OREANDA-NEWS. On May 14, 2008 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has proposed to permit distilleries to export alcohol without mediators, reported the Official website www.kmu.gov.ua.

A respective bill foresees the introduction of the mechanism for conducting the export of ethyl alcohol, according to which distilling plants will have the chance to sell it individually under profitable conditions on the domestic market.

Distilleries are currently exporting alcohol only via state enterprises, which have been specially authorized by the government. They include Ukrspyrt Concern, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Sumy, Chernihiv and Ternopil distilleries.

Alcohol exports fell by 22,8% in 2007 compared to 2006, to 77,448 million liters.

It was earlier reported that the government planned to double excise rates for ethyl alcohol.