BOFIT Weekly

Every Friday, we distribute by email a brief compilation of leading economic news items in Russia and in China.
 

 

 
TAB WEBPART
 

 2012

 
10.2.2012​ BOFIT Weekly 6/2012 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • CBR reorganises banking supervision to improve effectiveness.
  • Financial sector’s tight liquidity situation persists.
  • Last week’s CBR board meeting finds no reasons to adjust rates. ​
China​
  • Productivity gains key to Chinese economic growth.
  • China grants licence to first foreign credit card issuer.
  • Taiwan’s China-friendly president keeps his job. ​
3.2.2012​ BOFIT Weekly 5/2012 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Agriculture sector buoyed 2011 good GDP growth.
  • Credit growth soared last year.
  • Prime minister Putin stresses the importance of private enterprise and role of state firms in policy comments.​
China​
  • Global economic conditions hurting outlook for Chinese growth.
  • Chinese authorities announce new stimulus packages.
  • China’s restrictions on exports of rare earth metals found to violate WTO rules. ​
27.1.2012​ BOFIT Weekly 4/2012 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Russia posts big current account surplus for 2011.
  • Capital exports up in 2011.
  • No change in Russia’s creditworthiness rating.​
China​
  • FDI outflows from China unchanged in 2011.
  • FDI inflows to China hit new record last year.
  • Rails move bulk of Chinese New Year celebrants.​
20.1.2012​ BOFIT Weekly 3/2012 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Inflation rate in 2011 drops to post-Soviet low.
  • Federal budget produced unexpected surplus last year.
  • Widening investigation of firms registered in tax havens. ​
China​
  • Chinese economic growth dropped below 9 % p.a. in the fourth quarter of 2011.
  • Chinese incomes continue to rise rapidly.
  • China’s foreign currency reserves fell in the fourth quarter of 2011. ​
13.1.2012​ BOFIT Weekly 2/2012 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Foreign strategic investment law continues to evolve.
  • Turkey grants Gazprom permission for construction of South Stream gas pipeline in its territorial waters. ​
China​
  • China’s leadership contemplates financial sector reforms.
  • China seeks to attract more high-tech foreign production.
  • Inflation unchanged in December.
  • China’s foreign trade surplus shrank in 2011. ​
5.1.2012       ​ BOFIT Weekly 1/2012 (PDF)​
Russia
  • Ruble weakened slightly in 2011.
  • Changes planned for state companies.
  • Russian parliament approves expansion of Moscow city limits.
China
  • China prepares for selection of new leadership duo.
  • Yuan appreciation pressures abated in late 2011.
  • Chinese stock markets hammered in 2011.
 
 

