Romania
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.
Hourly labour cost in Romania 25% of EU28 average in 2018
Romania remains one of the countries with the lowest labour costs in the EU despite posting the highest rise in labour costs across the bloc for two years running.
Romania’s employment hits new high, but industrial workforce shrinks
The primary driver was the shrinking workforce in low-earning light industry sectors like textiles, while automakers also cut employment at the same time as raising output.
IIB makes loan to Moldova’s Trans-Oil to acquire Romania’s Tandarei vegetable oil producing plant
The funds will be used for development and technical modernisation of the plant that has a strong export potential, as well as to finance its operating needs.
Romania’s wages still super strong, but not for long
The average net wage in Romania rose by 17.9% y/y to RON 2,933, or EUR 618 at the average exchange rate in February, the statistics office (INS) informed on April 8. But no more wage hikes are planned and growth will slow this year
Romanian police find another 152kg of cocaine on Black Sea coast
Police are still searching the seashore for more drug caches after hundreds of kilos of cocaine were found washed ashore or floating in the sea.
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CEE monthly bond wrap: window swings open for issues
Opportunity knocked at start of 2019 after US Fed indicated it was retreating from tightening. That switched bond investors to risk-on and yield-hungry, attracting many to Emerging Europe markets.
Former Romanian anti-corruption chief banned from leaving the country
Kovesi — a persistent thorn in the side of Romania’s ruling coalition until her removal from the post last year — was placed under judicial control shortly after she was selected as a candidate for the European chief public prosecutor position.
Romania raises €3bn in Eurobonds and more to come
This was the country’s largest combined issue ever, reflecting the government’s need to find financing resources outside the local market where the borrowing cost is rising.
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.
VISEGRAD BLOG: Time for the awkward guest to leave the party
While EU member states in Central and Southeast Europe are concerned about the economic impact of Brexit, there is a growing feeling that the UK needs to stop prolonging the uncertainty and carry through its decision to leave.