Romania
CEE Equity Partners announces closing of second fund after $800mn pours in
Second China-CEE Investment Cooperation fund expected to grow to $1bn later this year after first closing on $800mn, and will expand investment focus to encompass healthcare, tourism, education and agriculture.
Cash-rich Penta to expand leading Czech pharma chain Dr.Max to China
Penta looks to long-term success in the world's second largest pharma market after making a record €245mn consolidated net profit in 2017.
Romanian developers get in the game
Ubisoft and other big international studios laid the foundations of Romania’s game development industry, and now a growing number of talented local developers are striking out on their own.
Advent in direct talks to buy Sanofi's generics arm Zentiva
Private equity investor Advent International aims to turn Prague-based Zentiva into an independent European leader in generic drugs.
Czech media oligarchs add radio stations to their media empire
Czech Media Investment group, controlled by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, will pay €73mn for Lagardere group radio stations operating in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
Romania entrepreneur aims to put home-grown UAV defence technology industry on the map
Autonomous Flight Technologies (AFT) drone Hirrus is a home grown state of the art unmanned drone that the company is hoping to sell to Nato members and for commercial use
Romania’s labour market further tightens as unemployment drops
Unemployment dropped to a post-crisis low of just 3.94% in February with the lowest rates in Bucharest and major western cities.
Romanian bourse's blue chip index boasts fastest growth in EU
Bucharest Stock Exchange's BET index soared 12.4% during Q1 to its highest value in 11 years, pushed up by massive dividends paid by state-owned companies.
Romania’s inflation nears 5% y/y in March
Central bank expects inflation to subside once effects of loose fiscal and income policies pursued by the government dissipate.
Macedonia defies illiberal trend in otherwise gloomy Freedom House report
Macedonia described as the "most promising chance for a democratic breakthrough" in Europe, as prospects for democracy look bleak in majority of post-communist states.
COMMENT: Does Germany hold the key for Albania’s accession to the EU?
The European Commission's new progress reports for the six Western Balkan countries, including Albania, are expected next week. Crucially, they will evaluate performance against delivery of the required reforms as part of the EU accession process
Romania’s retail sales growth decelerates to 4.9% y/y in February
Private consumption is expected to decelerate this year as consumer confidence has been dented by concerns over wages and expectations concerning inflation and the exchange and interest rates.
Romania’s 2017 GDP growth marginally revised downward
At 6.9% Romania's 2017 GDP growth was still extremely robust and revised data shows household consumption was the main driver.
Romania’s central bank surprises markets by not hiking interest rate
Governor Mugur Isarescu denied central bank policy is influenced by recent pressure from the government, which has accused the monetary authority of pushing up interest rates.
CEE cities take on the challenge of climate change
Cities are critical to climate change mitigation efforts, and while CEE municipal authorities have to contend with region-wide challenges like demographic decline and a chronic lack of funding, they are no laggards in this area.
Global trade war to hammer Eastern EU members
The small, open economies in the eastern part of the European Union will suffer disproportionately if the global trade war currently brewing extends to Europe, analysts have warned.
Romania’s head prosecutor resuscitates trial on bloody end of Communist regime
Former president Ion Iliescu and other top officials could be tried for crimes against humanity over their role in the brutal events of December 1989 when Romania's Communist-era dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was removed from power.
BRICKS AND MORTAR: Romania risks losing its moment in the property investment sun
Lack of product has deterred some international firms from stepping into the Romanian real estate market, but locals say there are lucrative niches ripe for investment.
Nato joins wave of Russian diplomat expulsions after Skripal poisoning
Several European states followed suit but others are still considering whether to take action over the poisoning of an ex-spy on British soil, which has already triggered over 100 expulsions by western countries.
Schweighofer sells its Romanian forests to Swedish GreenGold
Austrian wood processor beats a retreat from Romanian market after most local DIY chains blacklist its products over illegal sourcing accusations.