Romania
Romanian hypermarket chain La Cocos expands in market dominated by foreign players
La Cocos reached €200mn turnover in 2023 and plans to more than double its number of stores in 2024-25.
BMW and Romanian partner NTT Data establish IT joint venture in Cluj-Napoca
BMW says partnership will establish new hub and tackle problem of IT expert shortage.
Newly released PMI index shows Romania's manufacturing sector stuck in recession
The Romanian manufacturing sector faces new shocks from supply chain bottlenecks and higher taxes affecting activity, in the context of already broad-based weakness in demand.
Romania refuses to license Huawei equipment for 5G applications
Telcos in Romania can only use technology from companies approved by the government in their 5G networks.
Battle for Bucharest mayor seat heats up
Ex-mayor Gabriela Firea unexpectedly announced her candidacy, while Romania's ruling parties are still discussing who to nominate.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy seeks support from Southeast Europe at Tirana summit
Ukrainian president and Albanian prime minister warn of Russian threat to destabilise the region.
Liberty Steel's financial crisis is just the latest blow for CEE's steel industry
The woes of Liberty Steel's mills also reflect the struggle of former Communist Central and Eastern Europe’s once mighty steel sector to remain competitive.
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Macron says sending Nato ground troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out
French president says Russia now presents a greater danger and nothing should be excluded.
Commercial real estate investment dropped by 55% in Central Europe in 2023, says Cushman & Wakefield
The highest proportion of the capital went into the office sector, although its share dropped from 41% in 2022 to 32% in 2023 because of the increasing trend towards remote work.
GapMinder sets up €80mn VC fund with EU, EBRD among investors
Fund to target Romania and the region with focus on fintech, cybersecurity, enterprise automation and data/analytics.
Romania’s president pitches to be CEE's candidate for Nato top seat
The alliance's CEE countries had hoped to be strong contenders to helm the alliance this time around, but the Netherlands' Mark Rutte appears to have it in the bag already.
World Bank says Emerging Europe needs tougher targets to reach net zero by 2060
New World Bank report charts path to net zero energy in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, but says current ambitions are too modest.
With decisive actions, net zero energy is within reach in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, says new World Bank report
A new World Bank report released today lays out pathways for countries in the emerging Europe and Central Asia region to make the shift towards renewable energy and reduce their fossil fuel dependence.
With decisive actions, net zero energy is within reach in the Emerging Europe and Central Asia, says new World Bank report
A new World Bank report released today lays out pathways for countries in the emerging Europe and Central Asia region to make the shift towards renewable energy and reduce their fossil fuel dependence.
Fusion another step closer?
Fusion, the holy grail of the energy transition, is closer than ever before. But it’s still unclear whether it can be commercialised in time to ward off the climate crisis.
Romania starts €200mn dredging operation at port used for Ukraine exports
Expanding capacity of Romania’s Constanta Port will help Ukrainian grain exporters bypass Poland, where farmers’ protests have erupted.
CEE losing competitiveness because of soaring wages and weak productivity growth
Unit labour costs have surged by 25% since 2020 – something not seen since the early 2000s, says Capital Economics
Clear east-west divide in EU for gender balance in science and engineering
Female employment in science and engineering is well above 50% in multiple regions of Central and Southeast Europe, Eurostat figures show.
Romania’s industrial output shrinks by 4.9% in 2023
Industrial activity has deteriorated in Romania, with the overall industrial output index (chart) contracting by 4.9% y/y in 2023 according to data published by the statistics office INS. Romanian industry has been losing ground since before COVID.