Features
OUTLOOK 2020 Moldova
Having defeated his rivals in a series of power struggles in 2019, Moldova's President Igor Dodon enters the new decade firmly in control.
Analysis: Theory Iran’s strikes on US Iraq bases were ‘for show’ firming up
Tehran informed Iraqi PM of attack while it was imminent or in progress. Troops got out of harm’s way. True revenge for Soleimani death might take form of “deniable attacks” say analysts.
OUTLOOK 2020 Montenegro
The adoption of Montenegro’s controversial church law made for a turbulent start to 2020, deepening the rift between the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists and the opposition ahead of this year’ general election.
OUTLOOK 2020 Slovakia
A growth deceleration is forecast in Slovakia, where the automotive industry and other sectors face weaker external demand that will negatively impact exports.
OUTLOOK 2020 Bulgaria
Bulgaria aims to adopt the euro and hopes to join the ERM2 in April. A failure to achieve this would be a blow for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s scandal-hit government as parties start to position themselves ahead of the 2021 election.
OUTLOOK 2020 Latvia
Prime Minister Krisjans Karins, who heads a fractious five-party coalition, has pledged to put cleaning up Latvia’s financial sector at the top of his priority list.
OUTLOOK 2020 North Macedonia
The EU’s failure to set a date for North Macedonia to start accession talks was a crushing blow that has precipitated snap elections. The result of the vote and the EU summit the following month will be critical to the country’s future.
OUTLOOK 2020 Tajikistan
Could 2020 see strongman leader of 28 years Emomali Rahmon succeeded by his son? With GDP slowing and a private sector providing few jobs, Central Asia’s poorest nation is going nowhere fast. Moreover, its Rogun dam geared bond looks shaky.
OUTLOOK 2020 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Hopes for reform progress and a new IMF deal in 2020 as Bosnia finally gets a new prime minister after over a year of political deadlock.
OUTLOOK 2020 Slovenia
A cooling of economic expansion is expected in 2020, as Slovenia can no longer rely on exports to fuel growth amid a slowdown in its main trading partners.
OUTLOOK 2020 Estonia
A slowdown is looming for Estonia’s small, open economy in 2020, a year during which Tallinn will also have to restore trust in a banking sector tarnished by allegations of massive money laundering.
Caucasus braces for conflict in neighbouring Iran
Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken relatively pro-Tehran lines in the new crisis, while Georgia is sticking close by Washington.
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OUTLOOK 2020 Uzbekistan
Shavkat Mirziyoyev has brought his country in from the cold. bne IntelliNews gives you chapter and verse as the president enters the fourth year of his economic transformation that has drawn international applause.
OUTLOOK 2020 Albania
Albania enters the new decade still reeling from the deadly earthquake that struck in November 2019. On the political front 2020 is also a year of uncertainty as Tirana waits for the EU’s decision on the start of accession negotiations.
OUTLOOK 2020 Hungary
Ruling Fidesz is under pressure both at home and abroad, but neither politics nor the worsening external environment have so far dented Hungary’s stellar economic growth.
Ukraine land market reforms watered down but on track to be introduced in 2020
Ukraine is grappling with creating a market for farmland that could boost economic growth by as much as 3% and increase the value of the economy by $85bn if introduced.
Russia’s flourishing agricultural sector on course for another good harvest
Thanks to heavy investment by the state, as part of its autarky food security policy, agriculture has been one of Russia's most dynamic growth sectors and a real policy success.
US killing of Iran’s top general risks all-out Middle East war
Tehran vows vengeance after Trump-authorised drone assassination of commander often seen as second most powerful figure in Islamic Republic.
OUTLOOK 2020 Mongolia
Elections likely to produce another paralysing parliament. Expect further problems from nationalist dislike of foreign miners. Look out for China slowdown impacts and climate change effects on cashmere farming.
OUTLOOK 2020 Kazakhstan
Country’s new leader Tokayev has introduced spending and reforms after a first year marred by unrest on the streets. Behind-the-scenes power dynamics remain in flux. Drive to expand non-oil growth continues.