OREANDA-NEWS. On August 04, 2008 The Ukrainian Transport and Communications Ministry assessed a preliminary damage done to the transport sector after the recent flooding in Ukraine's western regions at UAH 1.65 billion (USD 1 / UAH 4.85).

Transport and Communications Minister Yosyp Vinsky announced this sum during a special meeting of the government on Monday, adding that it "is constantly increasing as water levels fall and damaged facilities are checked."

Damage done to road industry is UAH 1.19 billion. In this connection, Vinsky stressed the need for MPs, during consideration of amendments to the national budget for 2008, to provide Ukravtodor with state guarantees worth UAH 24.3 billion to raise loans.

"If this decision is ignored, the funds should then be taken from other sources, including those foreseen for Euro 2012, that will have certain circumstances in the future," he said.

On July 31, the Verkhovna Rada, while passing amendments to the national budget for 2008, ignored the government's proposal to provide Ukravtodor with state guarantees worth UAH 24.3 billion to raise loans for infrastructure reconstruction.