Kazakhstan
wiiw raises 2021 CEE growth forecast to 3.8%
But pandemic has delayed restart of convergence with Western Europe until 2023.
Kazakhtelecom to focus on content
State-run Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan's largest telco, plans to produce more of its own content, seeing it as a promising direction of development at a time when regular telecom services are no longer as profitable as they used to be.
CEE reels as third wave of COVID-19 breaks
A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Emerging Europe. While Russia is expecting to reach herd immunity in the next two months, most other countries of the region have only just started their mass immunisation programmes.
IKEA’s New Europe Empire
Getting an IKEA store is a good guide to how developed a country is. And the Swedish furniture store has an uncanny knack for opening their yellow and blue stores exactly at the beginning of a country's rapid growth phase.
China’s water use threatens Kazakhstan’s other big lake
Climate change, farming and a lack of cooperation risk another Aral Sea disaster.
Perspectives: Turkey and China – can Azerbaijan be the bridge?
Since shepherding Azerbaijan’s military victory last autumn, Turkey has been on a Silk Road charm offensive. The challenge is turning talk into action.
Scotland’s WGPSN to pay £6.46mn after self-reporting bribery in Kazakhstan
Subsidiary PSNA admitted making illicit gains from payments made to Unaoil to secure contracts in chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas industries.
Home Credit plunges to €584mn loss in 2020
Czech-owned consumer lending group adapts to COVID-19 by shifting to smaller loans and pushing digitilisation.
Rising inflation in Emerging Europe poses dilemma for central banks
With economies primed to rebound as pandemic restrictions are loosened, consumer prices could rise even further, reawakening an issue that has long been ignored.
ING: Red hot enthusiasm for copper
Copper prices are approaching their all-time high as investors flood into the market for the red/green metal.
ANALYSIS: Central Asia bond review
Despite the COVID crunch, Uzbekistan’s borrowing has blossomed. Tajikistan appears headed for trouble.
The female voice of change
Emerging Europe has a growing number of female politicians taking a stand against corruption and authoritarianism.
COMMENT: OPEC+ puts off production cut decision for a month
A decision over oil production levels and prices looks to have been delayed for a month following the OPEC+ meeting, between OPEC’s 13 members and 10 other non-OPEC countries, on March 4.
ING: Commodity supercycle calls grow
It has been an exceptional month for commodity markets, with growing inflation expectations increasing investor interest in the assets. Meanwhile, fundamental developments, particularly in the oil market, have only provided a further boost.
Kazakh government aims to attract €7.9bn of investments in agriculture sector
Kazakh authorities hope to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons exports and become a net food exporter with an eye on the Chinese market.
UNDP in Kazakhstan joins global network of innovative accelerator labs
Accelerator Lab to focus on helping improve livelihoods through digitalisation, and supporting Kazakhstan's green transition.
Kazakh manufacturing PMI shows continued deterioration in operating conditions in February
Kazakhstan manufacturing PMI posted 48.5 in February, as the rate of decline eased thanks to an increase in new orders.
Kaspi.kz reports 33.6% jump in net income in 2020
Kaspi.kz has benefited from the coronavirus pandemic-driven shift to digital services by people who have been forced to largely stay indoors.
Kazakhstan announces discovery of largest reservoir of hydrocarbons since independence
Exploration well in Mangystau region showed substantial gushes of oil.
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Unwanted consequences as early access to pension funds for Kazakhs drives up home prices
Populist measure meant to make housing more affordable for the middle class—but the effect might be just the opposite.
