North Macedonia

North Macedonia's central bank lowers key interest rate by 0.25 pp to 5.55%

bne IntelliNews December 18, 2024

Policy rate lowered despite slight rise in inflation, attributed to higher food prices.

FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 18, 2024

wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.

EU Council says enlargement is a "geo-strategic investment in peace"

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 17, 2024

The enlargement process has been revitalised since the start of the war in Ukraine, but EU ministers say candidate countries must step up reform efforts.

North Macedonia’s ex-deputy PM Grubi reportedly flees to Kosovo to avoid detention in corruption case

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 17, 2024

Artan Grubi was recently blacklisted by the US State Department for alleged involvement in significant corruption.

Bureks vs. Big Macs

bne IntelliNews December 15, 2024


International fast-food chains are expanding in the Western Balkans, but can they rival local offerings on taste or price?

North Macedonia secures second €500mn loan from Hungary to repay 2018 Eurobond

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 11, 2024

Loan is the second part of a broader €1bn agreement with Hungary, which has a close relationship with North Macedonia's new rightwing government.

North Macedonia’s FX reserves soar 24.1% y/y at end-November

bne IntelliNews December 10, 2024

Gross international reserves reached €4.920bn at the end of November after strong growth in recent months.

Political tensions rise in North Macedonia after unrest on Albanian Flag Day

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 3, 2024

Opposition DUI files no-confidence motions over “security lapses” during Flag Day celebrations and series of arson attacks.

North Macedonia gets new eco-bus fleet as fuel crisis causes transport chaos in capital

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje November 26, 2024

Most of Skopje's existing buses are out of operation due to a lack of fuel, leaving passengers stranded for hours.

EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 26, 2024

Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews

Fuel crisis causes chaos for Skopje public transport

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje November 21, 2024

Skopje residents have been stranded at bus stops for hours as temperatures plummet.

Watchdog warns Western Balkan banks are conduits for money laundering

bne IntelliNews November 19, 2024

Criminal networks are exploiting banks and other financial institutions across the Western Balkans to move illicit money across borders, says a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

So you want to get on the right side of Donald Trump? Try gift-wrapping a hotel

bne bureaus November 15, 2024

Though he’s busy preparing for his second stint in the White House, his brand is still doing business the world over.

North Macedonia’s central bank cuts GDP growth projections for 2024, 2025

bne IntelliNews November 10, 2024

Slower recovery than previously expected, but inflation on track to drop to 3.5% this year and continue downward trend into 2025.

Congratulatory words for Trump mask fears of destabilisation in Western Balkans

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 6, 2024

Political leaders take to X to congratulate Trump, while speculation mounts about whether his second presidency will enable destabilisation of the situations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

EBRD, EU to secure €400mn for Western Balkans’ green transition

bne IntelliNews October 31, 2024

Programme to provide €120mn of targeted SME financing in the Western Balkans region in its initial phase, scaling up to €400mn over the next few years.

EU enlargement progresses amid geopolitical tensions

bne IntelliNews October 31, 2024

Several aspiring EU members make significant progress in 2024, but more reforms needed, says European Commission’s latest enlargement package.

Bird flu outbreak forces closure of Skopje Zoo

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje October 20, 2024

Management threatens to sue Food and Veterinary Agency, claiming bird "massacre" was intended to damage zoo's reputation.

Western Balkan countries’ growth paths diverge

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow October 20, 2024

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia are pulling ahead, while Bosnia and North Macedonia are being held back by lower external demand and domestic fiscal pressures, says new World Bank report.

Central and Southeastern Europe defies German economic weakness

Robert Anderson in Prague October 17, 2024

The wiiw autumn forecast warns that not all of the recession in the German automotive industry has so far been felt in Central Europe and further difficulties should be expected.

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