Bi-Weekly Report 5 – 18 May 2020
ROMANIA
A rising risk premium prompts the NBR to “wait-and-see”
The COVID-19 pandemic hits Romania at a time of limited fiscal flexibility
NORTH MACEDONIA
A sharp economic contraction, together with higher spending to contain the impact of COVID-19, should push the budget deep “into the red” in FY:20 (-6.0% of GDP)
The Central Bank cut its key rate by another 25 bps to a record low of 1.5%, amid COVID-19 concerns
ALBANIA
Higher spending to mitigate the COVID-19 shock and support post-earthquake reconstruction, together with the impact of the recession, should boost the budget deficit to 6.0% of GDP in FY:20
The Bank of Albania is set to remain cautious, in view of deteriorating external imbalances
APPENDIX: FINANCIAL MARKETS