Tech
FPRI BMB Russia: Google tech tax 2.0
The latest in Russian tech protectionism, the government is considering implementing a new tax on foreign IT firms that use consumer data for advertising.
Uzbekstan's Fergana region to spend $8.5mn setting up electric scooter production
Three companies say they plan to set up production of electric scooters at the Kokand free economic zone.
Global IT group Stefanini opens EMEA operational security centre in Bucharest
Brazil-based company Stefanini's operational security centre in Bucharest will work with customers from the entire EMEA region.
Facebook agrees to pay 18% sales tax in Tajikistan
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.
UNDP in Kazakhstan joins global network of innovative accelerator labs
Accelerator Lab to focus on helping improve livelihoods through digitalisation, and supporting Kazakhstan's green transition.
Bosnian rock band Dubioza kolektiv and robot Robby Megabyte together in a new song
Sarajevo University students built the robot Robby Megabyte to perform with Bosnia’s most popular rock band, Dubioza kolektiv.
Kaspi.kz reports 33.6% jump in net income in 2020
Kaspi.kz has benefited from the coronavirus pandemic-driven shift to digital services by people who have been forced to largely stay indoors.
Prague-based ARX buys Slovenia’s I-Tech
Czech private equity investor to help I-Tech grow organically.
Montenegro to protect wines with smart tags in pilot study
Montenegro’s biggest wine producer 13 Jul Plantaze aims to protect its wines from counterfeiting.
IFC to provide $3mn loan to Kyrgyz broadband operator ElCat
Loan to Kyrgyzstan’s largest private wholesale broadband operator will boost fibre coverage in underserved areas of the country.
Romania expects to get €720mn from sale of 5G licenses this year
Revenues for the state budget from the sale of the entire 5G frequency spectrum could "easily" exceed €720mn, regulator said.
Romanian IT company Bittnet enters FTSE Russell indices
Romania will now have four companies in the FTSE Russell indices following its upgrade to secondary emerging market status last year.
Nato and North Macedonia sign agreement on preventing cyber incidents
MoU to help North Macedonia increase its resilience to cyber threats.
Rent-a-car app Yolcu360 tops Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Turkey 2020 ranking
Virtual studio developer Zero Density placed second while online streaming platform BluTV ranked third.
Croatia’s Photomath raises $23mn funding
The Photomath app has more than 220mn downloads globally, helping students and parents solve maths problems using a smartphone.
Russian message service Telegram hopes to raise $1bn with a convertible bond private placement
In January the popular messaging service WhatsApp experienced an exodus of users. Most of them went to Telegram, which is now looking for money to continue its development.
Romanian property rental platform Milluu raises money to expand in Poland
Largest-ever crowdfunding through Seedblink platform allows Milluu to replicate its business model in Warsaw.
Russia’s USM, Mail.ru Group, RDIF and Megafon to create a digital finance and payments JV with Jack Ma’s Ant Group
Russia’s telecom and tech giants Mail.ru and Megafon, together with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will create a digital payments joint venture with Ant Group
Slovenian startup DaiBau raises fresh funds from Henkel
DaiBau runs portals in several countries where investors can link up with building contractors.
Belgian IT company Cegeka opens office in Moldova
Cegeka intends to employ 200 people in Moldova as it expands its presence in Eastern Europe.