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The female voice of change

Emerging Europe has a growing number of female politicians taking a stand against corruption and authoritarianism.

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KYIV BLOG: Zelenskiy government launches a major de-oligarchisation drive, but is it for real?

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spokesperson Iuliia Mendel posted a blog on the Atlantic Council’s website at the weekend claiming that Ukraine has launched a major de-oligarchisation campaign. But is the campaign for real?

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Germany calls for greater co-operation with Russia in a controversial paper ahead of EU ministers' meeting

Germany has made a controversial call on its western allies for greater co-operation with Russia on climate change and to repair frayed relations at a time when the US is considering upping sanctions and targeting Russia’s sovereign debt.

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COMMENT: Uzbek privatisation - this time it seems to be for real

Privatisation efforts in Uzbekistan are moving to a practical level. The newly appointed State Asset Management Agency head has started to implement the presidential decree on privatisation with a new zeal.

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News

Timisoara is the first first-tier Romanian city to enter lockdown in 2021, but the number of infections is rising elsewhere in the country.

Sees Turkey going into another boom-and-bust cycle though, with the right policies, believes country could be best growth story in European time zone for the next 10 years.

Fix Price, one of the leading variety value retailers globally and the largest in Russia, has successfully priced its IPO on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange at $9.75 per GDR, the top end of the previously announced price range.

Czechia could be second EU country to use the Chinese vaccine, though health minister criticises initiative.

Government criticised for sluggish response, with shops and schools only being closed now despite earlier warnings of 'third wave'.

Tech

The latest in Russian tech protectionism, the government is considering implementing a new tax on foreign IT firms that use consumer data for advertising.

Three companies say they plan to set up production of electric scooters at the Kokand free economic zone.

Brazil-based company Stefanini's operational security centre in Bucharest will work with customers from the entire EMEA region.

Tajik government has been trying for two years to boost state revenues by forcing tech firms like Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Booking.com to pay taxes inside Tajikistan.

Accelerator Lab to focus on helping improve livelihoods through digitalisation, and supporting Kazakhstan's green transition.

Opinion

A decision over oil production levels and prices looks to have been delayed for a month following the OPEC+ meeting, between OPEC’s 13 members and 10 other non-OPEC countries, on March 4.

It has been an exceptional month for commodity markets, with growing inflation expectations increasing investor interest in the assets. Meanwhile, fundamental developments, particularly in the oil market, have only provided a further boost.

On March 5, the US State Department issued a public designation of Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky for his involvement in “significant corruption,” and banned both him and his immediate family from entering the United States.

Turkish inflation maintained its uptrend in February reflecting still strong cost-push factors, sticky services inflation and elevated inflation expectations.

After the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ended its review in February without allocating the next part of its $5bn loan to Ukraine, Kyiv is now expecting to receive a $700mn tranche by early June

Data

CPI rate reached 5.7% y/y in February, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reported on March 5. This marks the highest level since November 2016.

Ukraine’s gross international reserves (GIR) fell by 1% to $28.5bn due to redemption of debt obligations, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reported on March 5 as cited by Unian.

GDP per capita in the North-West region of Bulgaria is just 32% of the EU average.

Romania's retail sales volume index increased by 1.6% y/y in January amid expectations of an austerity budget for 2021.

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reversed its easing policy and hiked rates for the first time since June 2020 by 50bp to 6.5% at its monetary policy meeting on March 4.

Features

Investors into Russian stocks, bonds and the ruble are holding their breath, waiting to see how bad the widely expected US sanctions on Russia will be. But the growing consensus is that the US sanctions will be light and merely symbolic.

This year, Forbes Russia compiled a list of Russia’s 30 most eco-friendly companies for the first time, reported New Economy Observer February 26.

The mine used to be President Japarov's cause célèbre, but these days he has to be more pragmatic.

Trees are one of Russia’s biggest natural resources. Russia's forests stretch half way around the world and it is home to 70% of the planet's entire stock of soft wood – ideal for making paper.

North Macedonia’s Grouper adapted swiftly to the pandemic, rolling out an online marketplace and food delivery platform, co-founder Nina Angelovska tells bne IntelliNews.

Blogs

Law and Justice's attempt to build national champions in the banking and energy sectors will make the Polish economy even more state and party dominated.

Populist measure meant to make housing more affordable for the middle class—but the effect might be just the opposite.

Lira goes into reverse as global environment sours and unease grows over how Turkey’s newfound economic orthodoxy might not last.

The potential for energy savings in the buildings sector — characterised by ageing, poorly maintained apartment blocks — is estimated at more than 50% of consumption, Energy Community report shows.

Rally of PM Pashinian, who took to the streets warning a military coup was under way, fails to reach critical mass. Opposition’s rival effort, meanwhile, was a flop.

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The world was hit by a global pandemic and an oil shock in 2020 but as 2021 gets underway the economies in Emerging Europe are bou....

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