Ukraine approves legislation in a bid for IMF aid

31/3/2020 18:53

        Ukraine's parliament has voted to lift the ban on the sale of farmland in a move that would allow the country to get $8 billion worth of aid from the International Monetary Fund.
        
        The bill, long pushed by economists to stimulate investment in agriculture, was approved by 259 votes out of 450 late Monday. It opens up the land market for Ukrainian citizens starting from July 1, 2021, and for Ukrainian companies starting from 2024.
        
        Ukrainians will vote on a nationwide referendum on whether to allow foreigners to buy farmland.
        
        Speaking in parliament Monday night, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed the importance of getting the IMF loan.