The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers is considering the UAH 8.5/$1 exchange rate as a guideline for the average annual exchange rate in 2010, the Delo newspaper has reported, referring to its sources in the government.
"We're discussing the hryvnia exchange rate for next year, but I think that we would stop at the UAH 8.5/$1," the newspaper reported, citing a top official.
The newspaper also said that the cabinet would set $260 per thousand cubic meters of gas as the average price in a draft national budget for 2010.
According to Ukrainian law, the cabinet by September 15 is to approve a draft national budget for next year and submit it to the parliament.
As reported, in 2010 inflation is expected at 9.7% and GDP growth at 3%: the indicators have been agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The hryvnia exchange rate since the start of 2009 has fallen by 3.13%, to UAH 8.13/$1 from UAH 8.05/$1. The National Bank of Ukraine since the start of the year has sold some $8 billion to support the national currency.
