Features
Unbundled: the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine
Ukraine's gas market reforms have been a huge success. By unbundling production and transport, the country has attracted hundreds of traders that compete on a vibrant market that has eliminated corrupt scams and brought prices down.
EXPLAINER: Just how bad are the sanctions on Russia’s ruble-denominated OFZ treasury bonds?
The White House has slapped new sanctions on Russia and targeted the Russian Ministry of Finance ruble-denominated OFZ treasury bills for the first time, the workhorse bond that is used to fund the budget. But what do the sanctions mean in practice?
Uzbekistan's stock market sees its first big "pump & dump" incident
The share price of Uzbek insurance company Universal Sugurta rose 200,000% in the first two months of this year, only to collapse again in March. It looks like a classic "pump and dump" play, but for the nascent market that's probably a good thing.
Allegro will have to move fast to stem the Amazon flood
US e-commerce giant's push into the booming Polish market will make it much more competitive overnight.
Kyrgyzstan president prescribes poison root for COVID-19
The health minister then drank the concoction at a press conference.
Geopolitics makes the Russian ruble rate highly volatile
The Russian ruble has been through some wild swings this year as it has almost completely decoupled from the price of oil and is almost entirely dependent on the ebbs and flows of geopolitical tension.
The new no 1 in Romania’s private medical sector
Regina Maria overtook rival MedLife to become the biggest player in the Romanian private medical services market. Private equity backer Mid Europa Partners plans to build it up further.
Bulgaria’s new sheriff in town
Slavi Trifonov is the favourite to become Bulgaria’s next prime minister while Boyko Borissov is consigned to the dustbin of history. But are the two politicians so different?
Next steps for Romania’s Fondul Proprietatea
It’s ten years since Fondul Proprietatea listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. bne IntelliNews looks at what’s next, including the upcoming IPO of its largest portfolio company, Hidroelectrica.
Nakhchivan rail plans promise to rewire Caucasus connections
Iran stands to be one of the winners of the new regional transportation map.
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Hungarian millionaire’s persecution shows reality of 'rule of law' in Viktor Orban’s Hungary
Fertiliser magnate suffers 17 inspections in two years after clashing with Fidesz oligarchs and ending football club donations.
COVID cabin fever creates a middle class Balkan jetset
With most of Europe under lockdown, holidaymakers from the Western Balkans are jetting off to exotic long haul destinations.
Russia gets ready for green power and problems from costing carbon
A string of massive environmental disasters in 2020 and the increasing awareness that Russia’s permafrost is melting have put the climate crisis on Russia’s table and the Kremlin is responding.
This former Russian deputy minister is now worth $10bn after NASDAQ IPO
A new Russian techbillionaire emerged last week on the NASDAQ with the SPAC-enabled IPO of Arrival, a company touted as a game-changer in the electric car industry.
IKEA’s New Europe Empire
Getting an IKEA store is a good guide to how developed a country is. And the Swedish furniture store has an uncanny knack for opening their yellow and blue stores exactly at the beginning of a country's rapid growth phase.
Air Bank poised to fly to top of Czech banking
Merger with Moneta Money Bank still going ahead, says CEO of digital bank, despite death of owner Petr Kellner.
China’s water use threatens Kazakhstan’s other big lake
Climate change, farming and a lack of cooperation risk another Aral Sea disaster.
Borissov fights to hold on to power in Bulgarian election
He’s been touring the country in an attempt to shore up fading ratings, but PM Boyko Borissov will struggle to put together a new coalition after Sunday’s general election.
Turkmenistan: Rotten tomatoes review
The president gets another title, ignores soaring food prices, starts a charity, and pens a ditty to his favourite city. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.
Russia's taste for Irish whiskey explodes
Russia is now Irish whiskey's second biggest market after the US as wealthier consumers shift away from vodka.
