Latest Updates

KYIV BLOG: What’s to be done about those who are to blame in Ukraine?

Attention has been dramatically refocused from the high hopes from Zelenskiy’s radically anti-corruption and reformist legislative agenda to a single question: what is his relationship with his oligarchic backer Ihor Kolomoisky?

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MACRO ADVISER: Winter debates that will shape the Russian economy and (maybe) politics

Against the backdrop of still weak economic indicators and deteriorating public confidence, the debates amongst senior officials over how to boost activity are intensifying.

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US, Belarus agree to return ambassadors despite lack of Minsk's progress with human rights

The US administration and authoritarian Belarus, headed by Alexander Lukashenko, Europe's longest-ruling head of state, have agreed to "prepared to exchange ambassadors as the next step in normalising our relationship"

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SAUDI OIL ATTACKS: Iran warns of wider conflict, Trump becomes unlikely fan of UN

Riyadh presents debris it says shows Tehran at least sponsored pre-dawn strikes, Houthis stage press call to substantiate their military capabilities.

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SAUDI OIL ATTACKS: US reaches the Iran Rubicon

There’s some tough talk about as White House works out how to respond to weekend’s strikes, but hesitancy shown by key officials in both Riyadh and Washington shows the Iranians may have their foes firmly on the back foot.

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COMMENT: Moldovan president’s determination to stop an airport deal appears increasingly misleading

As a president with questionable allies and commercial partners renews his attacks on the foreign owner of the country’s only international airport, foreign capital takes flight for good.

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LONG READ: Shopping for Russian stocks with ETFs

Russia’s stock market has returned about 30% this year making it one of the best performing in the world, but as a retail investor how do you go about buying some Russian shares? bne IntelliNews reviews the dozen exchange-traded funds.

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NEWSBASE: Market reels as Aramco facilities come under fire

A major attack on Saudi oil facilities has cut production by 5.7mn bpd, but the full effect will not be felt until existing reserves dry up.

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KYIV BLOG: Zelenskiy's honeymoon with foreign investors is over as NBU ex-governor Gontareva's dacha burns

The arson attack is the latest in a string of attacks on the former central banker, her family and the bank she nationalised, PrivatBank.

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Albanian ex-interior minister sentenced to five years in prison in drug trafficking case

Poland’s industrial production unexpectedly contracts in August

Iran’s Zarif issues “all-out war” warning

Albanian ex-interior minister sentenced to five years in prison in drug trafficking case

Saimir Tahiri was found not guilty of drug trafficking but sentenced for abuse of office, in verdict announced as Tirana seeks a date to open EU accession talks next month.

Poland’s industrial production unexpectedly contracts in August

Car manufacturing and output in the refining industry drove the contraction, which was not anticipated by analysts.

Iran’s Zarif issues “all-out war” warning

US Secretary of State Pompeo says of Iranians: “It’s not the case you can subcontract out devastation of 5% of world’s global energy supply and think you can absolve yourself from responsibility.”

News

Russian industrial robots market grows 42% in 2018 but remains negligible

Russian market for industrial robots in 2018 increased by 42% to 1,007 units, Vedomosti daily reported on September 19 citing the data of the International Federation of Robotechnics (IFR).

Russian government values oil reserves at $1 trillion

Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has estimated the total value of Russia's oil reserves at RUB74.5 trillion ($1.2 trillion), almost doubling the valuation over one year, RBC business portal reported. Total value of hydrocarbons,

Hiventures partners with Budapest bourse to support IPOs

State-owned venture capital fund Hiventures will pick companies it deems bourse-ready from its portfolio and ready them for inclusion on the stock exchange's Xtend market.

Quality of life in Czechia higher than in the US, Deloitte study says

The quality of life in Czechia has overtaken that in the US, according to a new survey from Deloitte in cooperation with NGO Social Progress Imperative. Czech ranks 24th, the US ranks 26th

Romania’s government gains 45-day grace period to secure new majority

Constitutional Court ruling gives PM Viorica Danicla time to put together a new majority after the ruling coalition split — but opposition leaders are still preparing for a no-confidence vote.

