Features
Investors ask which Russian bank domino will be the next to topple
Promsvyazbank is seen as most at risk of the Garden Ring banks after buying up weaker rivals and diversifying aggressively into other industries.
Kremlin to launch massive infrastructure projects in 2018
The Russian government plans to launch a series of massive infrastructure projects after the 2018 presidential election, addressing a significant shortfall the country is facing.
Russia's CBR starts work on cleaning up Binbank
Russia's central bank has given troubled Binbank an unsecured loan, but has not disclosed the amount as it starts the rescue of yet another large "Garden Ring" commercial bank.
Directors resign from board of Ukraine's gas monopoly over derailed reforms
The two surviving independent members of the supervisory board at Ukraine's gas monopoly Naftogaz quit on September 19, citing "the government’s lack of commitment to duly implement the corporate governance reform".
Obuv Rossii has the right shoe for Russia’s regions
Shoe retailer plans IPO this autumn to build on strong growth across its regional network.
Romania’s media sector in turmoil
With several of Romania’s media moguls behind bars or on the run, a shakeout is expected in the sector — but this is unlikely to address serious concerns about media pluralism.
Tajik bond potentially a tragic bond?
Tajikistan’s $500mn Eurobond debut is intended to fund construction of the Rogun dam and help Central Asia’s poorest country become a regional energy exporter, yet Dushanbe has a history of being an unreliable financial partner.
Kazakhs question legacy of $5bn Expo 2017
The money could have been spent on wind farms instead, says one visitor to space age green energy themed exhibition, as renewable energy potential remains unused in fossil fuel rich Kazakhstan.
Croatian startup sets the benchmark for smart benches
Production of Steora solar-powered smart benches to be doubled by year-end to supply smart city projects around the world, but founder rues "weird laws and regulations" holding back Croatian tech startups.
Russian monthly equity wrap: the boom in steel stocks continued in August
Investors snapped up metal and mining names thanks to the high prices for ferrous metals on international markets and the expectation that demand from China will accelerate
Is Russia on the verge of another banking crisis?
The near collapse of leading commercial bank Financial Corporate Otkritie has raised a wider question: is Russia is facing another banking crisis?
Russia's Otkritie collapse: the owners and the deals
Who were the owners of Russia's Otkritie bank and what where the deals that got it into so much trouble?
Russia’s banking sector on the edge again
Russia’s banking sector was rocked in August when Otkritie Financial Corporation, the second biggest private bank in the country and one of 10 “systemically important” banks, was taken over by the central bank.
Crisis over Ukraine gas monopoly snowballs
The management crisis at state-owned gas monopoly Naftogaz took a new turn after Charles Proctor, an independent member of the supervisory board, said he will resign from his post in late September, citing the lack of government support.
Uzbekistan lifts currency controls driving hopes of investment renaissance
The winds of change are blowing in Central Asia. The removal of currency controls in Uzbekistan on September 5 could lead to a flood of investment and a sustained boom in the region's most populous country.
Russky Standart group's profits soar as illegal vodka production eradicated
Has the tide turned for Rustam Tariko, the owner of both Russky Standart vodka and a bank by the same name? The vodka business is booming, largely thanks to the fact the government has almost completely eradicated illegal vodka production.
Economists tangle over risk of a Greek-style collapse in Turkey
Istanbul’s introduction of a credit guarantee fund has triggered a private sector credit boom that some analysts fear could end in tears if Europe’s banks become unwilling to lend to their Turkish counterparts.