EVENT

Russian bookstore network intends to open seven stores in Ukraine

The Bukvoied Ltd (RF), a company running a network of bookstores in Russia, intends to open at least seven stores of different formats in Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities under the Read-city brand. This was reported in a press release by the representative office of Colliers International (Kyiv), a consulting company which represents the landlord of a property used by a bookstore network in Kyiv. According to the press release, the Bukvoied rents a three-story building in 3b B. Khmelnytskoho str. with the total area of 1.29 thousand sq m. A Read-city store will be opened there in April. The “book club” will cover all three floors.

Israelis to invest in Ukrainian “garbage” methane

Blue Sphere Corporation (Israel) signed two contracts through its representatives last week with two Ukrainian landfill-managing companies. The contracts focus on reducing hydrocarbon emissions by burning methane gas. Blue Sphere does not disclose the names of its partners in Ukraine, specifying only that one of the landfills is not far from Kyiv, and the other is in eastern Ukraine, near a major industrial center. According to the company’s report, total investment in the projects is estimated at $3 million, excluding the cost of power generation equipment. The report also indicates that the project with result in the creation of around 1.05 million emission reduction units (ERU) within 13 years, from which Blue Sphere will receive 0.855 million. The company estimates potential revenue at $24 million, taking into account current prices and growth prospects. Moreover, the company plans to obtain additional revenue from power generated by methane gas combustion. The projects are expected to reach break-even level within two years.

US Congress adopted Obama’s health care reform

US House of Representatives adopted a draft law defining health care reforms for the country. It has become one of the main projects of the Barack Obama administration. 219 congressmen voted for adoption, 212 – against. In order to enlist the support of legislators who are against abortion, Obama promised to issue a decree on Sunday, which would impose restrictions prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion. The US President endorsed the voting results by calling the draft law adoption an event of historic significance. The reform that became a priority of the internal policy of the Obama administration, intends to provide medical insurance for 32 million people who were previously uninsured. According to the Budget Department, in the final version of the reform plan it is said that the federal budget deficit will be reduced by $138 billion in 10 years. The project realization will cost around $940 billion for the same period. The reform will cover more people through tax benefits for the middle class and enlarging the Medicaid program for low-income citizens. It is the most serious change in the US health care system since 1960s, when the Medicare program, a budget-paid scheme covering some expenses of over 65-year olds, was launched.