Resources
Central & eastern Europe
Future EU membership prospects are bringing south-east Europe steadily into the EU orbit. - -
Content
Doubts about Russia cloud overall outlook
EU expansion, oil price rises and the break-up of Russia’s Yukos oil group dominate the outlook.
Economy overview: Slowdown in growth expected
But region will remain one of the world’s most buoyant.
Energy: Waiting for gas market liberalisation
Isabel Gorst on a move that will bring a wave of new capital to Russia’s markets.
Supermarkets & chain stores: Retail landscape ready to change at a frenetic pace
Christopher Condon and Theodor Troev look at the scramble for prime locations and market share in Bulgaria and Romania.
McDonald’s: Difference that Russians enjoy
Amid the grey apartment blocks of Solntsevo, a southern suburb of Moscow, stands something unique in McDonald’s entire global system of company owned and franchised restaurants: a McDonald’s owned factory producing its own burgers and buns.
Tourism: Croatia declares itself a nonhamburgerised zone
Jeff Mills looks at the country’s attractions.
Slovenia’s Lake Bled: Torch bearers for the game of golf
Christopher Condon on the attractions of Bled.
Telecommunications: Braced for change as the mobile revolution gathers pace
Serbia and Montenegro are expecting a hectic period of restructuring and modernisation that will put them back in line with the rest of the region.
Ukrainian politics: Investors remain cautious
Tom Warner on the deflation of expectations in Kiev.
Portfolio investment: Strong growth boosts region
But central and eastern Europe still remains highly diverse and fragmented, says Paivi Munter.
