• According to a survey of member companies carried out by the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry & Commerce, 68% of the companies plan new investments in Ukraine, and 78% see clear conditions for sales growth. Ukrainian exports of food, clothing, and auto parts to Germany are increasing.

• The Ukrainian parliament has passed a new law on simplifying the application procedure for foreigner work and residence permits. According to CMS Cameron McKenna, measures give priorities to entrepreneurs and graduates of ‘top 100 universities.’ Presidential signature is needed. Full details here.

• The European Parliament has raised its quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products. According to Interfax-Ukraine, the parliament has supported a proposal of the European Commission to increase tariff quotas for honey, corn, barley, oats, cereals and processed grain, grape juice from Ukraine.

• Sunflower planting in Ukraine is exceeding expectations, UkrAgroConsult reported. Sunflower was planted on 5.5 million hectares by May 30, 4.4% higher than last year. Soy was planted on 1.8 million hectares, 1.9% higher than last year.

• Sugar production is likely to remain flat in Ukraine this year. According to The National Association of Sugar Producers (Ukrtsukor), Ukraine is set to produce 2.0-2.05 million tons of sugar, compared with 2.008 million last season.

• Ukrainian social media users are migrating to Facebook after Russian social media sites were blocked in mid-May by Ukraine’s government. According to a report by Watcher, 1.5 million new users have joined Facebook in Ukraine since the ban. The site’s total Ukraine audience now is 8.3 million, registering 35-40% annual growth.

• Gas transit in Ukraine rose 21.8% over the last five months, Interfax-Ukraine reported. The total amount of gas that transited was 38.255 billion cubic meters.

• The EU has launched a three-year anti-corruption drive, Interfax-Ukraine reported. The program costs EUR 15.8 million and features three elements: strengthening anti-corruption organs, creation of a consultative council, and fostering support of civil society and media.

• The Ukrainian government expects the average wage to rise, Ukrinform has reported. According to Social Policy Minister of Ukraine Andriy Reva, the average monthly wage is ‘/ UAH 6,600 ($254) but could grow to UAH 7,100 ($273) by the end of this year.

• Ukraine lost 1% of its economic growth due to the Donbas blockade, the country’s prime minister Volodomyr Groysman said, according to Ukrinform. He said the blockade was only in Russia’s interest.According to a survey of member companies carried out by the German-Ukrainian Industrial Chamber of Commerce, 68% of the companies plan new investments in Ukraine, and 78% see clear conditions for sales growth. Ukrainian exports of food, clothing, and auto parts to Germany are increasing.