Eastern Europe / Features
Two-thirds of Russian firms want a stronger ruble
Two-thirds (66%) of enterprises in the Russian manufacturing sector think that a stronger ruble will improve their profits, according to an annual survey conducted by the RBK newspaper.
Ukrainian farmers turn to Donbas veterans for protection from raiders
Unarmed veterans are helping farmers fight back against asset thieves and the authoritities don't like it.
Only one of eight Ukrainian power assets for privatisation likely to be sold, say analysts
Skepticism is rife as the government in Kyiv again attempts to power up its stalled privatisation drive.
Russian textbook titan trains to become all-round education provider
Prosveshcheniye, Russia’s largest educational publisher, is looking to float on the Moscow Stock Exchange as early as next year to raise investment finance.
FINTECH: A Russian fintech revolution is coming
Russia is ranked third in the world for the use of financial technology services and bankers at the annual sector conference in St Petersburg this year said they are continuing to roll out new cutting edge services.
Ukraine food giant diversifies its way out of country's crisis
Astarta now makes half its sales from exports, while sugar makes up less than half its revenue mix.
Belarus recovery underway in January-June
Belarus is the laggard of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as the rest of the region emerges from recession, but the economy is picking up a little steam mid-year.
Bodyguards Incorporated: the rise and fall of Putin's presidential guards' construction empire
The main job of Russia’s Federal Protective Service is to guard President Vladimir Putin, but until recently it ran a secret and highly profitable construction empire that collapsed after getting entangled with St Petersburg's richest oligarch.
MOSCOW BLOG: A tale of two countries – Russia vs Ukraine 1H17
Both countries have emerged from the crisis and are starting to recover, but Ukraine remains a lot more vulnerable than Russia to any shocks in the near future.
CHINA RISING: Our series of features on China's expansion ambitions
A focus on China’s growing interest in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia looking at the implications in terms of geopolitics as well as business and investment
Reconstruction of Moscow's city centre is hurting retailers but vacancy rates passed bottom
Reconstruction of the city centre is hurting retailers but vacancy rates seem to have passed bottom, according to real estate consultant JJL.
CHINA RISING: Beijing's insatiable appetite transforms Central Asian oil and gas flows
The Western grip on Central Asian oil and gas flows is weakening, and half of the volumes could go east by 2020, according to the IEA.
CHINA RISING: Belarus seeks its place orbiting China
Minsk is now trying to improve Great Stone Park's preferential regime in order to make it a more attractive proposition.
CHINA RISING: Beijing puts down banking roots in CEE
Three banking acquisitions are already closed and two more are pending approval by regulators.
CHINA RISING: Russia China Investment Fund takes aim at Russia’s best equity stories
China's sovereign wealth fund has partnered with Russia’s and is ready to invest big bucks.
Small East European nations in vanguard of cyber-defence
Estonia and Georgia, two nations that several years back suffered paralysing Russian cyber incursions, have made the top 10 in a fresh UN cybersecurity ranking.
 Cropped_1499419109.png)
Bond markets flourish in the CIS to replace bank loans
The bond markets of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are flourishing as companies eschew traditional banking credits and instead issue paper to tap the pool of liquidity in the banking sector.
Belarus’ retail king Euroopt goes on the road
Belarusian retail king Euroopt is arguably one of the best run and fastest growing companies in the CIS and you have almost certainly never heard of it. Already a $2bn business, it is taking its story on the road.
Alexei Navalny: potent sideshow pony in Russia’s one-horse race
Under 2% of Russians see the anti-corruption campaigner as presidential material, but he can still put the hoof into Russia's status quo.