Retail chains will have an opportunity to attract soft loans, says Denys Shmyhal

The program of free distribution of food packages in the frontline cities of Ukraine has triggered. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a Government session on April 5.

According to him, almost 200,000 such packages with food and hygienic products have already been distributed, most of them in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions.

"In total, we will pack almost 12 million such packages. 133,000 tons of products to

the tune of almost UAH 4 billion have already been procured. The most of the products we buy is from Ukrainian manufacturers. We load Ukrainian enterprises with orders. We prop up every business, every entrepreneur as much as we can," Denis Shmygal emphasized.

During the meeting, the Government endorsed a decision, thereby allowing retailers to attract soft loans up to UAH 1 billion for a period of 1 year at 5% per annum. According to the Prime Minister, this will enable the country to replenish working capital, not close stores and pay for products to Ukrainian manufacturers timely.

"In the light of current situation, food chains have in fact become objects of critical infrastructure. The Government is working closely with such networks to secure that all towns and villages have food, social goods and basic necessities," urged the Head of Government.

Denys Shmyhal accentuates that the Gov’t is well aware of the situation and will provide support to stores now facing many force majeure situations and problems.