KYIV, Jan 10 – The strengthening of Ukraine's national currency, the hryvnia, may start late in January or early in February, according to bankers polled by Interfax-Ukraine.

"The weakening of the hryvnia in January is seasonal and caused by such factors as the closure of annual contracts in foreign currencies. By the end of January, the hryvnia can hit UAH 28.26-28.30 per U.S. dollar, but the NBU will sell dollars to keep the forex rate at UAH 28.1 per U.S. dollar. Inflows of foreign currency will start in February due to income from exports, and the rate will begin to get stronger to UAH 27.9-27.95 per U.S. dollar. The strengthening of the hryvnia in the longer-term outlook will be facilitated by more active exports, as well as the possible signing of a reviewed program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)," Governor of RwS bank Vladyslav Kravets said.