COVID-19 and Trump’s indifference helped human rights abusers in 2020
Belarusian government sees $2bn of withdrawals, issues $580mn worth of bonds in 2020
Lukashenko: I am no enemy of the people
Storming parliaments: New Europe's greatest hits
One of Russia’s biggest wood product companies, Segezha could be Sistema’s next IPO
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EU to begin certifying Russian Sputnik V vaccine for use in Europe
New Ukrainian VC firm QPDigital aims to invest up to $100 million in digital startups
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FPRI BMB Ukraine: Most Ukrainians are optimistic about 2021 – poll
OUTLOOK 2021 Lithuania
EBRD says loan to Estonia’s controversial Porto Franco project was never disbursed
Estonian premier quits after Tallinn development scandal
Top Centre Party official suspected of corruption in Tallinn real estate scandal
Czech Pirates and Mayors approve final coalition agreement for 2021 elections
OUTLOOK 2021 Czechia
BRICKS & MORTAR: Rosier future beckons for CEE retailers after year of change and disruption
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OUTLOOK 2021 Hungary
Hungarian government remains silent after Capitol riots
World Bank expects modest recovery for Europe and Central Asia in 2021
FDI inflows to CEE down 58% in 1H20 but rebound expected
OUTLOOK 2021 Slovakia
Slovakia to invest €1.2bn in digitisation
BALKAN BLOG: The controversial recipe for building up Albania
Heavy flooding causes chaos in parts of Southeast Europe
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OUTLOOK 2021 Albania
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Sofia-based LAUNCHub Ventures holds first close of new fund on €44mn
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OUTLOOK 2020 Bulgaria
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OUTLOOK 2021 Kosovo
Arrera Automobili aims to launch Albania’s first supercar
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OUTLOOK 2021 Montenegro
Vast tide of floating waste threatens Balkan hydropower plants
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OUTLOOK 2021 North Macedonia
Transparency International warns of high corruption risk in CEE defence sectors
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OUTLOOK 2021 Serbia
Slovenia’s opposition files no-confidence motion against Jansa cabinet
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BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Let’s tentatively pencil in a date for Turkey’s hot money outflow
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OUTLOOK 2021 Armenia
Armenia’s PM cautions conflict with Azerbaijan “still not settled” after trilateral meeting with Putin
COMMENT: Record high debt levels will slow post-coronavirus recovery, threaten some countries' financial stability, says IIF
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OUTLOOK 2021 Georgia
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TEHRAN BLOG: Who’s more credible? Johnson backing Trump’s Nobel chances or Iran applauding arrest warrant for US president?
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OUTLOOK 2021 Kyrgyzstan
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OUTLOOK 2021 Tajikistan
China business briefing: Not happy with Kyrgyzstan
OUTLOOK 2021 Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan: How the Grinch stole New Year
Turkmenistan: The dammed united
COMMENT: Uzbekistan is being transformed, but where are the democratic reforms?
OUTLOOK 2021 Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s Makro positions itself for growth in a more competitive market
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Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on March 12 that the government will invest an additional RSD24bn (€200mn) in infrastructure projects in order to soften the expected negative effects on the economy from the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has already confirmed 19 Covid-19 cases and is taking steps to limit the spread of the disease.
Brnabic told a press conference dedicated to the coronavirus and its effects that the economy is “holding up perfectly” at present.
However, she warned of the future impact, noting that even according to conservative estimates, the coronavirus pandemic will reduce global growth by at least 0.5% this year.
According to Brnabic, the most threatened sectors in Serbia are tourism, transport and logistics.
The government has already spent funds to provide 160,000 free vouchers to citizens to spend their vacations in Serbian resorts, hoping to support the sector.
Brnabic also said in the statement that all infrastructure projects in Serbia are being implemented without delay at the moment.
“[I]ncreasing investment, public and private, is always the best remedy to slow growth,” the prime minister said.
Also on March 12, the Serbian central bank decided to cut its key rate by 0.5bp to 1.75%, its lowest level in the inflation targeting regime intended to support Serbia’s economic growth, aiming to respond to the increased insecurity in the international environment triggered by the spread of the coronavirus.
“By trimming the key policy rate in the conditions of low inflationary pressures, the [National Bank of Serbia] is providing additional support to credit and economic growth,” the central bank said in a statement.
Brnabic reinforced this message, commenting that: “Given the low inflationary pressures, I expect that the measures will facilitate the growth of credit and economic activity in the private sector.”
Meanwhile, Serbia closed three checkpoints at the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina due to the coronavirus outbreak. Bosnia confirmed several cases earlier in March. According to March 12 data, all the infected people are in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska.
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