27 September 2011
Vice Prime Minister for Social Policy Sergiy Tigipko said Ukraine could raise household gas tariffs by the end of 2011, Kommersant reported yesterday, citing RBC-Ukraine. Tigipko said the unpopular move could be necessary to cope with pressure from a global economic slowdown. The International Monetary Fund has insisted on Ukraine raising household gas tariffs before resuming its USD 16 bln loan program. The announcement follows similar statements by Presidnet Viktor Yanukovych and First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Klyuev last week acknowledging that Ukraine could raise the rates in October-November after increasing social supports to cushion the impact of the hike. Tigipko has been Ukraine’s lead negotiator in talks with the IMF.