US investment bank Morgan Stanley improved Russia's forecasted GDP growth in 2015-2016 amid partially recovered oil prices and easing of monetary policy that started earlier than expected, the bank said on July 10. Projected GDP decline was improved from -5% to -4.2% in 2015, and from -1.8% to -1.2% in 2016.
A stronger than expected net exports due to a sharp weakening of the ruble also added to a more optimistic prognosis. Morgan Stanley's new oil price guideline for 2015 is $62 per barrel, for 2016 - $67 per barrel. Inflation in Russia in the middle of 2015 will be at 15.2% and at 12% by the year-end, the forecast said.
The bank's experts also believe that the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) will lower the key interest rate by 250 basis points to 9% before the end of the year, and by another 100 basis points in 2016. They expect the regulator to lower the interest rate from 11.5% by 50 basis points at the next meeting of CBR's board of directors set for July 31.
Saudi private companies have captured 82% of contracts signed by the Saudi Development Fund over the past three years, with a total value exceeding $3bn, according to Abdulmohsen Al-Khayyal, ... more
Construction work on the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway could be under way within six months, while the project could cost around $4.6bn to deliver and cut shipping transit times from Uzbekistan to ... more
Uzbekistan’s banking industry is becoming more resilient, with the sector underpinned by ongoing structural reforms, stronger regulation and improving governance, ... more