Govt asks NBU to allow VF Ukraine, DTEK, Metinvest, Interpipe, Kernel to make Eurobond payments from Ukraine

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - The government has asked the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to permit the sale of foreign currency to major Ukrainian companies and holdings and its subsequent transfer for Eurobond payments and for settlements with Western creditors.

The corresponding requests for individual permits for cross-border transfers of foreign currency were formalized in the government's orders, dated February 6 and 13. They are available for viewing on the government's website, Ukrainian media said.

The list of such companies and holdings includes VF Ukraine, the second largest mobile operator under the Vodafone Ukraine trademark, companies from Interpipe Group, a producer of steel pipes and railway wheels, Metinvest, Ukraine's largest mining and metals holding, the Kernel agricultural holding, as well as three DTEK holdings, such as DTEK Energy, DTEK Renewables and DTEK Oil & Gas.

Documents accompanying the decision indicate that such steps will help maintain investor confidence and will allow companies, many of which are major exporters, to save their foreign currency and ensure their efficient and stable operations in the future.