• An international business council, uniting business associations and chambers of commerce from six countries, was set up in Ukraine, Xinhua reported. A memorandum was signed by representatives of China, the United States, Germany, Turkey, France and Ukraine.

• The development strategy of Boryspil International Airport implies a near 5-fold increase in passenger traffic over the next 15 years, to 40 million people. Boryspil International Airport CEO Pavlo Riabikin made this forecast this during the Infrastructure Forum, an Ukrinform reported.

• The number of foreigners visiting Ukraine in 2016 increased by 5.6% compared to 2015, to 13.6 million people, according to a report from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

• The Southern Silk Road is to be a competitive alternative to routes through Russia, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine affirmed.

• Ukraine and Iran are to launch a test train to transport agricultural products, the press service of the Infrastructure Ministry said. The test train may run this summer.

• Dniprovahonmash sold 404 rail freight cars in 2016, while in 2015 only 68 wagons were sold. According to the company's annual financial statements, production of freight cars grew 5.7 times, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

• Ukrainian grain exporters target markets in Asia with fast population growth, including China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia. Grain exports will likely increase by one third by in the next three to five years, BlackSeaGrain reported.

• Social Policy Minister Andriy Reva says Ukraine has agreed 99% of its pension reform with the International Monetary Fund’s mission, which last week completed its work in the country.

• The State Automobile Roads Agency, Ukravtodor, sees a potential in creating a high-speed highway between Gdansk (Poland) and Odesa, acting head of the agency Slawomir Nowak has said.

• China Harbour Engineering company Ltd. has won an open tender to implement the first stage of the reconstruction of Yuzhny maritime merchandise port, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

For comments and news tips, please email UBJ AM editor Vitalii Dubenskyi at vitalii.dubenskyi@theubj.com.