Ukraine in talks to increase coal exports

Friday, 29 May 2009 17:32:14 (GMT+2)

It is reported that the Ministry of Coal Industry of Ukraine is in talks to increase coal exports to Moldova, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

According to Ukraine's coal industry minister Viktor Poltavets, despite the obvious oversupply of coal extracted in the country, in Q1 2009 Ukraine imported 1.25 million mt of coking coal. "The price of imported coal is 40-60 percent higher," adding that the allegations of local steel producers that domestic coking coal is of lower quality compared to imports are not true.

The high level of coking coal imports was explained by the minister as part of efforts by the Ukrainian steelmakers to lower the prices of coal extracted in the country.

"In crisis conditions, this is not right, as they are actually helping the foreign coal extractors and are causing losses for national coalmines," Mr. Poltavets stated, adding that the Ukrainian prime minister has issued instructions for the drawing up of a draft resolution on import quotas for coking coal and the introduction of controls as regards its quality.

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