The Aval Bank’s credit portfolio to agricultural producers has exceeded UAH 1 billion or two-thirds of the total portfolio of credits to agricultural enterprises, having been increased twice since the beginning of 2004, the Bank Press Center reports with reference to Director of the Loan Department of the Aval JSPPB Victor HORBACHOV.

In V. HORBACHOV’s words, about UAH 500 million more or 30% of the Agro-Industrial Complex (AIC) credit portfolio, is made up of credits granted directly to agricultural products processing enterprises and mediators.

V. HORBACHOV also noted that such a ratio of the AIC credits is traditional for the first half of the year, when a demand for credit resources grows in connection with preparation for and carrying out of spring field works.

At that, in the second half of the year, as a rule, a share of credits to agricultural producers reduces to 30% of the total AIC credit portfolio, while credits to processing enterprises of agricultural products grow to 70%.

As V. HORBACHOV stressed, in the current year, Aval Bank does not intend to purposely sustain crediting to the AIC and plans to maintain volumes of capital investments into the AIC at the level of 2003.

At that, he added, the Bank approaches each borrower very reasonably and, while granting resources, it is guided by ratings elaborated on the basis of its work experience for the previous years.