Data
Western Balkans need to diversify energy mix with renewables, EBRD says
Coal-fired power plants account for a significant share of the region’s power generation, with most burning highly polluting lignite.
75% of Bulgarians unhappy with political situation, expect early election
Market Links poll shows a very similar situation to early 2013, when Bulgaria saw months of mass protests ending with the government's resignation.
Ukraine’s current account deficit declined to $863mn in October
The current account deficit was considerably smaller than the $1.6bn reported in September, the National Bank of Ukraine said.
Estonian industrial production growth weakens in October
The 1.7% y/y expansion rate marks a slowdown of 0.6pp compared to the sector’s performance in September. Still, output has now grown for 28 months straight in Estonian industry.
Prime Minister Groysman says average wages in Ukraine up 25% y/y in October
Ukraine's government forecasts an increase in the average wage in 2018 to UAH10,000 ($356), but the central bank has warned of a slowdown in wage growth next year.
Every fifth Russian worker earns less than $250 per month
In 22 regions over 33% of people earn less than this amount, according to the survey by the RIA Rating agency.
Russia’s manufacturing recovery gathers some momentum with strong PMI result in November
The recovery of Russia’s manufacturing sector, until now the weakest part of the economy, showed signs of building up momentum in November as the IHS Markit manufacturing PMI index put in its second strong showing in a row to 52.6.
Romanian technical consumer goods market up 17% in Jan-Sep
The market slowed down in Q3, but the slowdown was nothing like that of overall retail sales that showed their weakest performance in five years in Q3.
World Bank urges Macedonia to use its potential to accelerate economic growth
EU-aspiring Macedonia has the potential to accelerate its economic growth and reduce poverty if it leverages the advantages of its strategic location and openness to trade and investment to achieve EU standards, the World Bank said in a new report.
Turkey raises December domestic borrowing projection to TRY4.5bn
Move follows finance minister last week telling parliamentary committee he did not really need to borrow lira through the end of the year but that did not mean that he would not.
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Russia's CBR says its ready to resume FX purchases next year
The Governor of the Central Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina sees current market conditions as fit to restart FX purchases off the market in January,
Labour cost in Czechia has been rising sharply
Czechia is a leader amongst fast rising labour costs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with average wages up 9.3% y/y in the 2Q18, the sixth highest in the EU
Romanian households experience steepest electricity price rise in EU28
Lower electricity prices in Romania are partly explained by milder taxation: taxes and levies accounted for only 27% of Romanians' electricity bills compared to the EU average of over 37%.
The vast majority of Russians say they are happy
84% of Russians feel happy and say that being part of a family, being healthy and having a good job are reasons to be cheerful, state owned pollster VTsIOM said.
Turkish consumer confidence recovers slightly in November
Amid slump in demand triggered by currency crisis analysts see signs Turks have switched their consumption away from imports towards domestically-produced goods.
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Ukraine retail trade increases by 5.4% y/y in January-October
Ukraine’s retail sales increased by 5.4% year-on-year in real terms in January-October, following 5.5% y/y growth in January-September, according to the nation's state statistics service Ukrstat.
Slovenian Environment Agency warns of severe climate changes by end of century
Average temperatures are expected to rise by up to 6°C by 2100, while the number of extreme weather events will significantly increase.
Polish industrial production rebounds in October
The headline figure constitutes a solid rebound against the unadjusted growth of just 2.8% y/y in September, which confused analysts, especially in the context of a surge in the GDP growth in the third quarter.
Issued building permits in Turkey down 41% y/y in Jan-Sept
Data highlights how Turkish downturn amid the lira currency crisis has gathered pace.
Romanian banks post second-highest profit of last decade in Q3
Profitability ratios were close to those seen in 2008 before the credit crunch and subsequent economic recession.