• Ukroboronprom, Turkish defense electronics group Havelsan, and Saudi Arabian technology venture Taqnia have concluded an agreement to work together on the creation of a maritime patrol and surveillance variant of the Antonov AN-132D aircraft, janes.com reports.

• Ukraine and Turkey plans to work together to build drones, including unmanned combat aerial vehicles, Ukroboronprom reports.

• S&P; Global Ratings estimates large principal and interest repayments coming due over 2017-2020 at more than $20 billion, or about 21% of 2017 GDP, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

• Ukraine's production of coal dropped by 22.1% year-on-year, to 2.71 million metric tones in April from 3.48 million metric tones produced in April 2016, the energy and coal industry ministry reported Thursday, citing preliminary data.

• UkrGasVydobuvannya produced 1.239 billion cubic meters of natural gas in April, which is 5.3 million cubic meters higher compared to the planned figures, the company’s press service reports.

• The Infrastructure Ministry is to use Germany's 100 million euro loan to upgrade suburban electric trains for Ukrzaliznytsya, the ministry’s press service says.

• Ukrzaliznytsia funneled almost $49 million into capital investment in January-March 2017, which was 60% up year-over-year, the railroad’s press service says.

• Iceland is willing to establish a visa-free regime with Ukraine, following the EU Schengen model, Andriy Olefirov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Finland and Iceland, tweeted.

The EU• will spend €10 million to support Ukraine in implementing a comprehensive Public Administration Reform Strategy through 2020, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

• The Affordable Medicines state program will be increased by up to $28.3 million, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman told 112 Ukraine TV channel.

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