Southeast Europe / Features
AI and cybersecurity to drive CEE tech sector
PwC and CEE Digital Coalition believe the Central and Eastern Europe region has the potential to create the EU’s Silicon Valley.
Fresh evidence suggests that the April 2022 Istanbul peace deal to end the war in Ukraine was stillborn
Fresh evidence indicates that the peace deal was probably too ambitious and, by failing to include the West in the talks, was stillborn.
Croatia faces showdown between president and PM in April 17 general election
President Milanovic and PM Plenkovic take each other on over Russia stance and corruption scandals
Leading emerging markets move rapidly up World Bank’s PPP GDP and FDI confidence rankings
The world’s leading Emerging Markets are moving rapidly up the World Bank’s latest GDP rankings in PPP (purchase power parity) terms as well as the annual foreign direct investment confidence ranking.
Southeast Europe urgently recruiting from developing Asia ahead of summer season
One of Europe’s poorest regions is tackling labour shortages by importing workers from as far away as Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
All eyes on Imamoglu’s bid to hold Istanbul in Turkey's local elections
Though the opposition coalition has dissolved in disarray, the CHP mayor will aim to keep the anti-regime flame burning.
Analysts assess “early confidence shock” delivered by Turkey’s surprise rate hike
Country’s new economic policies have so far not triggered sufficient foreign portfolio inflows “to create the virtuous cycle the reform team need”, says economist.
Kosovo yields over Decani monastery to pursue Council of Europe membership
Closely guarded Serbian Orthodox monastery deep inside Kosovo has long been a source of tension between Pristina and Belgrade.
Ukraine becomes world's 4th largest arms importer, European imports soar
European arms imports were up by 94% in 2019-23, as Ukraine's allies send military aid while also arming themselves, says new SIPRI report.
Closing gender gap in workforce could double global growth rate says World Bank
Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia have a lower gender gap than the global average but only Latvian women have equal legal standing with men.
Liberty Steel's financial crisis is just the latest blow for CEE's steel industry
The woes of Liberty Steel's mills also reflect the struggle of former Communist Central and Eastern Europe’s once mighty steel sector to remain competitive.
Western Balkans is ideal nearshoring destination, says EBRD regional director
"Island within the EU" is attracting growing flows of FDI, EBRD's Matteo Colangeli tells bne IntelliNews.
World Bank says Emerging Europe needs tougher targets to reach net zero by 2060
New World Bank report charts path to net zero energy in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, but says current ambitions are too modest.
LONG READ: Voters prepare to punish North Macedonia's ruling SDSM for broken promises
Shift back to nationalist VMRO-DPMNE over SDSM's controversial concessions to North Macedonia's neighbours and domestic policy failures.
One United sees strong growth potential in 'hidden gem' Romania’s property market
CEO Victor Capitanu tells bne IntelliNews pent-up demand in residential and office sectors will fuel growth in coming decades.
LONG READ: Will economic wrecker Erdogan let the technocrats fix Turkey?
Country badly needs to trigger major foreign capital inflows. For that to happen, global investors will need further convincing that the meddlesome president will largely stay out of policy making on the economy.
The Middle Corridor set to halve cargo transit time between Asia and Europe
As Russia experiences the impact of sanctions and restrictions in trade and economic relations with a number of countries, Central Asian countries and China are exploring new routes to increase their exports to Europe while bypassing Russia.
Euro becomes a political tool in Kosovo sparking international backlash
Kosovo is under mounting pressure to scrap a decision to make the euro the only legal currency for daily transactions.
wiiw projects brighter 2024 for Emerging Europe
Vienna-based think-tank expects growth to get back on track this year, but warns of risks from a Trump victory in the US and escalation of fighting in Ukraine or Gaza.
OUTLOOK 2024 Central Europe
2023 was a good year for centrist parties in elections in Central Europe and the Baltic states, particularly given the dire economic environment and worrying geopolitical picture.