Bosnia & Herzegovina
Slovenia, Israel and Turkey benefit from Kosovo’s politically motivated import tariffs
100% import tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia have pushed consumer prices up in Kosovo, but politicians’ claims they would help local producers were never realised, think tank GAP finds.
Environment for SMEs improved in Western Balkans, Turkey but potential still unexploited
SMEs are under-represented in international trade and their contribution to value added remains low, the latest SME Policy Index finds.
COMMENT: Chinese engagement in CESEE: paper dragons and false inevitabilities?
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is no less than an attempt by the Chinese to reshape the international order, but it has acted as a strategic opportunist and has no clear development plan.
Arming and rearming: Military spending grows across CEE and SEE in 2018
Russia’s expenditure falls for a second year, even though Moscow fears are driving defence outlays elsewhere. Turkey committed a league-topping 24% more while Iran spent 9.5% less on its armed forces as US tightened economic noose.
China pledges to boost trade and infrastructure ties with CEE countries
At the latest 16+1 summit Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the importance of reciprocal opening-up of the market, and says China will make further efforts to facilitate trade.