State companies transferred UAH 15.5 billion to the national budget last year, according to the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

"State-owned enterprises should not be just a source to cover holes in the budget. The loss of a significant part of profit limits the ability of state-owned companies to reinvest in modernization or production development. This is a knowingly losing business model, which in the long term will lead to a decline in state assets," First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Maksym Nefyodov said.

According to the ministry, UAH 15.2 billion of the amount were dividends, accrued on shares of economic companies with a state stake in charter capital. Another UAH 223.5 million were withdrawn as part of the net income of state unitary enterprises and their associations.

According to the ministry, the largest amount of dividends to the national budget in 2016 was paid by Naftogaz Ukrainy: almost UAH 13.3 billion, which is 87% of the total amount of dividends paid by state companies.