 2011

 
30.12.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 52/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • New Duma convened on December 21.
  • Changes ahead in federal and regional power-sharing.
  • Central bank adjusts rates and widens fluctuation band of ruble exchange rate.​
China​
  • High economic growth lifts China to middle-income country status.
  • Economic growth expected to slow in 2012. ​
23.12.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 51/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • WTO ministerial conference approves Russia’s accession.
  • Russia’s WTO membership positive for both the Russian and Finnish economies.
  • MICEX and RTS exchanges merge.​
China​
  • WTO membership has provided China many benefits...
  • …but WTO membership has also led to numerous squabbles.
  • China continues to relax capital controls.​
16.12.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 50/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Stock market down after public protests over Duma elections.
  • Finance sector struggles with tight liquidity.​
China​
  • China export growth continues to slow.
  • Inflation drops sharply in November.
  • Expectations of ongoing yuan appreciation begin to fade. ​
9.12.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 49/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Election results unlikely to affect Russian economic policy.
  • Changes in taxation on the way.
  • Revived Russian consumption supports Finland’s exports. ​
China​
  • Growth also slowing in service branches.
  • Soaring credit card use – and overdue credit card payments.
  • Entertainment industry facing challenges in China. ​
2.12.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 48/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • CBR braces for weaker economic conditions.
  • Russia and Belarus reach agreement on a new contract price for natural gas.
  • IEA pushes Russia on energy efficiency.​
China​
  • China relaxes its monetary stance.
  • Industrial conditions weaken substantially in November.
  • Slide in apartment prices gathered force in October.
  • Bribery a prominent feature of Chinese and Russian firms conducting international business. ​
25.11.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 47/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Prices on Russia’s stock markets now track international stock markets more closely than before.
  • Stock market reforms.
  • Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan aim at a new phase in economic cooperation.​
China​
  • Growth in China’s currency reserves slowed in the third quarter.
  • China tests effectiveness of different environmental policy approaches.
  • Boom in Finnish raw material exports to China.​
18.11.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 46/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russia one step closer to WTO membership.
  • Diversity in economic performance and 2012 forecasts.
  • Banking sector liquidity expected to improve by year’s end. ​
China​
  • Economic slowdown yet to be reflected in a drop-off in metal imports to China.
  • IMF points to vulnerabilities of China’s financial sector from inefficiency and risk exposure. ​
11.11.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 45/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russian exports weaker than forecast.
  • First gas passes through Nord Stream gas pipeline. ​
China​
  • October economic figures suggest economic growth continues to slow.
  • Yuan appreciates in real terms.
  • Chinese direct investment abroad still largely destined for Asia. ​
4.11.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 44/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Is Russia finally on the brink of WTO membership?
  • Russia ready to help finance eurozone debtors.
  • Next year’s regulated rate hikes to be postponed.​
China​
  • Income continues to climb.
  • China experiments with extending VAT to services.
  • OECD gives Chinese higher education a mixed report card.​
28.10.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 43/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Output shows fair rebound this year.
  • Bumper grain harvest for Russia.
  • Energy continues to dominate Russian exports. ​
China​
  • China has to consider its involvement in euro zone rescue.
  • Local administrations get go-ahead on bond issues.
  • Considerable shrinkage of China’s current account. ​
21.10.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 42/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russia pushes for intensified economic cooperation among CIS members.
  • Russia’s new international tax agreements seek to ban tax avoidance. ​
China​
  • Economic growth remained strong in third quarter.
  • 3Q inflation remained high as housing prices plateaued. ​
14.10.2011​ BOFIT Weekly ​41/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Current budget framework calls for sharp hikes in spending on defence and national security.
  • Consumer prices remain flat.
  • Russia and China consider deeper economic cooperation. ​
China​
  • State increases its holdings in China’s big banks.
  • US Senate approves bill aimed at punishing China for currency policy.
  • Oil and cars characterise challenges of China-Russia trade. ​
7.10.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 40/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Demand in Russia recovered starting in the second quarter.
  • Increases in public sector spending ahead affirmed.
  • New export duty scheme for crude oil and petroleum products now in force.​
China​
  • PMIs readings suggest China’s real economy weathered September in passable condition.
  • Hong Kong’s offshore yuan market hits quota ceiling, falls off cliff.
  • US Senate moves toward final vote on bill punishing China for currency manipulation.
  • Interest rates soar on grey loan market. ​
30.9.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 39/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Finance minister Alexei Kudrin resigns – bumpy times expected for Russian fiscal policy.
  • Ruble’s recent slide started in early August.​
China​
