Economic Growth
Hungary: Positive Outlook, Negative Frame Conditions
In the short term, Hungary´s economy will accelerate. However, it is still uncertain whether the country achieves a sustainable return to growth.
December 21, 2013
CESEE: Dependence on Foreign Demand Remains Main Obstacle
In 2014, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) faces a slight upward trend. The structural difficulties persist, however.
December 21, 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
Slovenia: Budget Shortfall Greater than Expected
As per the end of November the country’s budget deficit amounted to almost € 1.62bn, according to the latest estimates by the Finance Ministry.
December 20, 2013
Czech Republic: Economic Sentiment Rises
As published by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), the Czech economic sentiment indicator rose by one point to 5.5 points compared to November.
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
Slovenia: Growth Forecast Cut Again
The World Bank predicts a longer recession in Slovenia. The Slovenian economy will not leave the recession behind before 2015.
December 19, 2013
Wifo: Sluggish Growth Because of Weak Consumption
According to Wifo’s (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) prognosis for the coming years, economic upturn in Austria will remain flat because of weak consumption.
December 19, 2013
World Bank Increases Economic Growth Forecast for Poland
The World Bank has increased economic growth in 2013 from 1.0 percent to 1.5 percent.
December 19, 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
Hungary: Slower Monetary Cuts
After another base rate cut, the next monetary steps will take more time.
December 18, 2013
Macedonian Banks Should Support Private Sector
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Stavreski calls upon Macedonian banks to support the private sector.
December 18, 2013
Serbia: National Bank Cuts Key Policy Rate
The NBS decided to cut key interest rate by half a percentage point as inflation remains on the lower target tolerance band.
December 18, 2013
Serbia: EU Accession Talks in January Fixed
Prime Minister Dacic considers results as “historic event” for Serbia.
December 18, 2013
Czech Republic: Rusnok to become CNB Board Member
Outgoing Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will be appointed new board member of the Czech National Bank (CNB) by President Milos Zeman.
December 18, 2013
CESEE: More Robust than in 2008
The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to reduce its easing policy gradually. For emerging markets, the end of the loose monetary policy may prove challenging.
December 17, 2013
Czech Republic: Lowest Increase in Public Debts in 17 Years
According to the government’s Funding and Debt Management Strategy, public debt should exceed CZK 2,000bn by the end of 2016.
December 17, 2013
Bulgaria: Majority of Citizens Call for Early Elections
According to a poll, 80 percent of Bulgarians demand early elections.
December 17, 2013
Austria: Opening Balance Reveals Massive Mountain of Debt
Public debts exceed the federal assets by more than double the amount, as revealed by the opening balance published by outgoing Finance Minister Maria Fekter last weekend.
December 16, 2013
Poland: Budget Bill Approved by Lower House
On Friday, the Polish lower house Sejm approved next year’s budget bill which schedules the budget deficit of PLN 47.6bn not to be exceeded.
December 16, 2013
Romania: Significant Decline in FDI
On an annual basis, FDI decreased by more than eight percent.
December 16, 2013
Romania´s GDP Growth to Slow Down
In 2014, Romania is expected to grow moderately. Compared to 2013, growth will decelerate. The recovery mainly depends on exports.
December 16, 2013
MNB Replaces Hungarian Banking Industry
In order to push economic growth rates, Hungary´s National Bank continues to support the subsidized loan program. The support should help to boost the construction of real estate.
December 14, 2013
Emerging Markets Face Decrease in Risk Appetite
Foreign investors become more and more cautious about investing in emerging markets. Regions like Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are highly dependent on foreign sentiments.
December 14, 2013
Poland: Budget Deficit Expected to Fall
In view of the accelerating economy, Poland´s fiscal shortfall will be smaller than initially projected, the rating agency Fitch states.
December 13, 2013
Leitl: No Alternative to Budget Consolidation
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), regards the coalition agreement between the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) acceptable.
December 13, 2013
Croatia: Major Investments to Boost Economic Growth
The Croatian government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.
