Latest Updates

The European Medicines Agency starts rolling review of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine

The European Medicines Agency has started a rolling review of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said in a press release on March 4.

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Russian government may cut borrowing this year by RUB0.5-1 trillion over more US sanctions fears

The Russian government discussed a proposal to cut borrowing this year by RUB0.5-1 trillion due to fears of more US sanctions being imposed that could target sovereign debt, Bloomberg reported on March 3.

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BALKAN BLOG: Census sparks a political storm in North Macedonia

In such a deeply divided society as North Macedonia holding a census is not easy.

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COMMENT: Democracy is struggling in Georgia

The current political crisis reveals how detached Georgia's political elites have become from the demands of ordinary people.

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VISEGRAD BLOG: Repolonisation of the economy often ignores business logic

Law and Justice's attempt to build national champions in the banking and energy sectors will make the Polish economy even more state and party dominated.

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Sanctions risk on Russia is over-priced

Investors into Russian stocks, bonds and the ruble are holding their breath, waiting to see how bad the widely expected US sanctions on Russia will be. But the growing consensus is that the US sanctions will be light and merely symbolic.

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Belarus' Tikhanovskaya calls for mass protests to restart on March 25

After taking a break during the freezing winter months, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called for the mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenko to restart on March 25.

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Russia's paper and pulp company Segezha is tapping Russia's "green gold"

Trees are one of Russia’s biggest natural resources. Russia's forests stretch half way around the world and it is home to 70% of the planet's entire stock of soft wood – ideal for making paper.

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Coronacrisis boosts e-commerce in North Macedonia as shopping habits change

North Macedonia’s Grouper adapted swiftly to the pandemic, rolling out an online marketplace and food delivery platform, co-founder Nina Angelovska tells bne IntelliNews.

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EBRD to fight legal decision to impose external administration over Giurgiulesti port operator

Serbian health experts call for lockdown, politicians fear protests

Romania to ban Chinese companies from big infrastructure projects

EBRD to fight legal decision to impose external administration over Giurgiulesti port operator

Azeri businessman Rafiq Aliyev is trying to regain control of Moldova’s Giurgiulesti port operator Danube Logistics (MD) through the courts.

Serbian health experts call for lockdown, politicians fear protests

The Serbian government is facing a stark choice as health experts call for a new lockdown while opponents have threatened street protests if a curfew is imposed.

Romania to ban Chinese companies from big infrastructure projects

Bucharest has already scrapped a deal with China's CGN to expand its nuclear power plant and agreed with the US to exclude "unsafe" companies from 5G auctions.

News

Czech online retailer Rohlik attracts €190mn from investors

The online food retailer entered the Hungarian market in 2019, Austria in December, and plans to launch online sales in Germany in the next few months.

Slovak coalition partners demand government changes

Prime Minister Igor Matovic has come under fire for his erratic style of leadership, which has become particularly evident during the government's poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hungary’s Fidesz pulls out of EPP before it is expelled

Viktor Orban's withdrawal will leave him in no-man's land and significantly reduce his influence. It could also make it easier for the EU to punish Orban for dismantling Hungary's democracy.

North Macedonia issues 7-year €700mn Eurobond

North Macedonia follows Croatia and Serbia to the international markets, borrowing at a historically low interest rate.

US sanctions Russian officials over Navalny

Stock market unrattled by symbolic punishment but Kremlin is expected to respond anyway.

Czech online retailer Rohlik attracts €190mn from investors

1 day ago

Slovak coalition partners demand government changes

1 day ago

Hungary’s Fidesz pulls out of EPP before it is expelled

1 day ago

North Macedonia issues 7-year €700mn Eurobond

1 day ago

US sanctions Russian officials over Navalny

2 days ago

More News

Tech

Facebook agrees to pay 18% sales tax in Tajikistan

Tajik government has been trying for two years to boost state revenues by forcing tech firms like Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Booking.com to pay taxes inside Tajikistan.

UNDP in Kazakhstan joins global network of innovative accelerator labs

Accelerator Lab to focus on helping improve livelihoods through digitalisation, and supporting Kazakhstan's green transition.

Bosnian rock band Dubioza kolektiv and robot Robby Megabyte together in a new song

Sarajevo University students built the robot Robby Megabyte to perform with Bosnia’s most popular rock band, Dubioza kolektiv.

Kaspi.kz reports 33.6% jump in net income in 2020

Kaspi.kz has benefited from the coronavirus pandemic-driven shift to digital services by people who have been forced to largely stay indoors.

Prague-based ARX buys Slovenia’s I-Tech

Czech private equity investor to help I-Tech grow organically.

