Ukraine to block imports of ag machinery

13 March 1998

Ukraine to block imports of ag machinery

UKRAINE is to ban imports of agricultural machinery in the next few
days to “create favourable conditions,” for its own manufacturers,
prime minister Valery Pustovoitenko announced.

The statement made during a visit to Kirovohrad Oblast, a city
which is home to two large tractor and machinery factories. The
Financial Times suggests the two companies, Avtoshtamp and
Krasnaya Zvezda, may have been electioneering in time for the polls on
March 29.

European Union officials said it is too early to comment on the
ban. But the EU has previously threatened sanctions against
restrictions on imports of used cars to the former Soviet
republic.

The Ukraine government said it is considering financial support to
a total of eight enterprises in Kirovohrad Oblast, including the two
tractor plants.

• Financial Times 13/03/98 page 5