December 13, 2013
Poland: Growth May be Higher than Projected
Poland´s new Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek thinks that the growth estimations for 2014 may be too cautious.
December 12, 2013
Hungary: Stable Outlook Yet Still Junk Status
In spite of Matolcsy, governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demanding a better rating for the country’s credibility, the major rating agencies have not raised them.
December 12, 2013
Czech Republic: Banking Sector Proves Stable
According to the latest results of the bank stress test by the Czech National Bank (CNB), the domestic financial institutes remain resistant to a potential negative development.
December 12, 2013
Ten Capital Market Themes for 2014 by Raiffeisenbank
Leading indicators show a recovery of global growth.
December 11, 2013
OeNB Calls on Austrian Banks to Strengthen Their Capital Base Further
Presentation of the Financial Stability Report 26 of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).
December 11, 2013
Croatia: EU Introduces Excessive Deficit Procedure
In the last years, Croatia´s fiscal situation has deteriorated considerably. Not only the budget deficit remains above 3.0% of GDP, but also the public debt quota has climbed above 60% of GDP.
December 11, 2013
Poland: Unemployment Grows Further
In November, the unemployment rate came at 13.2%. The labor market has the worst behind, the government says.
December 11, 2013
Serbia: World Bank Attaches Loan to New Laws
The World Bank has attached the loan in the amount of US-$ 250m (€ 183m) for Serbia to the implementation of three important laws within this year still.
December 10, 2013
Slovenia Still Wants to Solve Problems on Its Own
According to head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the highly indebted country intends to get a grip on the problems of its banking sector.
December 10, 2013
Poland: Interest Rate to Remain at Record Low
In the first half of 2014, the National Bank of Poland (NBP) will not alter the reference rate, economists say.
December 10, 2013
Czech Republic: Industrial Output Slowed Down
In October, the industrial performance in the Czech Republic only grew by 3.5 percent on a year-on-year comparison basis.
December 9, 2013
Wifo: Austrian Economic Growth Still Sluggish
Seasonally adjusted and corrected for working day effects, GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter. The upturn becomes evident only in a very moderate pace.
December 9, 2013
Slovakia: Economy Accelerates Slightly
In the third quarter of 2013, the Slovak GDP year-on-year growth was up to 0.9%, according to the Slovak Statistical Office.
December 8, 2013
Austria: Slight Increase in Exports
In spite of a continuing difficult international environment domestic exports increased by 0.7 percent. According to Economy Minister Mitterlehner the Austrian exports are on a record high.
December 6, 2013
Austria: Nowotny Warns of Choking off Economic Growth
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has slightly decreased this year’s economic growth from 0.5 percent to 0.4 percent. However, the recession of the past two years is over, the bank claims.
December 6, 2013
Economic Recovery in CESEE Supported by Exports
According to the GDP data for some Central and South Eastern European countries published today, economic recovery was backed by a strong increase in export activity.
December 5, 2013
Belka: Recovery Will Be Longer
According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), the country’s economy sees a continuing and persistent recovery.
December 5, 2013
Moody's: ECB Rate Cut Does Little for Economic Growth
ECB rate cut to a record low 0.25% will likely do little to support economic growth, according to Moody's Analytics.
December 5, 2013
ECB: Debates about Further Measures in Monetary Policy
Today the 23 member of the European Central Bank’s Council have initiated debates about the the stance of monetary policy. The base rate, lowered to 0.25 percent last month, is expected to remain unchanged.
December 5, 2013
Czech Republic Remains in Recession
The Czech economy continues to shrink. Above all, private consumption and investments are weak.
December 5, 2013
Poland: Benchmark Rate Remains Unchanged
The Polish National Bank (NBP) holds the reference rate at its record low of 2.5%.
December 4, 2013
Bank of Albania Presses for Agreement with IMF
The Albanian economy from short-term adjustment toward long-term sustainable growth. Why Albania needs an agreement with the IMF.
December 4, 2013
