Features
EBRD2024: EBRD expects Emerging Europe growth boost in 2024, but slightly lowers forecast
Development bank makes downward revision in latest forecasts after worse than expected Q1 figures for Central Europe.
Russia's nuclear diplomacy binding emerging markets to the Kremlin
Currently, Rosatom controls approximately 70% of the world export market for the construction of nuclear power plants where emerging powers in the global south are trying to boost their energy production and turning to Moscow for nuclear power.
Joining the EU has been the best reform strategy for any former Warsaw pact country
After 20 years in the EU, a comparison of Poland and Romania with Ukraine, which is waiting to join, highlights the prosperity it brings its newest members.
IIF analysis shows Kazakhstan’s economy faces bumps in the road – but no major obstacles as things stand
Central Asia’s largest economy hindered by major oil field development delays. Officials must also stay wary of threat posed by secondary sanctions.
Demographics and equality main national goals in Putin's latest May's Decree
Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated the 12 National Projects that were launched in 2019 to transform Russia and improve the quality of life. The programme was upgraded last year to National Projects 2.0 and now have been expanded again.
Chinese cars are flooding the Gulf Arabian auto markets
However, in a striking turn of events, the past decade has witnessed the advent of a new contender in the GCC auto market – Chinese car manufacturers.
Ukraine’s strategy of hitting Russian oil refineries is working
Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries are doing what oil sanctions failed to do: reducing the Kremlin’s income from oil production, limiting its supply of fuel for the army and pushing up domestic prices, without driving up oil prices.
PROFILE: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda
Polls show that incumbent could win re-election on May 12 without requiring a run-off.
EU turning a blind eye to Russian LNG flowing through its terminals
Europe has been turning a blind eye to a fifth of Russia’s LNG output that is flowing through EU ports, either to be consumed by member states or sent on to customers around the world, in what is a lucrative trade for the Kremlin.
Dollar remains dominant in global trade, but global tensions are fragmenting the world, says IMF
The global economic landscape is undergoing a transformation not seen since the end of the Cold War. Soaring geopolitical tensions have seen the world fragment into large trading blocs based on economic and national security concerns.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan join forces to power Europe
The energy component of the Trans-Caspian and Middle Corridors are expanding, not only through oil and gas but also through green energy. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have joined forces to supply Europe with power.
Relokanty: Is Russia’s loss Central Asia’s gain?
Maximising the benefits of Russia’s surprising exodus.
A private company is building Belarus President Lukashenko a luxurious bolthole in Russia's Sochi – investigation
A private company linked to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is reportedly constructing a luxurious bolthole with hotel, restaurant and chalets in Russia’s mountainous village of Krasnaya Polyana, near Sochi, a joint investigation found.
New India-Europe transit corridor set to challenge IMEC, Suez routes
The battle of the corridors is heating up as India promotes a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route that will connect the subcontinent with Europe by traversing the Middle East over land then sea to the EU via Haifa in Israel.
The Kremlin scores propaganda points with a display of captured tanks and armour ahead of the Victory Day parade
An exhibition of captured military trophies has opened in Moscow, ahead of the May 9 annual Victory Day parade, showing off Nato armour and vehicles captured by Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict.
North Macedonia’s opposition gears up for return to power
Uncertainly over North Macedonia's EU accession path as opposition conservative VMRO-DPMNE is poised for a comeback after eight years in opposition.
Russia’s poorest regions amongst the biggest winners from the war spending
Russia’s heavy military spending is acting as an income inequality equaliser. A raft of Russia’s poorest regions are the biggest winner from the militarisation of the Russian economy, as state money pours into fixing up regional factories.
Foreign investments spark surge in Serbia's auto parts manufacturing
Wave of investments into auto parts manufacturing now includes moves into electro-mobility.
Russia’s government to change following Putin inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for his fifth term in office on May 7 and, according to the Russian constitution, the government must resign.
Russian technology imports at pre-war levels, tougher export controls needed – Bruegel
Russia’s imports of Western technology have reached pre-war levels and the export control regime to stop the trade is full of holes. Tougher rules, enforcement and bigger fines are needed to curb the trade, according to a report by Bruegel.