• Turkey has invested more than $260 million in Ukraine’s ag sector so far this year, Ukrinform reported. And with a free trade agreement between the two countries on the horizon, they hope to double bilateral trade volumes in the near future, according to a report by Interfax Ukraine.

• The European Investment Bank intends to give Ukrzaliznitsa 150 million euros to modernize the state company’s rail lines, Ekonomicheskaya Pravda reported. The project will fund modernization of about 250 kilometers of railroad track in southern regions of Ukraine.

• Ukraine’s gold reserves fell $300 million between October and November, as reported by Ekonomicheskaya Pravda. The head of the national bank said that next year, the situation could become a threat to financial stability.

• Statistics show that 43 percent of Ukrainians are getting subsidies for utilities and other services, and an additional 24 percent intend to sign up for subsidies, stated a Zyerkalo Nedyeli report. The results came from a November survey by the a group called Rating.

• Ukrgazvydobuvania is asking the Cabinet to adjust regulations to allow leading global petroleum companies to explore for oil and gas in Ukraine, according to a report in Ekonomicheskaya Pravda.

• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will give $10 million to Ukrainian delivery company Meest Express. With about 12 percent market share, it is the country’s third-largest outfit in that field.

• Airlines and air freight companies are looking to expand into new markets and add routes, according to Novoe Vremya. Ukrainian International Airlines, Dniproavia, Yanair and Bravo will petition the government to add service to a variety of destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Caucasus. KRUNK and Aeroviz will seek clearance to fly freight to a wide array of countries.

• Power transmission by Ukrenergo fell 9.5 percent in the January-October period, Interfax Ukraine reported.

• Vodafone Ukraine rescinded its application to buy Ukrtelecom subsidiary TriMob, multiple news outlets reported. The decision was prompted by the State Property Fund’s refusal to approve the purchase.

• Two Ukrainian startups that produce educational materials for children have caught investors’ eye, according to ain.ua. Smart Koala makes interactive picture books that teach English to kids who speak Russian, while Robo Wunderkind creates modular robotic toys that help youngsters learn.