Istanbul-listed Koc makes Top 20 for first time in Global 500 Family Business ranking

Claims 19th position with $68bn in revenues.

Russia’s CBR keeps key interest rate at 21%

The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 21% at the policy meeting of April 25, according to the press-release of the regulator.

World Bank cuts Romania's growth forecast to lowest in the region for 2025 and 2026

The World Bank has sharply revised downward its economic growth projections for Romania, now expecting GDP to grow by just 1.3% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026.

Slovak unemployment drops to 3.72% in March

Slovak unemployment slightly dropped to 3.72% in March, down by 0.07 percentage point from February and by 0.16 pp from March 2024, while the number of unemployed persons was the lowest on record since 1993.

IMF: Global growth is expected to decline and downside risks to intensify as major policy shifts unfold – WEO

After enduring a prolonged and unprecedented series of shocks, the global economy appeared to have stabilized, with steady yet underwhelming growth rates, the International Monetary Fund said in its latest World Economic Outlook.

Romania's public deficit reaches new record in 2024

Romania posted the widest general government budget deficit among EU member states at 9.3% of GDP, nearly three times the EU average.

Polish industrial production disappoints with expansion of just 2.5% y/y in March

Slovak GDP improves to 2.1% in 2024 after revision

Slovakia’s gross domestic product performance improved to 2.1% growth in 2024, following the spring revision of GDP growth in the years 2021-2024 released by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.

Tourism record set as almost one million hot air balloon passengers take to sky in Turkey during 2024

Flights held in seven regions.

Poland’s core inflation rate holds steady at 3.6% y/y in March

Poland’s core inflation, an indicator that measures price growth excluding movement in prices of food and energy, came in at 3.6% y/y in March (chart) after posting the same reading in February, the National Bank of Poland said on April 16.

Russian ruble value surges to become world's best performing currency YTD

The Russian ruble strengthened to RUB82.3 to the dollar on April 16, making it the best performing currency in the world YTD and outperforming other assets like gold as well.

IMF: Migration and refugee policies steer people, and economies, in new directions

When destination countries tighten migration and refugee policies, it has economic ripple effects elsewhere, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a blog. Migration has always been an integral part of humanity’s history and success.

Polish inflation rate confirmed at 4.9% y/y in March

Although inflation remains above the National Bank of Poland’s target range of 1.5%-3.5%, the continued stability in price growth so far in 2025 has shifted the central bank’s monetary policy outlook.

Abdi Ipekci remains most expensive shopping avenue in Istanbul

Monthly prime rent on luxury retail street $250 per square metre.

Russia’s inflation still above 10% in March

Russia's consumer prices rose by 0.65% month on month and 10.3% year on year in March, according to the latest RosStat statistics agency data. (chart)

Fertility rate crashes to critical levels in Turkey

President Erdogan has warned problem could reach “irreparable proportions”.

Foreign investors still selling Turkish papers

FX firepower Erdogan regime has at its disposal declines further, but is still a substantial distance from hitting previous lows.

Romania’s public debt takes a break and stays flat in January at 54.8% of GDP

Romania’s rapidly rising public debt (chart) remained steady through January, ending the month at RON964.4bn (€193.8bn), or 46.8% of GDP, according to data published by the Finance Ministry.

Romania’s trade deficit expands 32% in February as exports falter and imports surge

Romania’s foreign trade (chart) deficit widened by 32% year on year in February 2025, reaching €2.74bn, as export volumes declined and imports continued to rise, according to figures published by the National Institute of Statistics.

Bank of Korea expected to lower rates in April despite currency slide

South Korea's central bank is leaning towards reducing interest rates this April, even as the national currency hits its weakest point since 2009.