Kazakhstan
Spotify to enter Russia, other emerging Europe markets in new expansion drive
In Russia, the move by Spotify will put pressure on local internet majors Yandex and Mail.ru Group that also offer music streaming services.
Kazakhstan hikes cargo transit in H1 despite pandemic
The volume of cargo travelling via Kazakhstan was up by 54% y/y in H1, as the country becomes an important transit zone under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Kazakhstan launches mobile app to combat counterfeit and illegal alcohol sales
e-Sapa app based on tracker for fuel sales developed as industry association says around 40% of alcohol sold in Kazakhstan is counterfeit or illegal.
New lockdowns imposed in Eurasia to fight rising coronavirus cases
Several countries in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans are seeing a strong rise in daily new cases after the easing of restrictions.
COVID-19 second wave strikes parts of emerging Europe
WHO warns of a “very serious resurgence” that risks pushing healthcare systems “to the brink” in 10 countries from the region after lockdowns were eased.
Restrictions come down again in emerging Europe as coronavirus cases surge
Several countries in emerging Europe have re-imposed lockdowns and border restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus after reporting spikes in new infections.
Global pandemic is boon for ESG funds, outperforming their brown peers
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a boon for environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds, 85% of which are now outperforming their non-ESG peers, according to a paper released by the Institute of International Finance (IIF)
China and Russia blur lines on “division of labour” in exerting influence over Central Asia
Author of report from Washington think tank points to fading of traditional arrangement whereby Moscow takes care of security matters while Beijing takes care of the economic side.
COMMENT: Global remittances to suffer a blow from COVID-19
Instead of triggering an increase in remittance payments, which is typical during times of crisis, the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has caused migrant payments to households in developing countries to slow dramatically.