Latest Updates

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Let’s tentatively pencil in a date for Turkey’s hot money outflow

As even Erdoganist business representatives start to grow agitated in the face of hiked interest rates, global finance makes it clear nobody believes the monetary tightening story will last.

Read Story

Estonian premier quits after Tallinn development scandal

Opposition Reform Party leader Kaja Kallas tasked with trying to form a new government.

Read Story

BALKAN BLOG: The controversial recipe for building up Albania

The debate over PPP projects launched after unsolicited bids from interested parties has erupted again.

Read Story

EU to begin certifying Russian Sputnik V vaccine for use in Europe

Russia will begin the process of certifying its Sputnik V vaccine for use in Europe on January 19, according to Kirill Dmitriev, director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) that funded the development of the medicine.

Read Story

OUTLOOK 2021 North Macedonia

A very challenging year lies ahead of North Macedonia following the Bulgarian veto on the launch of the country’s EU accession talks.

Read Story

OUTLOOK 2021 Czechia

Support for Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s ANO party has slipped and the opposition is uniting ahead of what looks to be close elections in October.

Read Story

Lukashenko: I am no enemy of the people

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has but one friend in the world and, in his own words, that person is Vladimir Putin, he told famous Russian reporter Nailya Asker-Zade.

Read Story

COMMENT: Record high debt levels will slow post-coronavirus recovery, threaten some countries' financial stability, says IIF

The global economy starts 2021 with record amounts of debt that will slow the recovery and could destabilise some countries, the Institute of International Finance warned.

Read Story

Handfuls of protesters fight on amid Kazakh parliamentary poll that’s little more than a ritual confirming regime’s power

No surprise as ruling party Nur Otan wins landslide. All parties on ballot paper were pro-government. Despite the modest resistance, security forces take no chances.

Read Story

Slovenia’s opposition files no-confidence motion against Jansa cabinet

Czech Pirates and Mayors approve final coalition agreement for 2021 elections

COVID-19 and Trump’s indifference helped human rights abusers in 2020

Slovenia’s opposition files no-confidence motion against Jansa cabinet

Opposition leaders accused the government of failing to deal with the coronavirus pandemic as well as the violation of fundamental principles of the constitutional order and freedom of the media.

Czech Pirates and Mayors approve final coalition agreement for 2021 elections

Opinion polls show grouping could win election and oust Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

COVID-19 and Trump’s indifference helped human rights abusers in 2020

2020 was a bad year for human rights around the world, but the US’ upcoming Biden presidency is an opportunity for change, says Human Rights Watch.

News

The volume of the Russian National Wealth Fund tops $183.93bn as gold overtakes dollar asset for first time

The volume of the Russian National Wealth Fund in December 2020 increased by RUB89bn ($1.21bn) to reach RUB13.546 trillion ($183.93bn) as of January 1 as the share of gold in reserves overtook dollar assets for the first time ever.

Slovenia’s government to release funds to news agency STA after EU pressure

Janez Jansa’s conservative government suspended funding for the news agency in December after accusing it of unfair reporting.

EBRD investments reach record €11bn in pandemic-struck 2020

The development bank's focus has been helping existing clients by providing short-term liquidity and working capital.

Ukrainian government will cap natural gas price for households in a move that endangers its IMF deal

Ukrainian government will cap natural gas price for households in a move that may further jeopardise the country’s co-operation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Moldova fears flooding from Ukraine's planned Dniester hydropower plants

President Maia Sandu plans to ask to EU opinion on Kyiv's plans as environmental groups say existing HPPs are responsible for flooding in Moldova.

The volume of the Russian National Wealth Fund tops $183.93bn as gold overtakes dollar asset for first time

2 days ago

Slovenia’s government to release funds to news agency STA after EU pressure

2 days ago

EBRD investments reach record €11bn in pandemic-struck 2020

3 days ago

Ukrainian government will cap natural gas price for households in a move that endangers its IMF deal

3 days ago

Moldova fears flooding from Ukraine's planned Dniester hydropower plants

3 days ago

More News

Tech

Durov rejects Western funds’ offer to buy 5%-10% of Telegram with $30bn valuation

Russia’s most famous tech entrepreneur and the creator of the Telegram messaging service has rejected an offer by Western funds to buy a 5%-10% stake in the company with a valuation of $30bn.

