Weekly Report 29 March – 4 April 2016

Headline inflation eases to a 7-month low of 7.5% y-o-y in March from 8.8% in February, mainly due to a sharp correction in food prices

Economic growth accelerates to 4.0% in FY:15 from 3.0% in FY:14, despite strong domestic and global headwinds

Fiscal performance deteriorates in 2M:16, with the 12-month rolling budget deficit widening to 1.7% of GDP

Fiscal performance improves in 2M:16, with the 12-month rolling budget deficit narrowing to 1.7% of GDP in February

A successful double-tranche issue on the Eurobond market signals investor confidence in the Bulgarian economy

Fiscal performance improves slightly in 2M:16, with the 12-month rolling budget deficit narrowing to 3.6% of GDP in February

Current account deficit widens to 1.5% of GDP in January, on a 12- month rolling basis

The unemployment rate reaches a record low in 2015

Albania’s electricity generation reaches high levels in 2015, as a result of heavy rainfall

Implementation of the long-delayed electricity sector reform brings about impressive results in 2015

Current account deficit narrows significantly by 0.9 pps y-o-y to a 12- year low of 3.6% in FY:15

Current account deficit widens sharply in the first half of the fiscal year (July-December 2015), mainly due to a sharp decline in cash and commodity grants from Gulf countries