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(published in: Mar, 2011)
The liberalization of the Balkan economies was seen by the EU, the USA and the major international financial institutions as necessary to attract and steer, politically and financially, the ex-Yugoslav nations on the way to western model of society. The Central Eastern Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in its most recent shape was established in 2007 and since then have made achivements but also raised problems.
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(published in: Dec, 2010)
In CEE we expect GDP growth in the region next year of 3.8%, up from 3.6% this year, with every country in our group to show gains for the first time in 4 years. The crisis is not over yet, but signs of recovery begin to show in the area. What to expect for the new year?
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(published in: Jul, 2010)
Romania’s Constitutional Court ruled on 25 June that some of the austerity measures to be implemented by the government are unconstitutional. To offset the ruling that pensions cannot be cut, the government decided to increase VAT. These events have prompted the possible delay in a rebound of local demand. This year will also see a one-off jump in inflation as an immediate consequence of the VAT increase.
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(published in: Jun, 2010)
Following the Greek difficulties and the comments by some Hungarian officials regarding the week status of Hungary’s public finances, this week the Bulgarian budget was at center stage. To avoid sustainability of its fiscal position being called into question, the Bulgarian government already implemented a number of austerity measures, but the European Commissioner Rehn is considering sending a missionto the country.
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(published in: May, 2010)
Estonia will be the 17th eurozone member, the third of the ex-communist countries after Slovenia (2007) and Slovakia (2009) to join the common currency, the euro. Indeed, the EU authorities gave a positive assessment on Estonia’s readiness to join the eurozone, despite several macroeconomic and structural risks underlined by the authorities.
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(published in: Apr, 2010)
The impact of the global crisis is not ended and the south east european countries are still inside significant social and economic difficulties. The recovery is possible but needs much work on the financial and institutional side. This survey, by the research unit of the Unicredit banking Group, highlights the perspectives, the weeknesses and strenghts of seventeen countries of the area in the second quarter of 2010.
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(published in: Feb, 2010)
Greece is under strict control by the European Commission following the explosion of is annual deficit. Someone belives that the Greek financial system is in peril and the state finances are approaching collapse. Wich are the possible consequencies of this situation for the investments that Athens has made in South Eastern Europe?
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(published in: Feb, 2010)
The recovery from the economic downturn in South East Europe (SEE) is delayed and the countries of the area are suffering from its effects, in particular on the society and productive activities. This survey, by the research unit of the Unicredit banking Group, highlights the perspectives, the weeknesses and strenghts of seventeen nations of the area with regard to the first quarter of 2010.
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(published in: Jan, 2010)
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(published in: Jun, 2009)
The international economic and financial crisis is damaging the whole European Union. Nevertheless the newest member countries are suffering more in terms of job losses and public accounts imbalances. Can this situation disrupt the integration process in the EU, given that it is built primarly on the commercial and financial exchanges between new members and founding states?
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(published in: Feb, 2009)
The latvian economy is suffering strongly because of the international business climate. The baltic country has obtained a loan worth 7.5 billion euros from the International Monetary Found, the European Union and other states particularly involved in the latvian economy. It will sustain the national productive structure, but the debt and the deeply negative social and economic indexes foreshadow a difficult future in the near term.
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(published in: Nov, 2008)
The European Union has officially accepted Bucharest as a member from January, 1st 2007. This historical event has contributed strongly to the positive economic trend experienced by the country in the last few years. Its GDP growth and the amount of foreign direct investments are higher than those of other countries of the area. Anyway Romania must still solve some structural, social and administrative problems. The beginning of 2008 has showed a substantial continuity with the previous year, and the trade deficit is rising due to imports of industrial machines and other investment goods.
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(published in: Nov, 2008)
The entry of Bulgaria in the European Union, on 1 January 2007, has marked an acceleration in the development pace of the nation. Sofia has seen a GDP growth of 6.3% in 2007 and a similar course in the beginning of 2008. Foreign Direct Investments have recently been on the rise, too. Nonetheless the country suffers some structural problems, such as widespread corruption, poverty and unemployment.
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(published in: Nov, 2007)
This report focuses on financial, economic and commercial indicators about the Bosnian economy in the period which stretches from 2000 to 2005. it includes a quick overview on the period after indipendence from the Jugoslav Federation.
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(published in: Nov, 2007)
Since the transition period, Kirghizistan has been supported by financial international organizations and has been developing a plan of economic restructuring in order to rebuild the economic structure of the country. Anyway, in the first decade after indipendence, the Central Asian nation has suffered a difficult and a sharp worsening of general situation of the population.