Albania
Journalists in Central, Southeast Europe face harassment, intimidation and violence
Bulgaria the worst place to be a journalist across the EU and the Balkans, says Reporters Without Borders, but decline in press freedom seen across many countries in the region.
Central and Eastern European countries' high-tech exports boom
Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries high-tech exports are booming, according to a study recently conducted by RS Components, based on an analysis of 10 years of high-tech export data from The World Bank.
China pledges to boost trade and infrastructure ties with CEE countries
At the latest 16+1 summit Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the importance of reciprocal opening-up of the market, and says China will make further efforts to facilitate trade.
Albanian firms try to move their gambling business to Montenegro
Owners of casinos and betting shops look to opportunities across the border after the authorities in Tirana banned gambling except in five-star hotels outside urban areas.
COMMENT: EU & the Western Balkans: a win-win constellation at second glance
At first glance, the enlargement of the EU to include the states of the Western Balkans seems to be an irrelevant trifle for the EU, but on closer inspection it is a good idea as expansion of the EU is not just about business.
Western Balkans: Too small to be the next big thing?
Central Europe has been enjoying a boom for the last few years driven by investment into export-oriented sectors but as the boom peaks investors are looking south for new locations to set up production.
Albania clamps down on cannabis but trafficking of hard drugs increases
The high jobless rate and weak rule of law have created an ideal environment for organised crime groups that are “largely able to operate with impunity,” says US State Department report.
Rising risks to Western Balkans growth outlook
Region is facing growing external and domestic risks, including geopolitical and trade disputes and a slower-than-expected pace of structural reforms, a new World Bank report says.
Albania among fastest growing economies in SEE with 4.06% growth in 2018
The government expects Albania to keep posting strong economic growth of 4.3% in 2019 even though growth slowed in the final quarter of 2018.
Kosovo to be fastest-growing economy in Central, Southeast Europe this year as regional boom passes peak
Once robust expansion is set to slow in coming years, says wiiw report, with the weakest growth in Russia, Turkey and Belarus, while small Southeast European frontier markets are still going strong.
Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia lead EBRD Knowledge Economy Index
Baltic States and Slovenia close to OECD comparators on knowledge economy index, while frontier markets like Belarus, Georgia and Serbia make strong progress.
Western Balkan coal-fired power plants surviving on subsidies
All coal-based electricity generation incumbents in aspiring EU members from the region would go bankrupt immediately if they had to respect the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme Directive, Energy Community report finds.