Finance | 4 March, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Gold Rush 2.0: Ultimate safe haven in face of geopolitical fragmentation
Gold continues to be a key safe-haven asset resulting in sustained upward pressure on prices.
Gold continues to be a key safe-haven asset resulting in sustained upward pressure on prices.
Only half of the CEE countries saw an increase in turnover among the top 500 companies, revealing disparities in economic performance.
While the US economy looks set for a soft landing, the eurozone continues to face many uncertainties, particularly in the industrial sector.
Despite €3 billion mobilised through the European Battery Alliance created in 2017, only 3% of the investment needed in the battery supply chain has been made.
In the first 6 months of 2024, 68,223 new companies were registered, this being the lowest value in recent semesters, including the first semester of 2019.
Nine countries experienced a higher number of insolvencies, and three countries recorded a decrease (Bulgaria, Croatia and Latvia).
Construction and real estate sectors are among the most cyclical sectors. Sensitive to changes in the labour market, prices and the interest rate, they are currently under strain.
Romania faces an economic maturity test, with the key question being whether it can transform current vulnerabilities into reforms and progress.
Vlasceanu & Partners has advised Econergy on a €40.5 million project financing from UniCredit Bank for the development of an 87 MW photovoltaic project in Oradea, Romania.
Nova Power & Gas, part of the E-INFRA group, has announced the commercial operation of Romania's largest battery energy storage facility, with a capacity of 200 MW and 400 MWh, located in Florești, Cluj County.
Romanian farmers will gain access to additional financing through a €25 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Agricover Credit IFN. The non-bank financial institution will channel the funds to micro agricultural businesses seeking to improve productivity and environmental sustainability.
Oil major OMV Petrom has started preparations for exploration drilling in Bulgaria's Han Asparuh offshore block, which is operated together with NewMed Energy.