OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2012. Ukraine's GDP growth for 2012 will be on a more conservative scenario of the economy development than it has been seemed at the beginning of the year. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov, speaking at the IX Congress of the Federation of Employers.

"We’ve been focused on growth in 2012 of about 3.5%. According to conservative scenario, we ended the year with a plus. Economic growth will be, but, unfortunately, at a slower pace than we expected. This is due primarily to changes in the price situation at our traditional export commodities and reduced demand for them",  Mykola Azarov said.

The Prime Minister noted that this year, the agricultural sector has received about 10 million tons of grain less than last year. According to the PM, as a result, the budget received USD 3 billion or UAH 25 billion less than it would at a higher yield, which is about 2% of GDP.

In addition, Mykola Azarov added, relative slowdown in the construction industry has been recorded in 2012. In his opinion, this is due to a relatively high base last year, when implemented major infrastructure projects related to the preparation for Euro-2012.

Earlier, the Prime Minister predicted GDP growth of about 3% in 2013. Mykola Azarov noted that under the current situation on the world markets, GDP growth may be a bit less - 2.4-2.5%, and with an optimistic situation - more. At the same time the Prime Minister has predicted moderate inflation, and he said that the Cabinet is discussing the macroeconomic indicators of 2013 year with the IMF.