As the regulator notes, a number of changes are aimed at increasing Ukraine’s investment attractiveness and attracting private foreign capital, as well as strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
What has changed for business
The National Bank of Ukraine allowed Ukrainian businesses to reimburse non-residents for expenses incurred due to their participation in providing external credit to a Ukrainian borrower. The condition for conducting such a transaction is that the guarantor, guarantor or insurer of the external loan must be a foreign export credit agency or a foreign international financial organization (IFI).
Also, entrepreneurs can now transfer funds in favor of foreign companies, whose shareholders include a foreign state, to pay insurance payments under contracts providing for the coverage of military risks on the territory of Ukraine.
In addition, residents are allowed to transfer funds based on the guarantees or sureties provided by them, which ensure the fulfillment of the obligations of resident borrowers under external credits and loans.
The ability of resident borrowers to purchase foreign currency for its reservation under a credit agreement with an MFI has been normalized, which will increase MFI support for Ukrainian business.
In addition, the National Bank introduced clarifying changes to the May package of currency liberalization, which was allowed to make scheduled interest payments on external corporate debt.
What has changed for the population and volunteers
First of all, the National Bank of Ukraine expanded the list of defense goods that natural persons-volunteers can buy abroad. The list includes components for UAVs, as well as thermal blankets and thermal heaters.
This list now includes thermal imagers, walkie-talkies, bulletproof vests, helmets, helmets, military and tactical uniforms, military and tactical footwear, protective clothing, optical surveillance devices, unmanned aerial vehicles, sleeping bags and first aid supplies.
In addition to the possibility of making charitable contributions by non-residents in foreign currency on the territory of Ukraine, the NBU enabled them to make appropriate transfers in hryvnia. Such contributions can be made to the accounts of both state bodies and charitable foundations.
Another item is the permission for natural persons to return social benefits received in a foreign country. Thanks to these changes, Ukrainians will be able to fulfill their obligations to the authorized bodies of foreign countries, which will make it possible to prevent the deterioration of the conditions for providing assistance to forced migrants.
Also, the NBU specified the norm regarding the limit of UAH 100,000 per day for the purchase of cash currency for non-cash funds in hryvnia, which corresponds to the current limit for issuing cash. The clarification applies exclusively to non-cash funds, and therefore, Ukrainians will continue to be able to exchange currency for cash without restrictions on the amount.
We will remind you that the demand for currency continues to grow in Ukraine, so banks are increasing the volume of its import into the country. At the same time, less foreign currency was exported.
