KYIV, Aug 3 – The Finance Ministry has issued licenses for the production of spirit to private companies, acting Director of state-owned enterprise Ukrspyrt Serhiy Bleskun said.

"For a month now, since July 1, state-owned enterprise Ukrspyrt is no longer a monopoly. The Finance Ministry has issued licenses for the production of spirit to other plants. This is a big step for the industry and certain changes for Ukrspyrt. In particular, the number of our customers will gradually decrease. Companies will refuse purchase spirit in the former monopolist and buy where the conditions are more favorable. This is expected and is happening right now. This is how the open market works," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.