Sofia-based LAUNCHub Ventures holds first close of new fund on €44mn

LAUNCHub Ventures aims to raise €70mn for the fund targeted at companies from Central and Southeast Europe in a range of tech sectors.

New Ukrainian VC firm QPDigital aims to invest up to $100 million in digital startups

In late 2020 Quarter Partners, an established Ukrainian investment group, launched the venture firm ‘QPDigital‘ to invest up to $100mn in digital startups

UK Moneyhub picks Slovenia for post-Brexit European base

"The time is right to expand in Europe," said UK-based Moneyhub after opening a new office in Ljubljana.

Romanian chatbot builder Druid completes $2.5mn series A financing round

Druid, one of the best-capitalised startups in Romania, has a global partnership with Romanian-born robotic processing automation leader UiPath.

Durov rejects Western funds’ offer to buy 5%-10% of Telegram with $30bn valuation

2 days ago

Sofia-based LAUNCHub Ventures holds first close of new fund on €44mn

2 days ago

New Ukrainian VC firm QPDigital aims to invest up to $100 million in digital startups

3 days ago

UK Moneyhub picks Slovenia for post-Brexit European base

3 days ago

Romanian chatbot builder Druid completes $2.5mn series A financing round

4 days ago

More Tech

Opinion

ING THINK: Growth in the Balkans: from zero to hero again?

ING reviews the main macroeconomic forecasts for Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia. While the resurgence of coronavirus infections has dashed hopes for a rapid V-shaped recovery, 2021 should still be a good year.

FPRI BMB Ukraine: Most Ukrainians are optimistic about 2021 – poll

According to the Rating Group’s first public opinion poll of 2021, just over half of Ukrainians surveyed (52%) believe that the new year will be better than the one before.

COMMENT: The Manafort Pardon: a finger in the collective eyes of Ukrainians

Paul Manafort, one-time adviser to former President Viktor Yanukovych and soon-to-be former President Donald Trump, recently received a full presidential pardon. That means he is innocent in the eyes of the law. But not in the eyes of Ukrainians

STOLYPIN: Scope for limited progress under Biden, so long as the past remains the past

Joe Biden seems to be getting the band back together, drawing heavily on veterans of the Obama administration for his foreign policy team. In many ways that is a good thing after four years of erratic decision-making and malign neglect.

COMMENT: Uzbekistan is being transformed, but where are the democratic reforms?

In his two and half hour end of year address to the Uzbek parliament, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev used the word “reform” 34 times, but only mentioned democratic reforms three times. The need for political reform is the elephant in the room.

ING THINK: Growth in the Balkans: from zero to hero again?

2 days ago

FPRI BMB Ukraine: Most Ukrainians are optimistic about 2021 – poll

3 days ago

COMMENT: The Manafort Pardon: a finger in the collective eyes of Ukrainians

10 days ago

STOLYPIN: Scope for limited progress under Biden, so long as the past remains the past

10 days ago

COMMENT: Uzbekistan is being transformed, but where are the democratic reforms?

11 days ago

More Opinion

Data

North Macedonia's manufacturing confidence indicator down by 8.5 pp y/y in December

Confidence remains low compared to 2019, but current volume of production orders and expectations for coming months are more favourable than in November.

Romania’s industrial recovery paused in November

Romania's industrial production index edged down by 0.6% m/m in November after six months of recovery.

Labour demand down 28% y/y in Croatia in 2020

Strongest drop in demand was in the service sector, but partly offset by higher demand for occupations related to the pandemic and post-earthquake reconstruction.

Ukraine’s international reserves end 2020 at $18.1bn, up 20% y/y

The net international reserves of Ukraine as of January 1 amounted to $18.1bn, which is 19% more than at the beginning of December 2020 ($15.2bn), Head of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Bohdan Danylyshyn said.

