As of June 1 the rates for the general public 1) for cold water supplies will increase twfold, 2) the rates for hot water supplies will grow by 85%, and 3) the rates for heating will alsmost grow by 50% (to be exact 48.8%). Thsi decision is ruled by the Kyiv City State Administration.

The rates for cold water supplies and sewerage in houses and flats equipped with utility meters will be UAH 3.02 per cubic meter (UAH 1.48 at present), and in houses and flat not equipped with utility meters - UAH 16.61 per person (UAH 8.14 at present). This represents a 104% rise in rates for cold water supplies.

The rates for hot water supplies and sewerage in houses and flats equipped with utility meters will be set at UAH 13.69 per cubic meter (UAH 7.38 at present), which is an 85.5% rise; and in houses and flats not equipped with utility meters to UAH 47.92 per person (UAH 25.89 at present), which is an 85.1% rise.

Heating rates for people in houses and flats not equipped with utility meters will grow to UAH 2.38 per square meter of heated area (now UAH 1.60), which is 48.8% growth.

But while the utilities prices grow, the rent prices for Kiev short-term and long-term accomodation are still very affrodable and with a reliable and friendly service provided by experienced and professional kievapartments.ca staff, you are sure to find the best offer for your accomodation needs in Kiev, either on business or on pleasure.  To explore what we have to offer, please check our extensive listing of the best and affordably-priced apartments using this elaborate and flexible search functionality that helps you to filer accomodation offers by such criteria as Kiev Rent Price, Proximity to Downtown Kiev, Number of Rooms, District, Flat Condition, Neighbourhood, Street,  Subway Station, Apartment features, Community Features, Number of sleeping places, etc. Our Apartmetn Search Function can be accessed here

According to National Radio Company of Ukraine citing Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko - financial crisis had somewhat lower impact on the country’s overall situation than it was expected. What are the consequences of this? Read more…

13-05-2009 16:07 According to International Financial Institutions: Financial crisis in Ukraine is less destructive than expected
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said referring to assessments made by international experts that the financial crisis in Ukraine is less destructive than predicted.

“The international financial and economic community has made a conclusion that the crisis in Ukraine, Poland, and some Baltic countries is less destructive than expected. Thus, Ukraine is tackling all of the challenges more successfully than expected,” she said at a government meeting on Wednesday. Yulia Timoshenko (Tymoshenko) said that certain directions of the work on tackling the crisis would be strengthened.

So does it mean that crisis indeed had just a slight impact on the economy? Yes and no. This is true that that the expected collapse of the whole economic system did not happen. Banking and financial services sector has survived. The industrial output decreased significantly, but at the same time balance of payment reversed the negative dynamics of the last year and now promises for better result as of the end of 2009. Of course, the real GPD is expected to shrink, the same as the real income of the population. But what is true is that CPI growth rate has also slowed down.

What all this means to the US, Canadian, or European visitor or potential investor? First of all, it makes travel to Kiev (Kyiv) and other regions of Ukraine, including all the cities authorized to host Euro Soccer Cup 2012 (Kharkiv, Lviv and Donetsk – remember Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk were rejected) very, very cheap and attractive. Just compare prices for hotel and short-term apartment accommodation in the capital of Ukraine Kiev (Kyiv) and other cities with those of the last year? Don’t forget to take into account huge devaluation of hryvnya (UAH) to US dollar and all other currencies (CAD, EUR, even Russian ruble). According to many financial analysts Ukrainian national currency (UAH) is one of the most depreciated and under-evaluated currencies. By Big Mac index it should be around 3 UAH per USD, while now it is close to 8. Well, the process of reevaluating of hryvnia already started, but still any traveler to Ukraine enjoys enormous buying power having her dollars, euros, or pounds. At a fraction of the cost, you can buy the best Italian fashion design producst, travel from Lviv (Lvov) to Donetsk, stay at the best resorts of Crimea at the mild and tender Black Sea, dine at the finest restaurants of Podil, Hreshatyk, and even enjoy the excellent quality Ukrainian horylka (Ukrainin vodka) such as Nemiroff or other world brands at the price of couple cans of Coke. Isnt’ this incredible?   

Second it opens great opportunities to investors. Now, real estate, commercial property and land are priced from 50% to 30% of what it cost last year (summer 2008). Since, we all expect the world economic crisis to calm down after all, then the next big rally is short ahead. And buying the invaluable assets that Ukraine offer at incredibly low price, isn’t this an attractive opportunity for a smart investor?

Well, good luck with your travel and business in Ukraine!