Today, May 16 the Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergiy Marchenko and the President of Japan International Cooperation Agency "Jaika" (JICA) Dr. Tanaka signed a loan agreement on granting Ukraine a USD 100 mln preferential loan. This was reported in the press service of the Ministry of Finance.

"The preferential loan of 13 billion yen, which is the first part of the agreed financial assistance between Ukraine and Japan, will be directed to the state budget to finance priority expenses, first of all, to support the most unprotected population of Ukraine," said Sergei Marchenko.

The signed Agreement, above all, refers to the budget support for stabilization of the situation in Ukraine, in particular, to ensure the priority social, humanitarian expenditures, health care, support to internally displaced persons and other priority expenses.

The maturity of the loan is 30 years, including a grace period of 10 years; the interest rate is 1% per annum.