Slovenia’s dire COVID-19 situation in 4Q20 caused second economic dip

Epidemiological situation was among the worst in the euro area in the fourth quarter and required a tightening of restrictive measures, which led to another severe drop in economic activity, the Bank of Slovenia said.

North Macedonia's manufacturing confidence indicator down by 8.5 pp y/y in December

2 days ago

Romania’s industrial recovery paused in November

3 days ago

Labour demand down 28% y/y in Croatia in 2020

3 days ago

Ukraine’s international reserves end 2020 at $18.1bn, up 20% y/y

4 days ago

Slovenia’s dire COVID-19 situation in 4Q20 caused second economic dip

4 days ago

More Data

Features

OUTLOOK 2021 Armenia

Small nation enters new year battered and bruised by the pandemic and defeat in the autumn war with Azerbaijan. A modest economic rebound is within reach should the peace hold.

One of Russia’s biggest wood product companies, Segezha could be Sistema’s next IPO

Segezha is Russia's biggest pulp and paper company. Owned by multi-industry conglomerate Sistema, the company could be the next up in the groups string of IPOs

Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus.

OUTLOOK 2021 Lithuania

Lithuania's economic contraction in 2020 was among the smallest in Europe, but its recovery will be slower than in the other Baltic states in 2021.

OUTLOOK 2021 Serbia

Serbia weathered the coronacrisis better than the rest of the Southeast Europe region, and no major political surprises are expected in the inter-election year of 2021.

OUTLOOK 2021 Armenia

1 day ago

One of Russia’s biggest wood product companies, Segezha could be Sistema’s next IPO

2 days ago

Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled

2 days ago

OUTLOOK 2021 Lithuania

23 days ago

OUTLOOK 2021 Serbia

1 month ago

More Features

Blogs

MOSCOW BLOG: The storming of the US Capitol was not a coup, but the shelling of the Russian White House was

The world was mesmerised by scenes of bizarrely clad Trump supporters breaking into and occupying the Capitol in Washington DC last week, which was widely described as an attempted coup d'état. But it was nothing like the coup in Russia in 1993.

BRICKS & MORTAR: Rosier future beckons for CEE retailers after year of change and disruption

A gloomy start to 2021, but labour markets and purchasing power in the CEE region are in much better shape than after the 2008 financial crisis, indicating retail will bounce back from the coronacrisis, says Colliers.

TEHRAN BLOG: Who’s more credible? Johnson backing Trump’s Nobel chances or Iran applauding arrest warrant for US president?

All of a sudden, following the mob storming of the Capitol, it appears that the Iranians had common sense on their side all along.

BALKAN BLOG: Women's political representation or real political power?

Central and Southeast Europe now accounts for a third of the tiny number of states worldwide that have gender-balanced cabinets — but higher female representation in politics doesn’t necessarily equate to women holding real power.

ISTANBUL BLOG: One last favour

Is Trump getting his Turkey sanctions cleared by Erdogan’s office?

MOSCOW BLOG: The storming of the US Capitol was not a coup, but the shelling of the Russian White House was

7 days ago

BRICKS & MORTAR: Rosier future beckons for CEE retailers after year of change and disruption

8 days ago

TEHRAN BLOG: Who’s more credible? Johnson backing Trump’s Nobel chances or Iran applauding arrest warrant for US president?

9 days ago

BALKAN BLOG: Women's political representation or real political power?

20 days ago

ISTANBUL BLOG: One last favour

1 month ago

More Blogs

Latest Updates

News

The volume of the Russian National Wealth Fund in December 2020 increased by RUB89bn ($1.21bn) to reach RUB13.546 trillion ($183.93bn) as of January 1 as the share of gold in reserves overtook dollar assets for the first time ever.

Janez Jansa’s conservative government suspended funding for the news agency in December after accusing it of unfair reporting.

The development bank's focus has been helping existing clients by providing short-term liquidity and working capital.

