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Bulgaria
Mid Europa Partners' New Fund to Invest EUR 800 Mln in CEE
Mid Europa Partners, the British private equity firm focused on buyouts in Central & Eastern Europe, announced the final closing of Mid Europa Fund IV at €800 million, complemented by an additional pre-allocated co-investment program of €650 million. Fund IV represents the largest dedicated fund to the CEE Region raised in the last 5 years.
September 5, 2014
Transport & Logistics - DB Schenker Opens New Logistics Center in Belgrade
DB Schenker will be moving into a new logistics center near Belgrade/Serbia at the beginning of 2015. The center will offer customers the technology for specialized logistics solutions.
August 29, 2014
Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City
The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).
July 25, 2014
Analysis: The South Stream Gas Pipeline
Due to the signing of the South Stream agreement between OMV and Gazprom for the Austrian part of the pipeline during Putin's visit to Vienna, we take a look at the background of the project.
June 25, 2014
CEE-Initiative: Strengthening Investment Fund Business in Central- and Eastern Europe (CEE)
The Hungarian association BAMOSZ and the Austrian association VÖIG initiated a closer collaboration and tighter co-operation between fund associations in CEE, the so-called „CEE Initiative“. The member associations of the „CEE Initiative“ are (in alphabetical order): Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
June 16, 2014
Austria: Western Balkans Representatives are Meeting in Vienna
The Western Balkans Conference and the Central European Initiative (CEI) Ministerial Meeting are currently discussing questions regarding the EU enlargement, the role of the EU as a peace project and the economic situation in the Western Balkans.
June 3, 2014
Nexans to Build Plant in Bulgaria
According to the Bulgarian Economy Ministry, French cable car constructor Nexans will establish a plant employing 600 persons.
May 12, 2014
CEZ Bulgaria in “Full Compliance with the Law”
CEZ, along with other foreign utilities in Bulgaria, does not regard itself being obliged to pay a certain amount to state-controlled utility NEK.
May 9, 2014
German Retailer Metro Faces Massive Losses in CEE
Sales in CEE declined 14.8 percent last year for German retail and wholesale enterprise Metro Group.
May 9, 2014
Bulgarian Mobile Affiliate of Telekom Austria Posts Loss in Profits
In the first quarter of 2014 revenues of Mobiltel, Bulgarian mobile operator and affiliate of Telekom Austria, dropped 6.4 percent year-on-year.
May 9, 2014
Austria DIY Chain BauMax Avoided Insolvency
Austrian leading DIY chain bauMax announced cost saving programs as part of its restructuring measures in Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. BauMax intends to focus on profitable business locations only.
May 9, 2014
Bulgaria: Banking Sector Getting Back on Feet Again
In the first quarter this year profits of the Bulgarian banking sector grew by 34 percent.
May 2, 2014
Raiffeisen Bank International AG - SWOT Analysis & Company Report May 2014
This new report contains in depth information and data about Raiffeisen Bank International AG and its operations and markets. It contains an overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecast data and a SWOT analysis.
April 25, 2014
Erste Group Bank AG: Full Year 2013 Company Report has been Published by FriedlResearch
Published in April 2014, this report contains in depth information and data about Erste Group and its operations and markets. It contains a company overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecasts, plus a SWOT analysis.
April 15, 2014
S IMMO AG: Letting success in Sofia
The first quarter of 2014 brought encouraging successes in letting for S IMMO AG in Sofia, one of the company’s most challenging markets.
April 9, 2014
RBI: Profit Shrinks by Almost A Quarter
RBI with consolidated profit of € 557 million Austria’s most profitable bank for the fourth time.
March 27, 2014
CEE: Investments to Boost Economic Growth
In the coming two years economic growth in Eastern Europe is expected to accelerate to an average of two to three percent of GDP triggered by a boost in investments.
March 13, 2014
Poland: Banks Expected to Preserve Ratings
According to US rating agency Standard&Poor;’s, Polish banks will be able to keep their credit ratings this year.
March 4, 2014
Bulgarians Pessimistic about Own Future
More than 90 percent of Bulgarian citizens deem the country to be in an economically bad situation.
February 20, 2014
Bulgaria: FDI Keeps Increasing
FDI (foreign direct investments) increased by € 1,229.4m in Bulgaria in 2013 while equity capital came at € 953.4m last year.
February 18, 2014
CEE: Still Growth Market in Real Estate Sector
The region is still a growth market in the real estate sector even after the crisis. However, the legal situation in some CEE countries can be a pitfall to real estate companies.
February 10, 2014
“Fragile Recovery in CEE Banking Sector”
According to the U.S. rating agency Fitch, the banking sector in Central and Eastern Europe is highly heterogeneous.
February 6, 2014
IMF: Bulgaria May Reach European Standards in 40 Years
According to the International Monetary Fund, the poorest EU member faces a long transition period.