Russian industrial robots market grows 42% in 2018 but remains negligible

15 hours ago

Russian government values oil reserves at $1 trillion

16 hours ago

Hiventures partners with Budapest bourse to support IPOs

2 hours ago

Quality of life in Czechia higher than in the US, Deloitte study says

1 day ago

Romania’s government gains 45-day grace period to secure new majority

1 day ago

More News

Tech

Cybersecurity firm Acronis becomes Russia's second unicorn this year

Cybersecurity software company Acronis, founded by Sergei Belousov and Ilya Zubarev, sold just under 10% of its shares for $147mn in the first investment round organised by Goldman Sachs that implies a valuation of at least $1.47bn

Hungary in talks with half a dozen shared service centres

More than 110 companies operate service centres in the country, employing approximately 50,000 people, mainly young specialists who speak foreign languages.

Russian e-commerce continued fast growth in H1 2019, Wildberries stronger than ever

Russian e-commerce kept growing fast in the first half of this year, reaching 725bn rubles (slightly more than $11bn), up 26% from H1 2018. And market leader Wildberries is growing even faster than the rest of the sector

Russian digital major Yandex launches an investment portal with VTB Bank

Yandex has announced that it is getting into bed with the state’s second biggest bank VTB bank to create a fintech service to sell equities and funds to retail investors.

Romanian private equity fund Morphosis buys stake in IT startup DocProcess

Investment will allow family owned DocProcess to expand in Romania and in the wider European market.

Cybersecurity firm Acronis becomes Russia's second unicorn this year

1 day ago

Hungary in talks with half a dozen shared service centres

2 days ago

Russian e-commerce continued fast growth in H1 2019, Wildberries stronger than ever

2 days ago

Russian digital major Yandex launches an investment portal with VTB Bank

6 days ago

Romanian private equity fund Morphosis buys stake in IT startup DocProcess

8 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

Putting concerns about Georgian FDI in context

When a major infrastructure project ends, aggregate foreign investment can drop. That doesn’t mean the economy is heading south. Flows of foreign direct investment into Georgia have fallen 54% but that's ok

NEWSBASE: The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure are the oil industry's 9/11

The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure could turn out to be the oil industry’s 9/11. Reacting to the news, JP Morgan said: “Clearly oil assets have been massively mispriced. The assumption that production facilities are secure is wrong."

The Mitteleuropean view: Putin’s Belarusian ace stays in the hole?

Negotiations between Belarus and Russia on deeper economic integration are nearing completion, and the potential for surprises – such as a political or currency union – is expected to diminish.

Stagnation in Russia: how many opportunities are there for international (investment) banks in the rest of the CIS region?

Russia is not a growing market for international banking and capital market business at present. That's why people like to look for business and deal opportunities in smaller regional markets in the CIS region.

Who’s behind the proposed Turkish buyer of British Steel?

GPW Political Risk on how the move by a military pension fund unit to acquire the unloved, neglected UK company may have been motivated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s personal agenda—and he may require a political quid pro quo.

Putting concerns about Georgian FDI in context

2 hours ago

NEWSBASE: The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure are the oil industry's 9/11

3 days ago

The Mitteleuropean view: Putin’s Belarusian ace stays in the hole?

9 days ago

Stagnation in Russia: how many opportunities are there for international (investment) banks in the rest of the CIS region?

22 days ago

Who’s behind the proposed Turkish buyer of British Steel?

27 days ago

More Opinion

Data

Slovakia's GDP expected to slow to 2.4% in 2019

Slovakia's GDP growth is expected to slow to 2.4% year-on-year in 2019, according to the latest prognosis published by the Finance Ministry

Russia's industrial output up by 2.9% in August

Industrial output in Russia increased by 2.9% year-on-year in August 2019, inching up versus 2.8% y/y growth in July, and posting total 2.6% y/y growth in 8M19 overall.

Romania’s construction sector soars by 41% y/y in July

Civil engineering works returned to normal levels after two disappointing years, while work on residential projects doubled from the levels seen in the years after the recession.

Moldova’s GDP grows by 5.8% y/y in Q2

Expansion was driven by the construction sector that contributed 3.3pp to overall growth in the second quarter.

Slovakia ́s industry in July rebounds to 2.8% following a drop in June

Slovakia ́s industrial production accelerated by 2.8% year-on-year in July, recovering from June ́s drop by 1.9%, the Slovak Statistics Office reported on September 10.

