Ben Aris in Istanbul
Mon, 21st Apr -- The mood in Istanbul is glum. Turkey's rapid growth has suddenly stalled as the country was struck by nasty macroeconomic problems and a political crisis just as the external shock from the US sub-prime mortgage hit.

Nicholas Watson in Warsaw
Mon, 21st Apr -- While the global credit crisis, controversy over colossal salaries and now a potential class-action lawsuit against Blackstone for failing to disclose information during its IPO has taken some of the shine off private equity in the West, in Central Europe the buyout business is in great shape.

Denis Lysenko of Vasil Kisil & Partners
Tue, 22nd Apr -- Business is flourishing in Ukraine but it's the only CIS state that doesn't have any special legislation on joint stock companies, leaving them to operate in a legal limbo.

Michael Carter of Visor Capital
Wed, 23rd Apr -- One might assume the investment climate in Kazakhstan had taken a severe negative turn. But we believe that, on the contrary, the investment climate is improving.

Olga Ulyanova, Elena Redko and Anton Gelin of Moody's
Mon, 21st Apr -- Uzbekistan's banking system continues to be challenged by an economic environment that remains one of the weakest in the CIS. However, in recent years, on the back of relative economic and political stability, the Uzbek economy has recorded notable growth, albeit from a low base.

Agshin Mirzazade and Oleksandr Shkurpat of Foyil Securities
Mon, 21st Apr -- Though rising inflation has hit the whole of Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine is suffering more than most. Analysts expect the rate to top 20% this year, but if the National Bank of Ukraine summons up the courage and acts decisively, the spike in prices can be brought quickly under control.

Pertti Rahnel of Hansa Investment Funds
Mon, 21st Apr -- As global risk aversion has started to show the first signs of relenting, there is hope the light at the end of tunnel isn't that the one of an oncoming train.

Vitaliy Vavryshchuk of Dragon Capital
Mon, 21st Apr -- The current account deficit this year will continue to be driven by buoyant investment demand and growing household consumption on the back of income expansion fuelled by the government's generous welfare policies.

Henning Esskuchen of Erste Bank
Mon, 21st Apr -- Henning Esskuchen, co-head of CEE equity research at Erste Bank, looks at which markets are offering the best investment opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe over the coming months.