Albania
Balkan Business Sentiment Index reached historic high in 2019
Progress towards EU accession lifted sentiment, but businesspeople still see corruption as one of their biggest problems.
Western Balkan coal power plants still greatly exceed pollution limits
Levels of sulphur dioxide emitted by power plants in the EU-aspiring region exceed pollution limits by almost six times, finds a new report from Bankwatch.
Tourists trickle back to the Adriatic
Hundreds of thousands of people are now on the move in Central and Southeast Europe as travel restrictions imposed to contain the novel coronavirus are eased.
Albania's industrial output down 11.2% y/y in 1Q20
Industrial production declined as the country felt the first consequences of the coronavirus crisis which emerged in March.
Albania's retail sales growth turns negative y/y in 1Q20, due to decline of motor fuel sales
Strict lockdown imposed in mid-March saw a shutdown of public transport and movement restrictions, including on using cars.
Albania’s online trade in bears and wolves "out of control" despite zoonosis risk
COVID-19 pandemic revealed the risks of catching wild animals for food, but trade continues openly in popular online marketplaces, research by NGO Four Paws shows.
Spikes in new COVID-19 cases reported in several European emerging market countries
As governments continue to lift lockdowns and travel restrictions across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe, several countries in the region have reported record-high numbers of new infections in the last few days.
Albania issues €650mn Eurobond with 3.65% coupon
PM Edi Rama hails "spectacular result” on the international market, as Albania raises funds to refinance previous debts and cover government spending.
No room for complacency amid new corona outbreaks in emerging Europe
Surge in new COVID-19 cases in Caucasus, Moldova and Poland, while fresh outbreaks in Balkans show virus not yet under control.
Investors hot for corona Eurobond issues from Southeast Europe
Governments across the region have turned to the international capital markets to raise money to meet the gap between increased costs and lower revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.