Economic Development
Business: Czech firm wins tender for Albanian power distributor
03/10/2008
CEZ, a Czech utility, won a 102m-euro tender for privatisation of an Albanian power distributor. Also in business news: Germany's Media Markt opens a new consumer electronics store in Greece, and the European Commission will build a solar plant in northern Cyprus.
Regulation provides loophole for fuel smugglers in Kosovo
03/10/2008
A Serbian regulation allowing duty-free export of goods -- including fuel -- to Kosovo for Kosovo Serbs has become a loophole for smugglers.
PACE urges Greek Cypriots to withdraw objections to trade with Turkish Cypriots
02/10/2008
STRASBOURG, France -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved a report and a related resolution Wednesday (October 1st) u...
World Bank approves $1.8 billion to boost Croatia's EU bid
02/10/2008
WASHINGTON, United States -- The World Bank has approved a new four-year lending programme worth $1.8 billion to support Croatia's EU accession proce...
Greek Cypriots offer to open ports, airports to Turkish Cypriots
01/10/2008
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- President Demetris Christofias said on Tuesday (September 30th) he is ready to open Greek Cypriot ports and airports to commercial...
EU approves state aid to compensate farmers in Cyprus
01/10/2008
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The EU on Tuesday (September 30th) green-lighted the Cypriot government's plan to compensate local farmers for losses caused by...
Italy's Fiat to invest in Serbian auto plant
30/09/2008
Italian carmaker Fiat signed a deal Monday to invest in the Zastava auto plant, which observers expect to be a turning point for the country's economy.
Money-losing BiH oil industry dependent on foreign firms
29/09/2008
Recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina's oil industry underscore the country's continuing dependence on foreign producers with agendas of their own.
Business: Telekom Slovenija to bid for BH Telecom
26/09/2008
Telekom Slovenija is ready to bid for BiH's BH Telecom. Also in business news: a Turkish firm and Macedonia signed a concession agreement on Macedonian airports, and Croatian unemployment falls to 12.3%.
President criticises Romania's failure to absorb EU funds, fight corruption
25/09/2008
BUCHAREST, Romania -- President Traian Basescu on Wednesday (September 24th) criticised the government for the poor absorption of EU funds allocated...
Kosovo to join World Bank, IMF next year
25/09/2008
PRISTINA, Kosovo -- Newly independent Kosovo will become a member of the World Bank and the IMF in 2009, Shiego Katsu, the Bank's regional vice presi...
Bulgaria slips in corruption ranking, says watchdog
24/09/2008
Bulgaria is perceived as the most corrupt country among 31 EU and Western European nations, according to Transparency International.
EU grants 245m euros in aid to Albania
24/09/2008
TIRANA, Albania -- The European Commission (EC) office in Tirana announced a grant of 245m euros to support Albania's EU accession bid over the cours...
Serbia to respect energy deal with Russia
23/09/2008
The Serbian government assured a visiting Russian delegation on Monday that Belgrade will honour the oil and gas commitments the country has made with Moscow.
EU okays Greek plan to privatise Olympic Airlines
18/09/2008
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission on Wednesday (September 17th) approved a plan to privatise Greece's national air carrier, Olympic Airlin...
