Ukraine's inflation rate may pick up in the coming months but the government is sticking to its forecast for annual inflation to almost halve this year, the economy ministry said. Rising energy wholesale prices, higher costs for coal used in the smelting industry and higher public transport fares may add to inflationary pressures from March 2001, Viktor Kalnyk, first deputy economy minister, said late on Feb. 7.

"There are also risks linked to monetary factors and revenue from privatisation