On January 13, the session of the Lutsk City Council adopted the city budget for 2005.

By a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On the Establishment of Territorial Bodies of the State Forestry Committee,” which took effect on January 1 of this year, the Volyn Regional Forestry Administration was established.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, the monetary base in Ukraine increased by 34.1%, or by UAH 13 billion 672 million, in January-December 2004, and now stands at UAH 53 billion 762 million, while the money supply increased by 32.

In Lutsk, the fee for children attending kindergartens has increased. This decision was made by the executive committee of the Lutsk City Council. The increase in the fee is a forced step, explain the city council. In November-December, food products sharply rose in price.

In January-December 2004, Ukraine's industrial production grew by 12.5% compared to January-December 2003. This was reported by the State Statistics Committee, informs "Ukrainian News". \n \nAs reported, in January-November Ukraine's industrial production grew by 13.4% compared to the corresponding period of 2003.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in January-December 2004 consumer prices rose by 12.3%. This is reported by "Ukrainian News". \n \nIn particular, prices for food products in January-December rose by 15.3%, for non-food products - rose by 5.4%, for services - rose by 7.9%.

The company "Ukrainian Mobile Communications" (UMC) has the opportunity in the coming year to independently provide international and long-distance telephone communication services, the company reported. \n \nThe license allowing the provision of these services took effect on January 1, 2005.

The National Bank of Ukraine has extended the limit on cash issuance to legal entities and individual entrepreneurs in the amount of up to UAH 80,000 per month.

Colombia is placed 88th, and Brazil 90th. According to the general recognition of experts, Ukraine's economy belongs to the category of a "mostly unfree economy.

In November, Ukraine's direct external debt increased by 0.3%, or by 22.9 million dollars, and as of November 30 amounted to 8811.9 million dollars, reports "Ukrainian News". \n \nAccording to information from the Ministry of Finance, Ukraine's direct domestic debt in November decreased by 0.4%, or by 90.