KIEV, Oct. 29 – Four companies submitted bids for a tender to supply two semi-submersible floating drilling rigs to Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the company reported.

Latvia's Rigas Kugu Buvetava, Singapore's Keppel FELS Limited, Belize's Magic Worldwide Ltd and Belize's Aida Holding Ltd submitted the bids.

KIEV, Oct. 29 – The exchange rate of the hryvnia against the U.S. dollar on the interbank forex market on Monday fell to UAH 8.1800 from UAH 8.1675 per U.S. dollar registered on Friday, October 26.

KIEV, Oct. 30 – President Viktor Yanukovych has signed laws passed by parliament this fall that calls for writing off and restructuring debts of arms producers under Ukroboronprom concern.

Yanukovych signed the law to ensure the producers can continue operation and expansion.

KIEV, Oct. 30 - Ukrainian billionaire Vadim Novinskiy's Smart-holding has closed the acquisition of 96.06% of the shares in Kiev-based Forum Bank from Commerzbank AG, the holding said in a press release.

BRUSSELS, Oct. 30 - Ukraine’s parliamentary elections has failed to comply with the European practice and that is unlikely to normalize relations between Kiev ad Brussels, Olga Shumylo-Tapiola, an expert of Carnegie Europe in Brussels, said.

The European Union leaders' statements indicate that Kiev has beaten its own record in manipulation techniques, especially on the polling day and during the vote count, she said.

KIEV, Oct. 30 – President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday faced growing international pressure over flawed parliamentary elections after the U.S. had joined European organizations to express concerns over the handling of the vote.

The growing criticism may potentially put at risk Ukraine’s relations with the West and may effectively delay the country’s political association and a free trade agreement with the European Union.

KIEV, Oct. 27 – The National Electricity Regulatory Commission is to increase tariffs for electricity generated from renewable sources by 1.44% effective November 1.

KIEV, Oct. 28 – The Ukrainian Agribusiness Club has called on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to sign law No. 8521 on amendments to the Tax Code, as the value added tax refunds restored by the law will allow farmers to obtain income to finance the future harvest.

KIEV, Oct. 28 – The average level of information disclosure by 30 largest Ukrainian banks was 46.14%, which is evidence of a lack of transparency in the Ukrainian banking system compared to the international practice of information disclosure.

KIEV, Oct. 28 – Growth in Ukraine's gross domestic product in 2011 is expected to reach 4.7%, but in 2012 it may slow to 4%, according to a forecast by Fitch Ratings.

According to the forecast, the average annual inflation in 2011 is projected at 9.5% and in 2012 at 9%, while the average hryvnia exchange rates are expected at UAH 8.10/$1 and UAH 8.30/$1 respectively.