Slovakia's GDP expected to slow to 2.4% in 2019

16 hours ago

Russia's industrial output up by 2.9% in August

2 days ago

Romania’s construction sector soars by 41% y/y in July

3 days ago

Moldova’s GDP grows by 5.8% y/y in Q2

3 days ago

Slovakia ́s industry in July rebounds to 2.8% following a drop in June

4 days ago

More Data

Features

CHALLENGING ERDOGAN: Another former ally walks out on Turkey’s strongman

Ex-PM Ahmet Davutoglu has followed former economic czar Ali Babacan in quitting the ruling AKP. Once known as the president’s right-hand man, he declared: “It has become a historic responsibility for us to build a new political movement.”

TURKEY INSIGHT: Rate-setters go for another dizzying descent

Cut of 325 bp taken as tolerable by the markets with pace of easing seen as likely to slow. Rallying lira confounds analysts. If a wheel is set to come off ‘Erdoganomics’, the signs have not been detected yet.

When Chinese deals turn sour

Tighter regulation and growing geopolitical tensions have caused a downturn in global Chinese outward FDI in the past two years. The Central and Eastern Europe region is no exception.

Russia's net public debt falls to zero

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a bee in his bonnet about debt. He paid off Russia's debts early and encouraged the government to build up its reserves. Now the state can cover all of its debts with cash.

Uzbekistan resurrects its heroes in a search for its identity

Academics say nation's young post-Soviet generations need to discover the past to find out who they really are as they build a modern country. Memories of figures such as Tamerlane and the Uzbek who gave the world the zero are being revived.

CHALLENGING ERDOGAN: Another former ally walks out on Turkey’s strongman

6 days ago

TURKEY INSIGHT: Rate-setters go for another dizzying descent

7 days ago

When Chinese deals turn sour

8 days ago

Russia's net public debt falls to zero

9 days ago

Uzbekistan resurrects its heroes in a search for its identity

20 days ago

More Features

Blogs

Tehran Blog: Who bombed Saudi Aramco’s sites?

The missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco facility in the east of the country on September 15 has become ensnared in a whodunit of confusion and speculation as accusations fly over who was really behind the rocket attack.

CONFERENCE CALL: YES in Ukraine fails to answer the key question

Investors and political celebrities made their way to Kyiv this week for the annual Yalta Economic Summit (YES) hosted by top Ukrainian oligarch Victor Pinchuk, but questions remain unanswered.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan goes for economic machismo and warns of “mischief makers” as rumours of a challenger are firmed up

Strongman may have to contend with new party formed by ex-economy czar Ali Babacan.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkish assets rally ahead of near bolted-on rate cut. Is Erdoganomics no joke after all?

Critics continue to pick apart the data underlying official GDP and inflation, but perhaps it’s time instead for them to prostrate themselves before a strongman’s brilliance they cannot understand.

Poland remembers World War Two: reconciliation and resentment

The war, which left Poland in ruins and with 6mn dead, continues to influence politics in the Twitter era — reinforcing reconciliation but also fuelling resentment.

Tehran Blog: Who bombed Saudi Aramco’s sites?

3 days ago

CONFERENCE CALL: YES in Ukraine fails to answer the key question

6 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan goes for economic machismo and warns of “mischief makers” as rumours of a challenger are firmed up

13 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkish assets rally ahead of near bolted-on rate cut. Is Erdoganomics no joke after all?

15 days ago

Poland remembers World War Two: reconciliation and resentment

18 days ago

More Blogs

Latest Updates

News

Russian market for industrial robots in 2018 increased by 42% to 1,007 units, Vedomosti daily reported on September 19 citing the data of the International Federation of Robotechnics (IFR).

Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has estimated the total value of Russia's oil reserves at RUB74.5 trillion ($1.2 trillion), almost doubling the valuation over one year, RBC business portal reported. Total value of hydrocarbons,

State-owned venture capital fund Hiventures will pick companies it deems bourse-ready from its portfolio and ready them for inclusion on the stock exchange's Xtend market.

