Employers have submitted over 7,000 applications for the state financial assistance of up to UAH 8,000 for more than 170,000 of their employees, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture said.

"The approximate amount of assistance under this program, according to employers' calculations, will be about UAH 677 million. The recalculation of funds in accordance with the applications will begin tomorrow, that is, from December 23," Minister for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko said.

The largest number of documents was submitted by employers of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, the Economy Ministry said.

Among the largest enterprises that intend to use the program are Boryspil Airport, structural divisions of Ukrzaliznytsia, regional offices of Ukravtodor (the State Automobile Roads Agency of Ukraine), confectionery factory Kharkivchanka, Turboatom, Windrose Airlines and others.

In terms of industries, companies from the transport industry, heavy and light industry, construction, agriculture, trade enterprises, and hotels showed the greatest interest in the program.