Bulgaria
CESEE banks expect credit conditions to tighten and NPLs to rise
With most COVID-19-related support measures having been phased out, borrowers are now being put under pressure by surging inflation and sharply rising interest rates.
Bulgarian police filmed shooting migrant in the chest ahead of Schengen decision
Video footage shows 19-year-old Syrian citizen Abdullah Mohammed was shot at close range at Bulgaria’s border with Turkey.
Bulgaria’s Borissov compares himself to Messi as he aims for comeback
Scandal-hit former prime minister Boyko Borrissov expects nomination to form government, and says there is “no one better” to lead the country.
Foreign investment has transformed Eastern Europe, says wiiw report
Foreign investment will continue to have a vital role to play in the region’s development, particularly now that international companies are rethinking their supply chains.
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bneGREEN: EU energy ministers agree to speed up permitting and deployment of renewables temporarily
A final decision – formal approval – on the new regulation may occur at another emergency meeting on December 13.
39.8% of Bulgarians have difficulty making ends meet, Eurostat survey shows
Bulgarians are more likely to be struggling with rising living costs than their peers in other EU countries.
Austrian chancellor confirms support for Croatia’s Schengen entry, but not Bulgaria’s or Romania’s
Austria and Sweden are expected to veto enlargement of the Schengen are to Romania and Bulgaria at the EU Council meeting in December.
bneGREEN: ING: Euro sustainable bond supply set to stagnate in 2023
Euro sustainable bond issuance in 2023 is not likely to repeat the growth rates seen in the last few years. While governments and agencies could slightly accelerate ESG issuance in 2023, financial institutions' ESG bond supply will lose some steam.
Schengen decision looms for Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia
As hopes of a positive decision on December 8 fade, the three Southeast European countries are making a final push to persuade Schengen members to admit them.
Bulgaria accepts Lukoil's controversial offer for tax cash in exchange for exports to EU
Caretaker government accepts offer despite warnings it could breach the EU sanctions regime.
Ukraine faces one of worst declines in GDP from a war, says EBRD
The contraction in Ukraine’s GDP will be among the worst 10-20% of those in conflicts in the last 200 years, the development bank predicts in its 2022/23 Transition Report.
EBRD warns of risk of 'zombification'
Development bank recommends countries should now gradually dial down help to vulnerable companies, so they can either learn to adapt to the new climate of higher interest rates or exit the market by going into insolvency.
Bulgarian PV equipment company AmonRa Energy to hold IPO
AmonRa wants to raise funds to finance its expansion in Romania and in other Southeast European countries.
Protesters slam change to Bulgaria’s election rules they say facilitates fraud
Thousands turn out in protest against return to paper ballots that is expected to make it easier to buy votes and rig elections.
Bulgaria’s reformist parties to boycott parliament over return to paper ballots
Parties say scrapping new electronic voting system would make it easier to buy votes and commit election fraud.
Private equity poised for growth surge in CEE despite macro and geopolitical crises
Fund managers surveyed by Bain & Company point to region’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and catch-up potential.
bneGREEN: REPowerEU rules still leave loopholes for gas investment
The European Parliament has approved temporary emergency regulations to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across the EU, but gas investment is still allowed
Bulgaria’s parliament approves long-delayed military aid to Ukraine
In rare moment of unity, most of the parties in Bulgaria's fragmented new parliament backed decision to provide military aid to Ukraine.
MPs warn political instability jeopardises Bulgaria's euro adoption timetable
Bulgarian parliament and central bank governor urge caretaker government to speed up talks on euro adoption to meet January 2024 target date.
Emerging Europe is growing faster than expected this year but will stagnate in 2023, says wiiw
For 2023 the wiiw has revised its forecasts down, and overall Emerging Europe growth will average just 0.3%, barely above the 0.2% predicted for the Eurozone.
