28 Aug 2009 13:12

Ukrainian state debt grows 16% in July, 35.2% in seven months

KYIV. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Ukraine's combined state (direct) and government-guaranteed debt expanded 16% to $33.262 billion in July 2009, the Finance Ministry said.

Total debt increased 35.2%, or by $8.663 billion, in the first seven months of 2009.

In the equivalent of the national currency, combined debt increased 17% to 256.05 billion hryvni in July and 35.2%, or by 66.64 billion hryvni, in the seven months.

The Finance Ministry said the increase in debt in the period mainly resulted from the country receiving the third tranche of a loan from the International Monetary Fund for $3.3 billion as well as the issuing of state bonds and state guarantees.

Total state debt grew 40% to $24.599 billion in 2008.

The official exchange rate on August 28 was 7.989 hryvni/$1.