  • Rise in Chinese housing prices appears to be abating.
  • Hope for improvement in the status of foreign firms.
  • Local administration land deals ignite unrest in southern China.​
23.9.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 38/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • BOFIT forecast sees relatively strong, but slowing, economic growth ahead for Russia.
  • CBR adjusts key interest rates.​
China​
  • BOFIT forecasts gradual slowing of Chinese economic growth.
  • Oil accounts for most of China’s imports from North Africa and the Middle East.​
16.9.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 37/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Rising trend in federal budget spending will continue in coming years.
  • Fixed investment remained heavily focused on the energy sector in the first half.
  • Despite strong exports of wheat and arms to North Africa and the Middle East, the region still only has marginal economic significance for Russia.​
China​
  • Industrial production growth remained strong in August.
  • Inflation declines as expected
  • Order-books of Chinese shipyards down.
  • China links offer of financing to indebted EU members with trade policy concessions.​
9.9.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 36/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russia posts large consolidated budget surplus in the first half.
  • Oil production rises but exports decline.
  • Finnish exports to Russia up briskly in the first half.​
China​
  • Western banks reduce their holdings in Chinese banks.
  • China gains in international competitiveness ratings.
  • China’s share of Finland’s foreign trade appears to be settling.​
2.9.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 35/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • New regime for export taxes on petroleum products.
  • Lapses in banking supervision.
  • China Construction Bank announces plans to establish subsidiary in Russia.​
China​
  • Monetary screws keep turning as PBoC moves to include customer margin deposits as part of banks’ reserve requirements.
  • Chinese banks not spared from insecurity of global financial markets in recent weeks.
  • Growth in domestic demand compensates for slowdown in export orders.​
26.8.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 34/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Major uncertainties cloud Russia’s economic growth prospects.
  • Uncertainty on global markets could postpone government plans to sell shares in state-owned companies. ​
China​
  • China drafts new safety rules for nuclear power plants.
  • ASEAN countries are important trading partners for China.
  • Growth in car sales slowed substantially in the first seven months of the year. ​
19.8.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 33/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • State set to divest a majority stake in rail freight company.
  • Customers demand lower gas prices from Gazprom.
  • Gazprom lowers price of gas sold to Belarus; similar discount for Ukraine unlikely.​
China​
  • Economic turmoil in the United States and Europe add to yuan appreciation pressures.
  • World economy worries and inflation depress Chinese share prices.
  • Summer grain harvest was 126 million tons.​
12.8.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 32/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Ruble falters and share prices slump.
  • Russia continued to export capital in the first half of the year.
  • Russia increases government borrowing.​
China​
  • Inflation limiting China’s economic policy choices.
  • Growth in industrial output and retail sales in July slowed as expected.
  • China’s trade surplus ballooned in July.​
5.8.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 31/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Some progress in Russia’s WTO negotiations.
  • Passenger car production and car imports surging.
  • Decent harvest outlook.​
China​
  • Chinese economy registers slight slowdown.
  • Foreign banks with established local branches will be allowed to expand into local mutual fund products.
  • Investments in real estate markets remained brisk in the first half of the year.​
29.7.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 30/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Deposit insurance agency to pay out biggest settlement ever.
  • OECD: Russia’s innovation policy in need of a make-over.
  • New law imposes stricter limits on alcohol sales and advertising.​
China​
  • China’s high-speed rail network plagued by safety issues and alleged corruption.
  • Significant difference in wage levels across provinces and job sectors.​
22.7.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 29/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Steady first-half growth; recovery in fixed capital investment yet to occur.
  • Inflation rate showed little change in first half.
  • Russian stock market closely tracking global economic trends.
  • Sberbank expands operations into Central and Eastern Europe.​
China​
  • Tighter monetary stance reflected in lower import growth in the first half.
  • China-North Korea bilateral trade increased by nearly a third in 2010.
  • Chinese foreign travel on the rise.
15.7.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 28/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • State budget spending set to increase next three years.
  • Russia posts large current account surplus.
  • Customs inspections at the Russia-Kazakhstan border ended on July 1.​
China​
  • Economic growth remains strong in second quarter.
  • China cuts personal income tax and steepens progressive tax rates.
  • Military spending tripled in the past decade; arms im-ports decline.​
8.7.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 27/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Rosstat releases first-quarter GDP figures.
  • MICEX and RTS bourses sign merger agreement.
  • Bank Moskvy restructures.
China​
  • China continues to hike rates.
  • Strong growth in Chinese FDI outflows abroad; modest slowing in FDI inflow growth.
  • China’s Communist Party turns 90.
