Data
Economic sentiment improves across Central and Eastern Europe despite new US tariffs
Economic sentiment in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) rose in August, indicating a potential acceleration in regional GDP growth to around 2.5% y/y, according to a note published by Nicholas Farr, emerging Europe economist at Capital Economics.
Albania’s Q2 power imports jump 16.5% as hydro output declines
Hydropower typically supplies nearly all of Albania’s electricity, leaving the Balkan country highly exposed to rainfall fluctuations.
EU commits to huge increase in energy imports from US - Statista
One of the key components of the trade deal that the European Union and the US agreed upon on July 27 is the EU’s commitment to massively ramp up energy imports from the United States, Statista reports.
Inflation slowing in the majority of Russia's regions
Annual inflation slowed in most Russian regions (74) in July despite the indexation of utility rates, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reported on August 22.
Domestic FX loans extended by Turkish banks breaking records
Government's return to orthodox economic policies caused lira interest rates to surge. Companies turned to FX loans. Caps were introduced but lending still boomed.
Some positive movement on Borsa Istanbul, but tread with care
Stay wary of "moustaches" setting bull traps.
Georgian exports hit record $3.8bn in January-July 2025
Exports in January-July 2025 totalled $3.8bn, but Georgia's trade deficit remained high at $6.5bn or 46% of foreign trade turnover.
Argentina and Peru lead Latin America’s growth in 2025
Latin America’s economy is forecast to grow by 2.2% in 2025, a modest improvement from earlier projections of 2.1%, according to Moody’s Analytics.
Russian bank deposits fall further as August withdrawals accelerate
Russian bank customers have continued to pull funds from their accounts, with another RUB17.7bn ($193mn) withdrawn as of August 15, according to new figures released by the Russian Central Bank.
Moldova’s trade deficit widens 37% y/y in Q2 as imports surge and exports fall
Widening trade gap weighs on Moldova’s balance of payments and adds pressure to the current account deficit.
Vietnam emerges as Southeast Asia’s FDI leader
Vietnam is rapidly establishing itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment, supported by its favourable demographics, trade agreements, and investor-friendly reforms.
Kosovo’s central bank projects solid GDP growth of 4.1% in 2025 despite external risks
The projections follow a period of robust growth, driven by household consumption, investment and exports.
Russia scraps mandatory foreign currency sales for exporters as rouble strengthens
The Russian government has reduced to zero the requirement for mandatory repatriation and sale of foreign currency earnings by exporters, thanks to a stronger ruble and stable foreign exchange conditions, Vedomosti reported on August 14.
India receives first S&P sovereign rating upgrade in 18 years
The last upgrade by the US-based agency came in January 2007. This latest revision reflects India’s position as one of the world’s best-performing economies, with real GDP growth between fiscal years 2022 and 2024 averaging 8.8%.
Kazakhstan pulls ahead of Russia for GDP per capita
Development a serious blow to Russian prestige.
Turkey raises end-2025 official inflation forecast range to 25-29%
Seeking to show everything’s on track, economic team have tossed in a new term, “interim targets”
Saudi Arabia records lowest inflation in five months at 2.1% in July
Saudi Arabia reports lowest inflation in five months at 2.1% in July as housing rent increases moderately following the Crown Prince's real estate balance measures.
Annual inflation in Russia slowed to 8.79% in July
Annual inflation in Russia eased to 8.79% in July from 9.4% in June, despite a month-on-month acceleration in consumer price growth, according to Rosstat, Vedomosti reported on August 13.
Russia’s economy narrowly avoids technical recession as war strains mount
The slowdown in GDP growth in Russia to 1.1% year on year in the second quarter suggests the economy may have narrowly avoided a technical recession, but “the economy is clearly struggling amidst imbalances that have built up due to the war."
Poland weathers tariff pressures to remain an EU growth leader
Poland’s economy continued to outperform in the second quarter despite mounting global trade tensions, according to Nicholas Farr, Emerging Europe Economist at Capital Economics.