Ukrainian government will cap natural gas price for households in a move that may further jeopardise the country’s co-operation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

President Maia Sandu plans to ask to EU opinion on Kyiv's plans as environmental groups say existing HPPs are responsible for flooding in Moldova.

Tech

Russia’s most famous tech entrepreneur and the creator of the Telegram messaging service has rejected an offer by Western funds to buy a 5%-10% stake in the company with a valuation of $30bn.

LAUNCHub Ventures aims to raise €70mn for the fund targeted at companies from Central and Southeast Europe in a range of tech sectors.

In late 2020 Quarter Partners, an established Ukrainian investment group, launched the venture firm ‘QPDigital‘ to invest up to $100mn in digital startups

"The time is right to expand in Europe," said UK-based Moneyhub after opening a new office in Ljubljana.

Druid, one of the best-capitalised startups in Romania, has a global partnership with Romanian-born robotic processing automation leader UiPath.

Opinion

ING reviews the main macroeconomic forecasts for Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia. While the resurgence of coronavirus infections has dashed hopes for a rapid V-shaped recovery, 2021 should still be a good year.

According to the Rating Group’s first public opinion poll of 2021, just over half of Ukrainians surveyed (52%) believe that the new year will be better than the one before.

Paul Manafort, one-time adviser to former President Viktor Yanukovych and soon-to-be former President Donald Trump, recently received a full presidential pardon. That means he is innocent in the eyes of the law. But not in the eyes of Ukrainians

Joe Biden seems to be getting the band back together, drawing heavily on veterans of the Obama administration for his foreign policy team. In many ways that is a good thing after four years of erratic decision-making and malign neglect.

In his two and half hour end of year address to the Uzbek parliament, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev used the word “reform” 34 times, but only mentioned democratic reforms three times. The need for political reform is the elephant in the room.

Data

Confidence remains low compared to 2019, but current volume of production orders and expectations for coming months are more favourable than in November.

Romania's industrial production index edged down by 0.6% m/m in November after six months of recovery.

Strongest drop in demand was in the service sector, but partly offset by higher demand for occupations related to the pandemic and post-earthquake reconstruction.

The net international reserves of Ukraine as of January 1 amounted to $18.1bn, which is 19% more than at the beginning of December 2020 ($15.2bn), Head of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Bohdan Danylyshyn said.

Epidemiological situation was among the worst in the euro area in the fourth quarter and required a tightening of restrictive measures, which led to another severe drop in economic activity, the Bank of Slovenia said.

Features

Small nation enters new year battered and bruised by the pandemic and defeat in the autumn war with Azerbaijan. A modest economic rebound is within reach should the peace hold.

Segezha is Russia's biggest pulp and paper company. Owned by multi-industry conglomerate Sistema, the company could be the next up in the groups string of IPOs

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus.

Lithuania's economic contraction in 2020 was among the smallest in Europe, but its recovery will be slower than in the other Baltic states in 2021.

Serbia weathered the coronacrisis better than the rest of the Southeast Europe region, and no major political surprises are expected in the inter-election year of 2021.

Blogs

The world was mesmerised by scenes of bizarrely clad Trump supporters breaking into and occupying the Capitol in Washington DC last week, which was widely described as an attempted coup d'état. But it was nothing like the coup in Russia in 1993.

A gloomy start to 2021, but labour markets and purchasing power in the CEE region are in much better shape than after the 2008 financial crisis, indicating retail will bounce back from the coronacrisis, says Colliers.

All of a sudden, following the mob storming of the Capitol, it appears that the Iranians had common sense on their side all along.

Central and Southeast Europe now accounts for a third of the tiny number of states worldwide that have gender-balanced cabinets — but higher female representation in politics doesn’t necessarily equate to women holding real power.

Is Trump getting his Turkey sanctions cleared by Erdogan’s office?

Newsletters

Most Read

Podcasts

Ukraine has been on a rollercoaster ride this year. After the wild optimism following the election of Ukrainian president Volodymy....

Selected articles from our premium news/views wire IntelliNews Pro

Follow Us On

Reports

Cookies on the bne IntelliNews website