Facebook agrees to pay 18% sales tax in Tajikistan

1 day ago

UNDP in Kazakhstan joins global network of innovative accelerator labs

1 day ago

Bosnian rock band Dubioza kolektiv and robot Robby Megabyte together in a new song

2 days ago

Kaspi.kz reports 33.6% jump in net income in 2020

3 days ago

Prague-based ARX buys Slovenia’s I-Tech

3 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

ING: Turkey’s inflation remains on an upward path

Turkish inflation maintained its uptrend in February reflecting still strong cost-push factors, sticky services inflation and elevated inflation expectations.

FPRI BMB Ukraine: Kyiv aiming for a staff-level agreement with IMF by late May

After the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ended its review in February without allocating the next part of its $5bn loan to Ukraine, Kyiv is now expecting to receive a $700mn tranche by early June

ING: higher oil does not mean better outlook for Russia’s ruble

The $9/bbl upgrade in ING’s 2021 oil price forecast boosts Russia's annual exports by $25bn. But it will be sterilised by an additional $15bn of FX purchases and elevated capital outflows. ING maintains $/RUB forecast of RUB72-73 for 1H21.

OBITUARY: World’s longest-serving city mayor Milan Bandic dies of heart attack

Zagreb mayor’s death ahead of local elections this spring has political repercussions at local and national level.

ING: Bad signs in the Hungarian job market

It was just a matter of time before we saw a serious impact on the Hungarian labour market from the second wave of Covid-19. The January data suggests a slump in growth in the first quarter, despite the latest upside surprise in wages.

ING: Turkey’s inflation remains on an upward path

16 hours ago

FPRI BMB Ukraine: Kyiv aiming for a staff-level agreement with IMF by late May

1 day ago

ING: higher oil does not mean better outlook for Russia’s ruble

1 day ago

OBITUARY: World’s longest-serving city mayor Milan Bandic dies of heart attack

3 days ago

ING: Bad signs in the Hungarian job market

6 days ago

More Opinion

Data

NBU raises key policy rate 50bp to 6.5%

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reversed its easing policy and hiked rates for the first time since June 2020 by 50bp to 6.5% at its monetary policy meeting on March 4.

Russia’s services PMI positive at 52.2, but down slightly from January

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Russia Services Business Activity Index registered 52.2 in February, down slightly from 52.7 in January. The latest reading signalled a modest rate of expansion that was slower than the long-run series average.

North Macedonia’s GDP posts slim contraction of 0.7% y/y in 4Q20

Better performance in Q4 left North Macedonia with a 4.5% GDP contraction for 2020.

Hungarian Q4 growth in GDP revised up to 1.4%

Services dragged the economy down, contributing a 3.2pp decline in Q4.

Kazakh manufacturing PMI shows continued deterioration in operating conditions in February

Kazakhstan manufacturing PMI posted 48.5 in February, as the rate of decline eased thanks to an increase in new orders.

NBU raises key policy rate 50bp to 6.5%

16 hours ago

Russia’s services PMI positive at 52.2, but down slightly from January

1 day ago

North Macedonia’s GDP posts slim contraction of 0.7% y/y in 4Q20

2 days ago

Hungarian Q4 growth in GDP revised up to 1.4%

2 days ago

Kazakh manufacturing PMI shows continued deterioration in operating conditions in February

3 days ago

More Data

Features

Forbes launches eco-rating of Russian companies

This year, Forbes Russia compiled a list of Russia’s 30 most eco-friendly companies for the first time, reported New Economy Observer February 26.

Kyrgyzstan: Kumtor’s fate uncertain once more

The mine used to be President Japarov's cause célèbre, but these days he has to be more pragmatic.

Ukraine local bonds are back

Foreign investors piled into Ukrainian local debt when the market was hooked up to the international capital markets in April 2019. Then they fled in 2020. But with the recovery underway bond investors are back, approaching previous highs already.

Emerging Europe strong on women’s economic opportunities but dragged down by low pensions

Different retirement ages for men and women lead to lower pensions for women despite reforms in 2019-2020, says World Bank report.

Copper is the new gold

Copper prices have been soaring as the post-coronavirus recovery gets under way, pushing up commodity prices, but copper has been supercharged by the digitisation of the global economy and the rise of the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Forbes launches eco-rating of Russian companies

4 days ago

Kyrgyzstan: Kumtor’s fate uncertain once more

6 days ago

Ukraine local bonds are back

8 days ago

Emerging Europe strong on women’s economic opportunities but dragged down by low pensions

8 days ago

Copper is the new gold

9 days ago

More Features

Blogs

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Unwanted consequences as early access to pension funds for Kazakhs drives up home prices

Populist measure meant to make housing more affordable for the middle class—but the effect might be just the opposite.

ISTANBUL BLOG: A false spring for Turkish markets

Lira goes into reverse as global environment sours and unease grows over how Turkey’s newfound economic orthodoxy might not last.

