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​GULF WEEKLY: Aramco sells pipelines, US-UAE arms deal approved, Kuwaiti former PM detained
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 16 Apr 2021 · 1 response

A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The IMF sees the fiscal breakevens improving relative to 2019 in all bar Kuwait and Bahrain. * It forecasts a surprisingly wide range of oil and non-oil recoveries across the region. * Israeli sabotage overshadowed US-Ira...

The STF confirmed Minister Fachin's decision and annulled the convictions against former President Lula
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 16 Apr 2021

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) confirmed Minister Edson Fachin’s decision and annulled the convictions against former President Lula, maintaining his eligibility. Lula should remain eligible unless he is convicted in another case before the deadline for the election’s candidate registration on A...

Weak retail sales & construction data in February
HUNGARY · In Brief · 16 Apr 2021

Retail sales fell by a rather weak 5.2% yoy in February, following -2% yoy in the previous month. To a great extent, this was a lockdown / 3rd wave impact, i.e. greatly Covid-related. Even though the government tightened Covid restrictions only from March 8, the 3rd wave of the epidemic was steep...

Impact assessment of US sanctions on Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Apr 2021

On April 15 the US announced a new raft of sanctions. Biden also suggested meeting Putin in person. Moscow is spinning the suggestion as a win for them. The US said sanctions were due to malevolent cyberactivity, corruption, the poisoning of Navalny with a chemical weapon and the broader attack o...

Poland declares 3 Russian diplomats PNG and UK summons ambassador
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Apr 2021

On April 15 the Poles expelled Russian diplomats on the basis that they have committed hostile acts against Poland. Warsaw also declared its solidarity with the USA.In the United Kingdom the Russian Ambassador was summoned to be dressed down over alleged malign activity.

Russia claims much more of the Arctic
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Apr 2021

On March 31 Russia put a claim to the UN that more areas of the continental shelf belong to Russia. This includes the Gakkel Ridge, the Lomonosov Ridge and the Canadian Basin. Russia's claims now encroach on areas long claimed by Canada and Denmark.The US estimates that 13% of the world's undisco...

Russian economy: More sanctions, more resilience
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · Report · 15 Apr 2021

It appears almost certain that, after the US administration sanctioned the OFZ market, more sanctions will be imposed later this year, and in the years to come, as both sides, i. e., the West and Russia, will be keen to continue playing the same game for years, and even longer. Therefore, mountin...

Azerbaijan seeks to use wind power
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 15 Apr 2021

On April 14 Baku signed a MOU with the International Finance Corporation. The IFC will help to fund offshore wind farms in Azerbaijan. The World Bank is also involved.It is estimated that Azerbaijan has a maximum potential of 157 GW for fixed bottom wind capture and 122 GW for floating wind capture.

​Industrial production to grow fast this year
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 15 Apr 2021

Rosstat reported that even though the mining segment remained under pressure due to the OPEC+ deal and in 1Q21 contracted by 7.3% y-o-y, in March contraction was not so deep as the extraction of gas, coal, and metal ores were up y-o-y. Starting from May, y-o-y growth in the mining segment will tu...

Prime rate goes up to 7.5%, the NBU signals preference to keep this level till 2022
UKRAINE · In Brief · 15 Apr 2021

As expected, the NBU Board increased the prime rate by 1.0 ppt up to 7.5% amid a substantial inflation speed up to 8.5% y/y in March. The NBU revised its inflation forecast up to 8% for 2021 from 7%, estimated previously. Also the Bank worsened GDP forecast down to +3.8% from +4.2%, estimated pre...

US sanctions on Russia and 10 diplomats expelled
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 15 Apr 2021

On April 15 Washington announced additional sanctions and said these were hitting back for meddling in elections and for a huge cyberattack. US banks face extra restrictions on trading in Russian sovereign debt. 32 individuals who allegedly interfered in the 2020 elections are now subject to sanc...

OFZ market is sanctioned by the US, albeit moderately
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 15 Apr 2021

Today, US President Mr. Biden signed an executive order, which imposes new sanctions against Russia. According to the document US financial institutions from “participation in the primary market for ruble or non-ruble denominated bonds issued after June 14, 2021” by Minfin, CBR, or National Wealt...

Government in the minority on the Senate Covid CPI committee
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 15 Apr 2021

The members of the Senate’s Covid CPI have been nominated, and the government is in the minority on this committee. The government is now looking to prevent the opposition from obtaining one of the CPI’s key positions: president and rapporteur. The Budgetary Guidelines Law (LDO) should be submitt...

The Huarong default and China’s macroeconomy
CHINA ADVISORY · Report · 15 Apr 2021

China’s State Council Tuesday issued a decree ordering a “deepening” of reform of the budget management system. The key point is an order to reduce financial risk and increase transparency of local government finance. This order follows the recent cancellation of the Ant Group IPO and stricter re...

MPC stays on hold, but turns visibly more dovish, as expected
TURKEY · Report · 15 Apr 2021

At today’s regular rate-setting meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBRT, under the new Governor and two new MPC members, left the policy rate unchanged at 19% (simple; see chart), but modified the language in a markedly more dovish direction.

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