Eastern Europe / Data
Russia still playing important role in Ukraine’s trade as turnover rises in H1
Russia still playing important role in Ukraine’s trade as turnover rises in 1H17 and remains one of Ukraine’s top five trade partners in terms of export of goods
Kyiv ranks in top 10 of least liveable cities in world, EIU study shows
Kyiv was one of the top five biggest decliners in this year’s “Global Liveability Report” by the EIU, with the Ukrainian capital dropping 21.4% in the index over the past five years.
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Russian industrial production slows sharply after strong spring run
Russian industrial production decelerated to just 1.1% y/y in July from 3.5% y/y in June, with economic recovery struggling to gather real momentum.
Nearly two-thirds of Russians choose ruble as their preferred savings currency
Nearly two thirds of all Russians (63%) choose the ruble as their preferred savings currency, according to a survey by the state owned pollster, the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM). That is up from 53% a year ago
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Russian life expectancy up by six months to 72.4yrs
Average life expectancy in Russia in the first half of this year up by half a year to 72.4 years, according to deputy PM, but population nevertheless passes a peak.
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Ukraine's balance of payments deficit more than doubles to $1.882bn in Jan-June 2017
Ukraine's balance of payments deficit more than doubled to $1.882bn in January-June 2017, increasing by almost 2.6 times year on year. In the first half of 2016, Ukraine ran a balance of payments deficit of $727.5mn.
Bank lending conditions improve in Emerging Europe
The Institute of International Finance (IIF) composite index for the Emerging Markets Bank Lending Conditions Survey in 2Q17 showed that while lending conditions in emerging markets (EM) in general have tightened, those in Europe are easing
Brno top destination for tech startups in CEE/CIS
Affordability makes the Czech Republic’s second city the highest ranked location in the CEE/CIS region on Nestpick’s latest Startup Cities Index.
Russian car market recovery strengthens in July
Sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia grew by 18.6% year-on-year in July, strengthening from the 15% y/y gain seen in May and June, the Association of European Businesses (AEB) that oversees the industry said on August 8.
Belarus forex reserves inch up by 1.6% in July
The foreign reserves of Belarus increased by $103.8mn or 1.6% m/m to $6.665bn in July, following a 25.2% m/m jump in June.
Most Russians still get their news from TV
More than two-thirds (69%) of Russians rely on TV to get their news, according to the state-owned pollster VTsIOM. Nine out of ten of the TV audience is elderly, while eight out of ten young people get their news from the internet.
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Russia's inflation below CBR's 4% target and lowest in five years
Inflation fell to below the Central Bank of Russia's (CBR) target level of 4% in July the lowest level since the bank switched to inflation targeting policy in late 2014 and lowest level since May 2012.
CEE monthly bond wrap: summer slowdown is here
The summer slowdown is here with bond issue volumes dropping off across the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region but still way ahead of last year’s results.
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Watcom index: Shopping in the cold summer of 2017
The Watcom shopping index continued to under-perform as 2017 turns out of be the worst shopping season in the last four years and was behind the 2016 average by 7-10% thanks to the bad weather in May, Watcom reports.
Russia to become a net borrower for first time in a decade
Russia may change from a net creditor into a net borrower, as the second of its three surpluses is expected to go negative next year. But with its tiny external debt and imminent application of the so-call fiscal rule, Russia can easily afford it.