The US trade deficit in goods trade with China narrowed to its lowest level since 2010 last year, as imports from China fell by more than $100bn compared to the previous year.
The world's two most populous nations, China and India, have the highest numbers of students studying overseas. But the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan is in the top five as the government attempts to bootstrap its transition.
Moldova’s nascent economic recovery began in the second half of 2023 and is expected to strengthen from 0.7% last year to 2.9% in 2024 and 3.7% in 2025 almost entirely on domestic demand.
Polish GDP expanded 1.3% year on year in the first quarter, (chart) easing slightly versus a gain of 1.6% y/y in the preceding three months, seasonally adjusted data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) showed in a flash estimate on May 15.
Country previously lacked internationally comparable estimates on indicator.
The current account (CA, chart) of Romania remained roughly unchanged in nominal terms (€3.95bn) in the first quarter of the year (Q1) compared to the same period in 2023, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR).
Slovenia’s economy grew by an annual 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 (chart), according to non-seasonally adjusted data released by the statistics office, SURS, on May 15.
The Russian federal budget posted revenue growth of 50% year on year to RUB11.7 trillion ($128bn) in 4M24, achieving revenue growth rate of 41% y/y in April 2024 alone, according to the preliminary data from the Finance Ministry.
BNR noted that the CORE inflation eased less than expected during the first quarter of the year.
Consumer price indices in Czechia increased by 2.9% year on year and by 0.7% month on month as food, alcohol and tobacco prices spiked.
Announcement comes after state in April dispensed with regulating coal prices.
Forecast lowered to 2.6% after underperformance in 2023 and less favourable external environment this year.
The influential sector of transportation equipment manufacturing decreased by 14.7% y/y.
Lower utilities prices were the main factor dragging down overall inflation.
Ankara’s move is, however, unlikely to have a major macroeconomic impact in either country, assessment concludes.
Czech industry decreased by 2.7% year on year and by 1.6% month on month in March, the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) reported. The drop comes after a slight 0.7% y/y increase in February, which ended a three-month skid in industrial output.
Firms generally upbeat on year ahead, but facing difficulties in retaining staff.
The high lek has made Albania's exports increasingly uncompetitive on European markets.
PMI index compiled by BCR Romania registered its first above-neutral score seen since data collection began last July.
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Russia Services PMI Business Activity Index just about broke even, posting 50.5 in April, down from 51.4 in March and only just above the 50 no-change benchmark. S&P Global reported on May 6.