Albania
RBI's 2022 profits soar to €3.6bn, with Russian operations representing more than half
The Austrian lender, which has become more and more reliant on its Russian business over the years, is still rethinking its presence in the country.
Geopolitics overshadows Western Balkan nearshoring ambitions
Friendshoring has replaced nearshoring after the invasion of Ukraine, benefiting Western-aligned states but causing a shift away from Serbia.
Only Hungary and Russia heading for recession in 2023 as Emerging Europe shows its resilience
wiiw believes that most countries of the region have “probably already digested” most of the economic shock caused by the Ukraine war, provided Russia does not escalate the conflict further.
M&A in Emerging Europe fell by 20% to €32.93bn in 2022
The weak macroeconomic backdrop and the spectre of possible recession are likely to stifle M&A in the coming months, according to the annual CMS/Emis Emerging Europe M&A Report.
Italy pushes for investments into Western Balkan strategic sectors
Benefiting from its geographic proximity and historic ties, Italy is already one of the top investors and trading partners of the Western Balkan countries.
VISEGRAD BLOG: When Eastern European states speak out they are now listened to
The countries on Nato’s eastern flank believe they are now leading the debate on how to confront the Kremlin, as demonstrated by the row over supplying modern battle tanks to Ukraine.
Constitutional Court battle begins over Albania’s top archaeological site
The opposition Democratic Party filed a lawsuit against the law granting a concession for the National Park of Butrint.
Southeast Europe sovereigns start 2023 with return to capital markets
Sovereigns move quickly to tap international capital as they anticipate rising yields later in 2023.
EBRD invests record €13.1bn into its region in 2022
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development invested a record €13.1bn into its Emerging Europe and Eurasia region in 2022, the bank announced on January 12.
NEMETHY: Key economic and financial drivers to watch in 2023
There is an old joke that the role of economic forecasters is to make astrologers look good. Forecasting GDP or inflation for the upcoming year with any degree of accuracy is virtually impossible, but there are some scary signs appearing.
OUTLOOK 2023: Southeast Europe
The war in Ukraine had a seismic effect on the security, political and economic landscape of Southeast Europe.
January temperature records broken across Europe
Eight countries in Europe recorded all-time high temperature records for January on New Year’s Day this year. The following data draws from the visualization of meteorologist Scott Duncan and reports by the BBC, Statista reports.
Albania’s first satellites launched into space
Albania 1 and 2 satellites will detect crimes such as drug cultivation, illegal construction and logging.
THE MITTELEUROPEAN VIEW: Western banks go back to square one in CEE
Major Western banks had already adjusted their regional portfolio allocations back to Central Europe so the Ukraine war has not forced a complete reassessment of business strategies.
Start of a new super cycle – fat and flat for 2023?
The global economy has been through some enormous changes in recent years, leading investors and analysts to believe we are at the start of a new high-inflation, lower-growth super-cycle that could last for as long as a decade.
IMF: Global food prices to remain elevated amid war, costly energy, La Niña.
Interest rate hikes have eased price pressures, but the weather, war and material costs could keep food prices elevated for longer,
IMF: Riding the global debt rollercoaster
Global debt remained above pre-pandemic levels in 2021 even after posting its steepest decline in 70 years, underscoring the challenges for policymakers.
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.
EU leaders call for faster enlargement for Western Balkans to counter Russian influence
EU leaders sought to reassure the Western Balkans countries that their future is inside the bloc at Tirana summit.
EU to help Western Balkans curb illegal migration surge
Illegal movements along the Western Balkans routes have significantly increased in 2022.