1.7.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 26/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Sale of state-owned enterprises moving into new phase.
  • Russia unchanged in international competitiveness ranking.
China​
  • Large debt load of local administrations adding to uncertainty and limiting flexibility in economic policy.
  • Premier Wen Jiabao’s 5-day European tour focused on promoting bilateral trade.​
23.6.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 25/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Medvedev reiterates reform goals at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
  • Decision taken on reducing social security contributions.
  • How will Russians vacation this summer?​
China​
  • Chinese stock markets continue their slide; interest rates are in rise.
  • Rules further relaxed on travel from mainland China to Taiwan.
  • China imposes tighter rules on exports of rare earth metals, prices soar.​
17.6.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 24/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Russian WTO memberships in the final stretch – again.
  • Russian firms shift gradually to internationally accounting practices.
  • IMF: Russian economic policy needs to leverage current commodity boom to shift direction.​
China​
  • China posts strong May economic figures despite tighter monetary policy.
  • Growth in household demand continues to slow; car sales down.
  • Trade surplus up in May.​
10.6.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 23/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • No consensus yet on social security contribution amounts.
  • Debate over raising the retirement age reignites.​
China​
  • China finds supervision of credit markets challenging as deregulation proceeds.
  • Summer power shortages in China hit early this year.
  • Oil and gas deposits create incentive for current bound-ary disputes in South China Sea.​
2.6.2011 BOFIT Weekly 22/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Drafting of 2020 Strategy continues – economic policies discussed.
  • CBR raises interest rates again.
  • Russia to lift ban on grain exports from start of July.​
China​
  • United States again refrains from accusing China of manipulating the yuan’s exchange rate.
  • China keeps on buying gold.
  • Construction and transport projects most afflicted by corruption.​
27.5.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 21/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Eurasian Economic Community rides to the rescue of struggling Belarus.
  • Important listing of Russian firm on Nasdaq.​
China​
  • China’s exports to Russia grow rapidly.
  • Growing importance of securities on China’s financial markets.
  • Drought continues nationally; critical rice production areas experiencing worst dry spell in over 50 years.​
20.5.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 20/2011 (PDF)​​
Russia
  • GDP grew rapidly in the first quarter.
  • Manufacturing industries fared variably during the recession.
  • Study explores rise in Russian living standards, increased income disparity and changes in consumption patterns.
China​
  • Yuan rapidly gains international acceptance.
  • Values of Chinese brands gaining in world markets.​
13.5.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 19/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • CBR stress test findings show nearly a third of banks likely to fail with recurrence of 2008 financial crisis.
  • Inflows of foreign direct investment into Russia showed modest increase in 2010. ​
China​
  • Slight slowdown in economic growth, but inflation remains high.
  • Trade surplus boomed in April.
  • The United States and China focus on market access at latest strategic and economic dialogue meeting. ​
6.5.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 18/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • CBR keeps raising rates.
  • Russia imposes ban on gasoline exports.​
China​
  • Yuan appreciation against the dollar gains steam.
  • Data for China sixth census suggest changing population structure.
  • World Bank warns of real estate market risks to the Chinese economy.​
29.4.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 17/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Insecurity characterises first-quarter economic performance.
  • Budget revenues up sharply; slight increase in spending.
  • IMF commends Russian officials for efforts to stabilise banking sector during financial crisis. ​
China​
  • Trucking firms protest rising costs.
  • European companies want easier access to China’s massive public procurements market.
  • Trade ministers of China, Japan and South Korea met to continue work on drafting an investment policy agreement. ​
21.4.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 16/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • State banks moving aggressively to gain share in the finance sector.
  • Russia and Ukraine emerge with little to show from customs union and gas supply talks.
  • Kyrgyzstan government to launch negotiations with Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan customs union. ​
China​
  • New quarterly statistical data suggest slowing economic growth.
  • As inflation accelerates, China’s central bank further tightens monetary policy.
  • Ballooning foreign currency reserves add to yuan appreciation pressures; no real yuan strengthening in the past 12 months.​
15.4.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 15/2011 (PDF)​
Russia​
  • Despite rapid import growth, Russia’s trade surplus kept expanding in first quarter.
  • Economic development ministry updates its 2011 forecast.
  • Economic development ministry downgrades its 2012–2014 forecast. ​
China​
  • IMF sees strong growth for China in coming years.
  • Chinese exports boomed in March.
  • Economic cooperation tops agenda in visit of Brazil’s president to China this week. ​
8.4.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 14/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Central bank continues with monetary tightening.
  • First results of last year’s population census published.
  • Gazprom loses market share in the European natural gas market. ​
China​
