukraine's gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2017 grew by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2016 against 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the State Statistics Service.

KIEV, May 17 - A total of 550,500 tons of imported steam coal was shipped to thermal power plants (TPPs) and combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) of Ukraine in January-April 2017, including 137,200 tons in April alone and only from Russia, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported.

KIEV, May 17 – PrivatBank, Oschadbank, Ukreximbank, Ukrgasbank and Raiffeisen Bank Aval boosted their assets by 3-18.2% in January-March 2017 and improved their leading position on the market. Their total share of the market in terms of assets grew to 61.2% from 55.9%.

KIEV, May 18 – PrivatBank noteholders have challenged the bail-in for their securities in exchange to the additionally issued shares of the bank in the London Court of International Arbitration, Managing Partner of Suprema Lex law firm Viktor Moroz acting as an advisor of the noteholders has said.

KIEV, May 16 - Ukraine has imposed sanctions against state-owned Crimea-based agricultural companies and vineyards in line with decree No. 133 dated May 15 signed by President Petro Poroshenko.

KIEV, May 16 – Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has called on Israel to ease Ukrainian farm produce access to its market.

This issue was on the agenda of Groysman's meeting with Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Uri Ariel during his official visit to Israel, the Ukrainian Cabinet's press service reported.

KIEV, May 17 – The loss of fruit, berries and nuts harvest over frosts at the end of April and early May could be around 1-1.2 million tons or 50-60% of the average level in the past years.

KIEV, May 18 – Top managers of the Ukrainian Association of Scrap Metal and Resources have asked the World Bank not to roll back reforms in Ukraine and extend imports duty on scrap ferrous metal in the amount of EUR 30 per ton for two more years.

KIEV, MAY 17 – Foreign direct investment in Ukraine in the form of equity capital as of April 1, 2016, was estimated at $42.82 billion, which was 0.7%, or $300 million, up on the figure recorded early this year, Ukraine's State Statistics Service reported.

KIEV, May 17 – Roshen confectionary corporation continues holding negotiations on the sale of its assets in Lipetsk region of Russia. The corporation says it is ready to discuss all the offers from parties concerned.