Contacts: In Washington: Andrew C. Kircher (202) 473 6313 akircher1@worldbank.org; Mike Jones (202) 473 2588 Mjones2@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, April 24, 2008 - World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick today thanked Ukraine for its decision to lift restrictions on exports of grain, calling the move an important contribution to addressing the global food crisis. In telephone calls to President Viktor A. Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko, Zoellick said: “This important step will make additional grain available to global markets at a critical time. Ukraine is making a significant contribution to the global effort to ease the current food crisis.” Zoellick also noted Ukraine’s decision will provide an incentive to the country’s farmers to increase food production. The World Bank Group President is calling on food producing countries to keep markets open. “We are urging countries not to use export bans to try and protect domestic supply. These controls encourage hoarding, drive up prices and hurt the poorest people around the world who are struggling to feed themselves.” Background Information: - Last marketing season (July 2006-June 2007) Ukraine exported 9.6 million tons of grain. A year earlier, this number was a record 13.2 million tons.
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