  • PBoC raises rates again in battle to tame inflation.
  • Profitability of Chinese banks continued to improve last year.
  • No change in Taiwan’s share of China's foreign trade. ​
1.4.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 13/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • BOFIT forecast sees brisk GDP growth in 2011-2013
    for Russia, despite slowing.
  • Russians travelling abroad more, including Finland.​
China​
  • BOFIT’s latest forecast sees China’s GDP growth slowing to 9 % this year.
  • China now the world’s second-largest coal importer.​
25.3.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 12/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Large differences in economic recovery in Russian regions neighbouring Finland in 2010.
  • Government approves development strategy for banking sector. ​
China​
  • China’s central bank continues monetary tightening.
  • China approves 2011 deficit budget.
  • Libya crisis should have little impact on China’s energy supply. ​
18.3.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 11/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Short-term impacts of Japan disasters on the Russian economy likely to be relatively small.
  • Large differences in regional industrial growth.
  • Despite rise in capital investment, no growth in construction activity last year. ​
China​
  • For China, the most immediate impacts of the Japanese disasters are likely to be felt in trade and tourism.
  • National People’s Congress approves 12th five-year plan.
  • 12-month inflation still below 5 % in February.
    China now the world’s biggest industrial producer.​
11.3.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 10/2011 (PDF)
Russia ​
  • Public finances improved last year.
  • Borrowing of Russian state likely to be lower than forecast this year.
  • Consumer prices up 9.5 % y-o-y in February.​​
China​
  • China posts foreign trade deficit for February.
  • Incomes rising faster in the countryside than in cities.
  • China solidifies its position as world’s biggest energy consumer.
4.3.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 9/2011 (PDF)
Russia
  • Concern over rising inflation driving central bank policy.
  • Finland’s exports to Russia up last year; re-exports not growing.​
China​
  • National People’s Congress lowers growth target.
  • Next five-year plan should clarify China’s environmental goals.
  • Strong growth in Finnish exports to China.
25.2.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 8/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russian foreign trade grew strongly last year.
  • Deputy prime minister/finance minister Kudrin demands changes in government economic policies.​
China​
  • China’s central bank further tightens monetary stance.
  • Yuan’s exchange rate dominates Paris G20 discussions.
  • Chinese stock markets stabilise in January.
  • US ban technology transfers to Chinese telecommunications specialist Huawei.​
18.2.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 7/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Banking operations recovered last year.
  • State divests a 10 % stake in VTB.
  • Russia’s machine-building industry stares into the abyss. ​
China​
  • Inflation picks up; housing’s share of consumer shopping basket increased.
  • China’s foreign trade surplus shrank to $6.5 billion in January
  • United States files complaint with WTO on China’s domestic electronic payments. ​
11.2.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 6/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Oil and gas production increased in 2010.
  • Moscow plans to accelerate divestment of municipal properties. ​
China​
  • China’s central bank increases reference rates for deposits and credits, effective Feb. 9.
  • Severest drought in 60 years puts China on course for major crop failures this year.
  • China becomes the world’s fourth biggest international patent-seeker. ​
4.2.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 5/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Economy recovered and imports soared in 2010.
  • Real wages rose and unemployment declined in 2010.
  • CBR tightens its monetary stance. ​
China​
  • China systematically raising the yuan’s international profile.
  • January PMI shows little change in outlook of Chinese manufacturers.
  • Chinese banks posted good profitability numbers throughout the financial crisis.
  • China launches property tax trial to restrain rising apartment prices. ​
28.1.2011​ BOFIT Weekly​ 4/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Rosneft and BP agree on share-swap and strategic cooperation in the Arctic.
  • Despite rapid growth, Russia’s state bureaucracy still not particularly large. ​
China​
  • China’s public sector finances only modestly touched by the global financial crisis.
  • Frank discussions of China-US economic relations at last week’s summit in Washington DC. ​
21.1.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 3/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • Russia’s decade-long reform of electricity sector largely successful.
  • High oil prices buoy the ruble.
  • Current account surplus continued to swell in 2010. ​
China​
  • Chinese GDP up 10.3 % last year.
  • On-year inflation dropped to 4.6 % in December.
  • China continues to attract FDI as its own investments abroad take off. ​
14.1.2011​ BOFIT Weekly 2/2011 (PDF)
Russia​
  • High inflation persists.
  • State finances in better shape than expected.
  • Medvedev specifies regions along Russia’s international borders where foreign land ownership will be restricted.
China​
  • China’s trade surplus down in 2010.
  • China’s currency reserves approaching $3 trillion.
  • China increases military spending.
7.1.2011  BOFIT Weekly 1/2011 (PDF)
Russia
  • Public economy reforms under preparation.
  • Russian stock exchange posts positive performance in 2010.
China
  • Yuan strengthens against US dollar in final week of 2010.
  • China increases dividend demands on state-owned enterprises.
  • 2010: An uneventful year for Chinese shares.
 

 Share this page

 
You can share the contents across other social media platforms.

share
 

 Related topics

 
 

 Related links