Czech Republic
Is Armenia facing a colour revolution? Popular protests on the rise in Emerging Europe
Whether or not the detention of opposition leader Nikol Pashinian proves enough to lop the head off the Armenian demonstrations, analysts will note yet another example of how ready people are across Emerging Europe to take to the streets.
CEE Equity Partners announces closing of second fund after $800mn pours in
Second China-CEE Investment Cooperation fund expected to grow to $1bn later this year after first closing on $800mn, and will expand investment focus to encompass healthcare, tourism, education and agriculture.
Cash-rich Penta to expand leading Czech pharma chain Dr.Max to China
Penta looks to long-term success in the world's second largest pharma market after making a record €245mn consolidated net profit in 2017.
Advent in direct talks to buy Sanofi's generics arm Zentiva
Private equity investor Advent International aims to turn Prague-based Zentiva into an independent European leader in generic drugs.
Czech media oligarchs add radio stations to their media empire
Czech Media Investment group, controlled by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, will pay €73mn for Lagardere group radio stations operating in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
Visegrad car associations ask EU to decrease emission limits
Automakers argue strict limitation of emissions levels could cause a significant drop in production of cars in the V4 where the economies of Czechia and Slovakia in particular depend heavily on the car industry.
CONFERENCE CALL: Moody’s Central Europe summit highlights Czech economy's strengths
Mood in Prague was bullish but longer-term risk factors – from CEE labour shortages to Brexit to robotisation – spurred calls for prudence.
Avast to enter London bourse in bid to raise up to $1bn
Czech-based antivirus software company plans second attempt at IPO after pulling planned Nasdaq listing in 2012, but analysts warn over Brexit uncertainty.
Leaked document shows EU’s initially hardline approach to Gazprom
European Commission had planned to adopt a tough stance on Gazprom's allegedly “abusive practices” in selling gas to CEE, but current approach could let Russian energy major off the hook without serious consequences.
Czech president advises Babis to negotiate with neo-fascists
Caretaker PM Andrej Babis' options are limited after the collapse of coalition talks with the Social Democrats, but a proposed deal with the neo-fascist SPD and the Communists could trigger a split within the populist Ano party.
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Czech banks' mortgage policies endanger the economy, Moody's warns
Risky credits could result in huge losses for commercial banks should Czechia experience an economic downturn, according to the rating agency.
Prospect of a new Czech government recedes as Ano-CSSD talks collapse
Early elections are again an option after the fraud investigation into caretaker PM Andrej Babis proved the sticking point for the Social Democrats.
Global trade war to hammer Eastern EU members
The small, open economies in the eastern part of the European Union will suffer disproportionately if the global trade war currently brewing extends to Europe, analysts have warned.
Anger in Moscow and Prague Castle as Czech minister extradites hacker suspect to US
Kremlin-friendly President Zeman fought hard to send Yevgeny Nikulin to Russia but those pushing the pro-Western orientation of Czechia appear to have won out in the case.
Czech banks report record profits for 2017
Net profits reached CZK75.9bn despite competition from new, low-cost banks that pushed down fee income.
Slovakia catching up with the EU economy faster than Czechia
Slovakia is closing the economic gap with the EU faster than Czechia, but still lags behind the Czech economy level in overall terms, says a new CSOB study marking the 25-year anniversary of the breakup of Czechoslovakia.
COMMENT: Guest-workers won’t solve CEE labour shortage woes
Central Europe is facing a growing labour shortage crisis that could limit growth if solutions are not found. Ukraine has already been a big winner but cannot solve the problem by itsself.
Uber to suspend activities in Slovakia after court ruling
Uber has experienced extremes in reaction to its controversial ride-hailing service in Central and Eastern Europe.
Nato joins wave of Russian diplomat expulsions after Skripal poisoning
Several European states followed suit but others are still considering whether to take action over the poisoning of an ex-spy on British soil, which has already triggered over 100 expulsions by western countries.
Online growth companies make “New European Tigers” roar
Eastern EU member states are catching up with their Western counterparts in terms of education, internet access and investment in infrastructure, boosting GDP growth and creating a fertile environment for online businesses.