February 4, 2014
CESEE: Corruption Is Still a Major Obstacle
The European Commission has published its first Anti-Corruption Report today. Above all, the economies in Southern and Southeastern Europe are suffering from corruption.
February 3, 2014
Bulgaria: IMF Puts Pressure on Government
The International Monetary Fund demands Bulgaria´s government to accelerate economic reforms.
February 3, 2014
„We Must Watch CESEE Very Carefully“
In an interview with the Austrian daily „Standard“, board member of Österreichische Kontrollbank AG Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger said that the economic crisis in CESEE is not over yet.
February 3, 2014
CESEE: Overtaking Western Europe Not Before 2055
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the transition period of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe will take longer than initially expected.
January 29, 2014
Foreign Banks Leaving Bulgarian Market
In the past three years three non-domestic banks have left the Bulgarian market.
January 24, 2014
Bulgaria Imposes Interest Ceiling on Quick Loans
The Bulgarian parliament plans on putting a lid on the interst rates of quick loans.
January 23, 2014
Austria: Debt Rate Rises Unstoppably
In the third quarter last year the Austrian public debt rate increased significantly compared to the previous quarter.
January 22, 2014
“No Real Wage Loss This Year“
In terms of real wages, Austria may face a trend reversal this year. In Southeastern Europe, by contrast, poverty is growing considerably.
January 21, 2014
S Immo Looking Forward to 2014
9.98% price performance and new projects in Berlin. Summary of 2013 and outlook for 2014
January 21, 2014
Bulgaria: Loan Portfolios Expected to Increase
The increase in industrial production will have a positive effect on the number of loans taken out.
January 16, 2014
CESEE: Massive Increase in Real Estate Investments
In Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the total volume of real estate transactions totaled € 10.bn last year. Most transactions were recorded in Russia and Poland.
January 15, 2014
Citizens from CEE Major Benefit for EU
A current paper published by the OECD shows that the European Union benefits from migration of Eastern European citizens as they compensate imbalances in the labor markets.
January 15, 2014
Europe/CESEE: Heavy Trade in Distressed Assets
Until 2018, European lenders will offload about 300bn of bad debts, according to PwC. Above all, U.S. private equity firms are taking the opportunity.
January 11, 2014
Bulgaria: Small Growth in Real Estate Market
The real estate market in Bulgaria saw a growth of 2.98 percent last year.
January 9, 2014
Southeastern Europe Endangered of Civil Unrests
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, several CESEE countries may face civil unrests in 2014. In particular, Southeastern Europe is in the danger zone.
January 4, 2014
CEE: Economic Sentiment Cautiously Optimistic
The economic sentiment for Eastern European countries is becoming more optimistic, however, only cautiously. Poland is on top of the list of economists at JP Morgan.
January 2, 2014
Croatia: Real Estate Market Crisis Goes On
After the collapse of the Croat real estate market in 2009/10, the price decrease still holds on.
December 30, 2013
Austrian and Germans Offered Most for Bulgarian Schuldschein
Average interest rates for Bulgarian Schuldschein loan range between 3.4 to 4.6 percent. Austrian and German investors offered most of the € 290m loan.
December 23, 2013
Bulgaria Still Below Pre-Crisis Level
The World Bank predicts that Bulgaria will not reach the pre-crisis level before 2008 in terms of GDP. Regarding Bulgaria´s fiscal situation, the country performs well, though.
December 20, 2013
Bulgaria: Economic Upturn Not Sooner Than 2015
As reported by Bulgarian daily Standart, an economist at World Bank pointed out that the country has not yet reached the economic situation of before the start of the financial crisis in 2008.
December 20, 2013
Stable Outlook for CESEE Banking Industry
According to the U.S. rating agency fitch, the sector outlook remains stable in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the well-known risks and weaknesses will persist.
December 19, 2013
CESEE: Potential to Return to Pre-Crisis Growth
According to a report published by the business adviser McKinsey, countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are fundamentally strong.
December 18, 2013
Bulgaria: Majority of Citizens Call for Early Elections
According to a poll, 80 percent of Bulgarians demand early elections.
December 17, 2013
VIG: Sale of Bulgarian Affiliate Failed
Vienna Insurance Group has to find a new buyer for the Bulgarian pension fund Doverie. United Capital, the potential buyer of Doverie has lost its bank license.
December 16, 2013
Bulgaria: S&P Downgrade Criticized Sharply
Bulgarian Minister of Economy Dragomir Stynev does not agree with S&P´s view on Bulgaria´s creditworthiness.
December 16, 2013
Austrian GDP per Capita Second-Highest in EU
In terms of GDP per capita, Austria is the second-richest EU country.
December 12, 2013
Bulgaria: Prime Minister Stresses Positive Development
Plamen Oresharski stressed that Bulgaria has performed better than expected in 2013.
December 10, 2013