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COUNTRY INSIGHTS

Introspection at the end of 2020
COLOMBIA · Report · 23 Dec 2020

Balance of payments data show that the current account deficit continued to shrink, from a 3.6% of GDP deficit at the start of 2020, to 3% in Q2, then 2.7% in Q3. While this reduces the economy’s exposure to financing gaps, the reduction deserves a closer look. The improvement in remittances and ...

MPC Preview: The good, the bad…and the minimalist
TURKEY · Report · 23 Dec 2020

The CBRT/MPC will hold arguably the most crucial rate-setting meeting of recent times tomorrow (December 24). Various polls point to a consensus of around 150 bps hike of the policy rate (median), with estimates ranging between 75-200 bps. What do we expect? The title above sums up the three poss...

Mysterious non-residents: the hryvnia weakens signaling eased demand for local state bonds
UKRAINE · In Brief · 23 Dec 2020

On Dec 22nd MinFin managed to raise UAH 18.3 billion and $138.5 million locally. That’s an apparent success even though the issuance less than a week ago on Dec 15th was twice as large. The lion's share of the issue, UAH 13.8 billion as well as $138.5 million, has less than a one-year maturity. S...

​Israel goes to the polls for the fourth time in two years​
ISRAEL · In Brief · 23 Dec 2020

Israel goes to the polls for the fourth time in two yearsThe Israeli Parliament will disperse, and elections are expected on March 23rd. This is the fourth time in two years, a sign of political instability. Nevertheless, we do not think this is necessarily a negative development this time around...

Russia launches new Arctic ship
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 22 Dec 2020

On December 18 a ship named North Pole made its maiden voyage from St Petersburg. The 83 meter ship is to explore the Arctic. The North Pole is to be a permanent research ship.The ship will study the geology and oceanography of the North Pole. The ship is run by the state meteorology service. The...

COSTA RICA: Edging toward an IMF deal
CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 22 Dec 2020

Costa Rica is now closer to a serious and formal fiscal adjustment process. We have been skeptical in our previous reports about the willingness, the scale and the timing of the required adjustment, although always keeping hope for an agreement with the IMF in Q1 2021. At last, President Carlos A...

One problem solved, on to the next
ECUADOR · In Brief · 22 Dec 2020

As anticipated, the Board of Directors of the IMF approved the second disbursement for Ecuador for $2.0b. This disbursement will be used mainly to catch up with arrears with local governments, public servants, and private sector suppliers, as announced by Minister Mauricio Pozo.On the other hand,...

US sanctions 45 Russian entities
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 22 Dec 2020

On December 21 the Department of Commerce imposed sanctions on Russian and Chinese entities. Most of these are companies. The Russian companies are not allowed access to particular kinds of technology. The list of companies that manufacture aircraft, rocketry and nuclear energy is much longer tha...

Chinese lawsuit against Ukraine
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 22 Dec 2020

On December 17 investors from China launched a legal action against the Ukrainian Government. They brought a USD 3.5 billion arbitration case. Kyiv refused to allow the aviation engine manufacturer Motor Sich to be sold to the Chinese. The US lobbied hard for Kyiv to do this.Skyrizon is the organ...

Russia bans flights from UK for a week
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Dec 2020

On December 21 Russia took a snap decision to ban all flights to and from the United Kingdom. The ban takes effect at midnight on December 22 and will last until December 29.Many countries have prohibited flights from the United Kingdom owing to the new and more virulent strain of coronavirus tha...

Politics: US-Mexico security cooperation in doubt
MEXICO · Report · 21 Dec 2020

Last week, the Mexican Congress amended the country’s National Security Law to regulate the presence and operations of foreign agents within Mexico. Everything indicates that the regulatory changes are directly aimed at US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents operating in the country. The changes...

Economics: Risk sources expand as the year ends
MEXICO · Report · 21 Dec 2020 · 1 response

In this, our last issue for a year in which Mexico’s economy will experience its greatest contraction in 90 years, we take a quick look at the direction of the most recent economic indicators, assess sources of heightened risk moving forward, and offer our outlook for the coming year. There have...

Inflation remains low, rental prices moderate
ISRAEL · Report · 21 Dec 2020

Inflation is expected to reach 0.4% in the NTM on higher commodity and housing prices, while the shekel continues to appreciate. The current account surplus improved sharply in Q320 on strong export growth. Residential starts and completions remain below demand, supportive of higher prices in 202...

Russia's economic situation in November remains stable
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 21 Dec 2020

Rosstat reported that trends in the key sectors, such as retail sales, construction, transport, industry, agriculture remained relatively unchanged in November. GKEM Analytica mentioned earlier that industrial output was catching up with pre-pandemic levels, and in 11M20, it was down by a mere 3....

Russia send soldiers to Central African Republic
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Dec 2020

On December 21 Russia dispatched troops to the Central African Republic (CAR). The reason is ostensibly to forestall a putsch planned for the upcoming weekend. Rwandan troops joined the Russian mission.The CAR accused the erstwhile president Francois Bozize of planning a forcible seizure of power...

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