Slovakia
NEMETHY: The Fed will prioritise financial stability over the fight against inflation
For the past six months, the US Fed has been fighting inflation by jacking up interest rates and tightening money supply to fight inflation. This author, and others, predicted that “something will break”. Something did break: SVB
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All to play for in Russian-Chinese backyard
Russia and China will struggle for common policy on possible Russian soft underbelly Central Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, the vital Europe/Asia Caucasus crossroads, the Baltics, CEE and SEE.
Poland to start handing over MiG-29 jets to Ukraine within days
The decision, together with a similar move made by Slovakia on March 17, marks a stepping up of military aid to Ukraine with a new grade of weaponry, the offering of which has so far remained controversial.
Volkswagen reported to be shelving plans for Central European gigafactory
Czech authorities and VW's Skoda Auto insist the carmaker’s plans for a massive electric battery plant in Central Europe are merely postponed, and that VW is awaiting a EU decision on a new EU incentive framework.
Gender gap persists in Emerging Europe’s industries of the future
Women are underrepresented in the growing ICT and green energy sectors.
Slovak premier founds new political party to fight snap elections
Move will worsen the divisions on the centre-right of the Slovak political spectrum, where five significant parties are now competing for support.
Ukrainian refugees and Russian migrants bring economic benefits but also stresses to Emerging Europe
Looking forward to the end of the war, whenever it happens, policymakers are already speculating on how many of the refugees and migrants are likely to stay and how many will return.
Stable outlooks at lowest level for two decades in Emerging Europe, says Fitch Ratings
One year since the Ukraine conflict began, the share of stable sovereign outlooks in Emerging Europe is at its lowest since late 2003.
Slovakia's Smer back on top of opinion polls ahead of snap election
Former premier Robert Fico back in front for first time since he resigned amid mass protests following the killing of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak.
Urals oil price is increasingly meaningless, allowing Russian-owned refineries in Europe to build up slush funds
After the twin price cap sanctions were imposed on Russian oil exports, Ukraine’s supporters cheered as the price of the key Urals blend collapsed. The trouble is, Russian refineries in Europe make the price of Urals increasingly irrelevant.
How big is Russia's "ghost fleet" of oil tankers?
How many ships are in Russia’s “ghost fleet” of tankers? No one has a clear idea: estimates run from 100 to 600 tankers depending on what you include in the fleet.
bneGREEN: Wind, solar slash gas costs in EU by $12.7bn since Russia invaded Ukraine
The growth of wind and solar power has helped to cut natural gas costs by €12bn ($12.7bn) in the EU since Russia invaded Ukraine just over a year ago.
Germany to crack down on sanctions dodgers as non-EU trade turnovers with Russia soar
Germany's Deputy Chancellor, Robert Habeck, announced that Berlin will crack down on EU companies that dodge Western sanctions on Russia, as governments become increasingly alarmed at the scale of the sanctions leakage, the Financial Times reported.
ING: Green sovereign bond sales stabilise and so does the greenium.
The euro sovereign and supranational, sub-sovereign and agency (SSA) green bond market is maturing after a turbulent 2022. Supply levels have stabilised and there are signs that it is finally matching demand.
European gas prices slump to 18-month low
The front-month contract at Europe’s premier TTF gas hub dipped below €50 per MWh ($567 per 1,000 cubic metres) on February 21 for the first time this year, amid easing fears of shortages, warm weather, ample LNG and lower industrial demand.
Gas prices fall further on record 64% full European gas tanks
Gas reserves in Europe's underground storage facilities (UGS) have dropped to 69bn cubic metres and are 63.7% full as of February 22, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) reports.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has distorted global trade routes
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions have distorted trade routes across the Eurasian continent.
More gloom ahead as EBRD cuts 2023 growth forecasts
The EBRD lowered its forecasts for more than half its 36 countries of operation, anticipating average growth of just 2.1% this year.
COMMENT: Recessions confirmed in Hungary and Czechia
Central and Eastern Europe has experienced a sharp downturn in GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022 figures, but while the worst of the economic decline has passed, the region is likely to stagnate this year.
COMMENT: Union recognition can be a tough battle in EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe
Multinationals typically try to find loopholes in employee rights for their operations in Eastern Europe, preventing wages converging with Western European levels.
