Croatia
Looming new coronavirus wave prompts vaccination push in Southeast Europe
With the delta variant starting to spread in Southeast Europe, officials are warning of a new wave of the pandemic that may put pressure on hospitals as early as August or September.
Natural disasters caused €80mn of damage to Croatian agriculture in 2021
Frost, flooding and pests all damaged crops in Croatia this year, raising fears of price increases.
BRICKS & MORTAR: Residential real estate markets bounce back in Southeast Europe
Strong recovery after spring 2020 lockdowns partly driven by demand for houses and rural properties, but prices remain among the lowest in Europe.
European Commission slams Bulgaria on rule of law, Slovenia on media freedom
Highly critical European Commission report issued as Sofia tries to sack chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev, who has thwarted efforts by the caretaker government to investigate top-level corruption. Shortcomings reported in other SEE EU members.
CEE dealmaking back at pre-COVID levels in H1, says Mergermarket
The first half was particularly strong in the mid-market and smaller-ticket segment.
EU to grant Croatia's Rimac Automobili €200mn to develop driverless taxi
Electric supercar producer to receive funding under €6.3bn Recovery and Resilience Plan for Croatia.
wiiw raises its GDP forecast for 20 out of 23 countries in CEE
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies has raised its GDP growth forecasts for 20 out of 23 countries in Central and Eastern Europe as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic starts to recede.
Croatia’s retail trade up 16.5% y/y, 6.4% m/m in May
Retail trade turnover up by 16.5% y/y and 6.4% m/m in May as recovery continues.
Four Southeast European countries commit to exiting coal energy
The step is most significant for Montenegro and North Macedonia, which generate around half of their electricity from coal.
CEE regional sentiment up again in June but analysts warn of price pressures
Capital Economics analysts point to evidence of growing price pressures in eastern EU members.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Scaling back the state
The coronacrisis saw the role of the state increase, but post-crisis efforts towards privatisation and a stepping back of the state from the economy are expected.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: ‘Yugo-nostalgia’ fading but not gone
Since Yugoslavia started to disintegrate, a whole generation has grown up but there are still some in the region who look back nostalgically.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Big tech from a small country
Croatia, with a population of just over 4mn, has seen the emergence of a slew of high-tech champions in the fields of IT software, hardware and electromobility.
Southeast Europeans most likely in EU to believe corruption is getting worse
Transparency International survey shows citizens of Slovenia and Bulgaria were most likely to think their government was run by a few big interests looking out for themselves.
International banking groups look to expand in Central and Southeast Europe despite pandemic
International banking groups remain committed to the region, with their strategies tilted towards expansion or stability despite the coronavirus pandemic, EIB survey shows.
COMMENT: Time to end Putin's impunity
The price faced by Russia for aggression must be too high for the Kremlin to countenance, and this is the message that Biden should deliver to Putin – and act upon.
COMMENT: CEE national recovery and resilience plans – the focus, the gaps and what comes next
Most CEE governments submitted their national plans after the deadline and two (Bulgaria and Estonia) are yet to finalise them.
bneGREEN: European Commission provides €1bn funding boost for 72 Green Deal research projects
The European Commission has selected 72 research and innovation projects that will receive €1bn in funding to support the aims of the Green Deal.
Bulgaria has worst air pollution in the EU, Eurostat says
Bulgaria has been struggling for years with air pollution in urban areas, particularly in winter.
Coronavirus restrictions eased across much of Southeast Europe as new cases dwindle
Easing announced as the number of new cases has fallen sharply, boding well for a revival of economic growth after the spring lockdowns.
