Clare Nuttall in Almaty Fri, 12th Mar -- There is a window of opportunity to diversify Kazakhstan's economy as the crisis ebbs and before commodity prices shoot up again, the EBRD's country director for Kazakhstan tells bne, and the bank plans to invest up to $1bn to support the government's development plans.
Bogdan Turek in Warsaw Fri, 12th Mar -- Poland is revelling in the interest being shown by construction companies from outside the EU to build its highways at prices cheaper than those offered by EU or even domestic companies - a development that's likely to lead to a major shake-up of the Polish construction industry.
Ben Aris in Moscow Thu, 11th Mar -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appeared on telly at the start of March to call on Russians to buy a Russian-made car as the Kremlin's rescue plan for the beleaguered sector moves into high gear.
Bogdan Turek in Warsaw Fri, 12th Mar --
Poland is revelling in the interest being shown by construction companies from outside the EU to build its highways at prices cheaper than those offered by EU or even domestic companies - a development that's likely to lead to a major shake-up of the Polish construction industry.
Ben Aris in Moscow Thu, 11th Mar --
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appeared on telly at the start of March to call on Russians to buy a Russian-made car as the Kremlin's rescue plan for the beleaguered sector moves into high gear.
Nicholas Watson in Prague Wed, 10th Mar --
Reports in March that 10 bidders are interested in buying a 21% stake in Turkish lender Garanti Bank confirms the huge interest that foreign investors have in the country's banking industry. And a look at the sector's latest financial results shows just why.
Clare Nuttall in Almaty Tue, 9th Mar --
As one of only two European countries to actually grow in 2009, Albania's government regards now as a good time to issue its first-ever international bond. To maintain that strong growth, though, analysts warn Tirana needs to step up the reform process.
Clare Nuttall in Almaty Mon, 8th Mar --
The planned construction of a new power line connecting Kazakhstan to Tajikistan will allow Central Asia's common energy system to be reactivated. But plans to attract investment into new hydroelectric power plants are being held back by their political sensitivity.
Matthew Day in Warsaw Wed, 10th Mar --
Large parts of CEE appear to be sitting on one of the world's largest deposits of shale gas, and this has got the energy world excited. To quote one executive attending the "III CE Gas Summit 2010" in Warsaw in February: "It is a bit like discovering there's life on Mars."
Clare Nuttall in Almaty Fri, 12th Mar --
There is a window of opportunity to diversify Kazakhstan's economy as the crisis ebbs and before commodity prices shoot up again, the EBRD's country director for Kazakhstan tells bne, and the bank plans to invest up to $1bn to support the government's development plans.
Samantha Shields in Tbilisi Tue, 9th Mar --
Tbilisi's mayor, Gigi Ugulava, is hoping a scheme to provide loans for property development will help preserve the city's elegant yet crumbling historic centre and breathe life into a local economy whose construction sector was badly hit by the global economic crisis.
Guy Norton in London Mon, 8th Mar --
Veteran Russian fund management group Pharos Financial and Dubai-based agribusiness specialist Miro Asset Management have teamed up to launch the Pharos Miro Agriculture Fund to tap into the evolving agricultural investment theme.
Graham Stack in Kyiv Thu, 4th Mar --
Ukraine and agriculture should be a no-brainer, given the country's large swathes of famously fertile soil and its close proximity to Europe. The problem is the institutions. The financial results published March 1 from London-listed Landkom reveal just how hostile an environment Ukraine can be for the unwary.
Bogdan Preda in Bucharest Thu, 11th Mar --
It all looks pretty positive in comparison to Greece: Romania got another two instalments totalling €2.3bn from the IMF at the end of February, pushing the central bank's reserves to an all-time high of almost €30bn. But IMF cash won't be the miracle cure to pull the country out of the crisis.
Iana Dreyer of the European Centre for International Political Economy Wed, 3rd Mar --
There is a clear link between most CEE gas markets still being monopolies and Europe's vulnerability to decisions by Gazprom to turn off the gas tap. A few antitrust cases in the new member states would go a long way toward remedying this.
Gunter Deuber and Nicolaus Heinen of DB Research Fri, 26th Feb --
An enlargement of the euro area is drawing nearer. A long way ahead of all the other candidates, Estonia has a good chance of becoming the 17th country to join the Eurozone. The question is only whether it can already do so in 2011.
bne Thu, 18th Feb --
Ahead of the European Commission's report into CEZ's alleged anti-competitive practices, Candole Partners has published a report that analyses the structure of the Czech electricity market, and in doing so dispels some myths it claims are perpetuated by the utility's supporters in politics, the media and financial circles.
bne Thu, 11th Feb --
The Kremlin has launched a charm offensive to counter the Russia-bashing that has dominated the international coverage of Russia since Vladimir Putin took power in 2000.
Southeast Europe daily