BRICKS & MORTAR: Renovation of apartment buildings has biggest potential for energy saving in Western Balkans

The potential for energy savings in the buildings sector — characterised by ageing, poorly maintained apartment blocks — is estimated at more than 50% of consumption, Energy Community report shows.

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenia’s day of crisis delivers anticlimax

Rally of PM Pashinian, who took to the streets warning a military coup was under way, fails to reach critical mass. Opposition’s rival effort, meanwhile, was a flop.

Turkmenistan: Berdy, it’s cold outside

The president's sudden buck-passing to specialists is a little anxiety-inducing, since it may indicate something is wrong.

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Unwanted consequences as early access to pension funds for Kazakhs drives up home prices

4 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: A false spring for Turkish markets

4 days ago

BRICKS & MORTAR: Renovation of apartment buildings has biggest potential for energy saving in Western Balkans

4 days ago

CAUCASUS BLOG: Armenia’s day of crisis delivers anticlimax

7 days ago

Turkmenistan: Berdy, it’s cold outside

9 days ago

More Blogs

Latest Updates

News

The online food retailer entered the Hungarian market in 2019, Austria in December, and plans to launch online sales in Germany in the next few months.

Prime Minister Igor Matovic has come under fire for his erratic style of leadership, which has become particularly evident during the government's poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viktor Orban's withdrawal will leave him in no-man's land and significantly reduce his influence. It could also make it easier for the EU to punish Orban for dismantling Hungary's democracy.

North Macedonia follows Croatia and Serbia to the international markets, borrowing at a historically low interest rate.

Stock market unrattled by symbolic punishment but Kremlin is expected to respond anyway.

Tech

Tajik government has been trying for two years to boost state revenues by forcing tech firms like Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Booking.com to pay taxes inside Tajikistan.

Accelerator Lab to focus on helping improve livelihoods through digitalisation, and supporting Kazakhstan's green transition.

Sarajevo University students built the robot Robby Megabyte to perform with Bosnia’s most popular rock band, Dubioza kolektiv.

Kaspi.kz has benefited from the coronavirus pandemic-driven shift to digital services by people who have been forced to largely stay indoors.

Czech private equity investor to help I-Tech grow organically.

Opinion

Turkish inflation maintained its uptrend in February reflecting still strong cost-push factors, sticky services inflation and elevated inflation expectations.

After the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ended its review in February without allocating the next part of its $5bn loan to Ukraine, Kyiv is now expecting to receive a $700mn tranche by early June

The $9/bbl upgrade in ING’s 2021 oil price forecast boosts Russia's annual exports by $25bn. But it will be sterilised by an additional $15bn of FX purchases and elevated capital outflows. ING maintains $/RUB forecast of RUB72-73 for 1H21.

Zagreb mayor’s death ahead of local elections this spring has political repercussions at local and national level.

It was just a matter of time before we saw a serious impact on the Hungarian labour market from the second wave of Covid-19. The January data suggests a slump in growth in the first quarter, despite the latest upside surprise in wages.

Data

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reversed its easing policy and hiked rates for the first time since June 2020 by 50bp to 6.5% at its monetary policy meeting on March 4.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Russia Services Business Activity Index registered 52.2 in February, down slightly from 52.7 in January. The latest reading signalled a modest rate of expansion that was slower than the long-run series average.

Better performance in Q4 left North Macedonia with a 4.5% GDP contraction for 2020.

Services dragged the economy down, contributing a 3.2pp decline in Q4.

Kazakhstan manufacturing PMI posted 48.5 in February, as the rate of decline eased thanks to an increase in new orders.

Features

This year, Forbes Russia compiled a list of Russia’s 30 most eco-friendly companies for the first time, reported New Economy Observer February 26.

The mine used to be President Japarov's cause célèbre, but these days he has to be more pragmatic.

Foreign investors piled into Ukrainian local debt when the market was hooked up to the international capital markets in April 2019. Then they fled in 2020. But with the recovery underway bond investors are back, approaching previous highs already.

Different retirement ages for men and women lead to lower pensions for women despite reforms in 2019-2020, says World Bank report.

Copper prices have been soaring as the post-coronavirus recovery gets under way, pushing up commodity prices, but copper has been supercharged by the digitisation of the global economy and the rise of the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Blogs

Populist measure meant to make housing more affordable for the middle class—but the effect might be just the opposite.

Lira goes into reverse as global environment sours and unease grows over how Turkey’s newfound economic orthodoxy might not last.

The potential for energy savings in the buildings sector — characterised by ageing, poorly maintained apartment blocks — is estimated at more than 50% of consumption, Energy Community report shows.

Rally of PM Pashinian, who took to the streets warning a military coup was under way, fails to reach critical mass. Opposition’s rival effort, meanwhile, was a flop.

The president's sudden buck-passing to specialists is a little anxiety-inducing, since it may indicate something is wrong.

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