The quality of life in Czechia has overtaken that in the US, according to a new survey from Deloitte in cooperation with NGO Social Progress Imperative. Czech ranks 24th, the US ranks 26th

Constitutional Court ruling gives PM Viorica Danicla time to put together a new majority after the ruling coalition split — but opposition leaders are still preparing for a no-confidence vote.

Tech

Cybersecurity software company Acronis, founded by Sergei Belousov and Ilya Zubarev, sold just under 10% of its shares for $147mn in the first investment round organised by Goldman Sachs that implies a valuation of at least $1.47bn

More than 110 companies operate service centres in the country, employing approximately 50,000 people, mainly young specialists who speak foreign languages.

Russian e-commerce kept growing fast in the first half of this year, reaching 725bn rubles (slightly more than $11bn), up 26% from H1 2018. And market leader Wildberries is growing even faster than the rest of the sector

Yandex has announced that it is getting into bed with the state’s second biggest bank VTB bank to create a fintech service to sell equities and funds to retail investors.

Investment will allow family owned DocProcess to expand in Romania and in the wider European market.

Opinion

When a major infrastructure project ends, aggregate foreign investment can drop. That doesn’t mean the economy is heading south. Flows of foreign direct investment into Georgia have fallen 54% but that's ok

The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure could turn out to be the oil industry’s 9/11. Reacting to the news, JP Morgan said: “Clearly oil assets have been massively mispriced. The assumption that production facilities are secure is wrong."

Negotiations between Belarus and Russia on deeper economic integration are nearing completion, and the potential for surprises – such as a political or currency union – is expected to diminish.

Russia is not a growing market for international banking and capital market business at present. That's why people like to look for business and deal opportunities in smaller regional markets in the CIS region.

GPW Political Risk on how the move by a military pension fund unit to acquire the unloved, neglected UK company may have been motivated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s personal agenda—and he may require a political quid pro quo.

Data

Slovakia's GDP growth is expected to slow to 2.4% year-on-year in 2019, according to the latest prognosis published by the Finance Ministry

Industrial output in Russia increased by 2.9% year-on-year in August 2019, inching up versus 2.8% y/y growth in July, and posting total 2.6% y/y growth in 8M19 overall.

Civil engineering works returned to normal levels after two disappointing years, while work on residential projects doubled from the levels seen in the years after the recession.

Expansion was driven by the construction sector that contributed 3.3pp to overall growth in the second quarter.

Slovakia ́s industrial production accelerated by 2.8% year-on-year in July, recovering from June ́s drop by 1.9%, the Slovak Statistics Office reported on September 10.

Features

Ex-PM Ahmet Davutoglu has followed former economic czar Ali Babacan in quitting the ruling AKP. Once known as the president’s right-hand man, he declared: “It has become a historic responsibility for us to build a new political movement.”

Cut of 325 bp taken as tolerable by the markets with pace of easing seen as likely to slow. Rallying lira confounds analysts. If a wheel is set to come off ‘Erdoganomics’, the signs have not been detected yet.

Tighter regulation and growing geopolitical tensions have caused a downturn in global Chinese outward FDI in the past two years. The Central and Eastern Europe region is no exception.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a bee in his bonnet about debt. He paid off Russia's debts early and encouraged the government to build up its reserves. Now the state can cover all of its debts with cash.

Academics say nation's young post-Soviet generations need to discover the past to find out who they really are as they build a modern country. Memories of figures such as Tamerlane and the Uzbek who gave the world the zero are being revived.

Blogs

The missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco facility in the east of the country on September 15 has become ensnared in a whodunit of confusion and speculation as accusations fly over who was really behind the rocket attack.

Investors and political celebrities made their way to Kyiv this week for the annual Yalta Economic Summit (YES) hosted by top Ukrainian oligarch Victor Pinchuk, but questions remain unanswered.

Strongman may have to contend with new party formed by ex-economy czar Ali Babacan.

Critics continue to pick apart the data underlying official GDP and inflation, but perhaps it’s time instead for them to prostrate themselves before a strongman’s brilliance they cannot understand.

The war, which left Poland in ruins and with 6mn dead, continues to influence politics in the Twitter era — reinforcing reconciliation but also fuelling resentment.

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Ukraine has a new president and parliament. A raft of reformist legislation has been passed in just the first two weeks and the he....

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