The National Bank of Ukraine has introduced a package of measures to support companies in strategic sectors, including the agro-industrial complex.
As stated on the NBU website, the decision was made to address the consequences of hostilities, attacks on critical infrastructure, and the destruction of maritime export logistics.
In particular, from 1 July to 1 September, banks were granted the right not to classify borrowers as in default in the event of a short-term debt restructuring of up to one year, if the company’s financial difficulties are caused by the war.
To support agricultural producers, the NBU has eased collateral requirements for agricultural products. Banks were allowed to increase the liquidity coefficient for such collateral from 0.4 to 0.75, calculate its value based on actual inventories, and extend the maximum term of the loan agreement from 12 to 18 months. This will enable farmers to raise additional funds to cover the costs of storing the harvest and finding new logistics routes.
In addition, the regulator introduced unified approaches to accounting for two-tier guarantee instruments, which should help attract financing under the EU’s Ukraine Facility program, and clarified the rules for counting days past due on consumer loans to individuals.
The new rules take effect on 8 August.