• Ukrainians spent a record $154 million on new automobiles in October, Ekonomicheskaya Pravda reported, citing trade group AUTO-Consulting. The average purchase price paid for a new vehicle was $26,000.

• The EBRD may increase investment in Ukraine next year, multiple sources reported. 2016 investment has fallen 60 percent, but the bank will monitor reforms in the government ministries and departments in next year’s investment levels.

• The Odessa port plans to widen wharf No. 7 in a major project estimated to cost about $35 million. The tender is open for applications until Dec. 12. The auction is slated for Jan. 17.

• Ukraine will have to pay back $2.6 billion in debt next year, Ekonomicheskaya Pravda reported.

• Ukrainians’ real wages in October declined 3 percent from the previous month, but rose 6.2 percent from October 2015, Unian reported. The highest average salaries in October were in air transportation, financial and insurance services and the telecom industry.

• The country’s telecom regulator wants to issue a tender for a nationwide 4G wireless network, multiple news outlets reported. Chairman Alexander Zhivotovskii said the government will prepare initial 4G licenses in the second or third quarter of 2017.

• A Ukrainian businessman wants to build eight new shopping centers in Kyiv, Novoe Vremya reported. Vagif Aliev already has Blockbuster Mall and Ocean Mall in Kyiv. Of the new shopping centers he plans to build, three are located on the city’s left bank.

• Lithuanian investors are ready to get involved in green energy projects in Ukraine, Interfax Ukraine reported. Ukrainian officials met with representatives a various Lithuanian companies specializing in renewable energy. Ukraine’s State Agency for Energy Efficiency will send Lithuania a list of green projects that need investment.

• Ukroboronprom showed its capabilities at NATO headquarters. At the AUSA forum in October, Ukraine’s state arms production group unveiled its strategy for reforming the military-industrial complex, Ekonomicheskaya Pravda reported.

• The government is assembling a task force to draw up a program for reviving Ukraine’s aviation industry, Interfax reported.

For comments and news tips, please email UBJ AM editor David Edwards at david.edwards@theubj.com.