On 11−12 February, the All Belarusian People’s Assembly (ABPA) met in Minsk. By staging the event, the authorities’ responded to the political crisis in the country — regular mass protests in the aftermath of the August 2020 Presidential election. The ABPA is seen as an instrument for resolving the political differences that emerged from the …

Key Takeaways of the 6th Belarusian People’s Assembly for International Investors Read More »

On 2 February 2021, the Polish Ministry of Finance published a draft bill introducing a controversial new advertising tax on both conventional and online advertising revenues.  Following the pre-consultation period, which closed on February 16, the Bill will be open for public consultation, after which the Government is aiming to ratify it quickly in Parliament …

New Advertising Tax Sparks Major Protests From Polish Media Players Read More »

In late December 2020, Ukraine’s ruling party attempted to bring to an end the long-running saga surrounding the collection of copyright fees from manufacturers/importers of electronic devices able to reproduce copyright-protected content. The issue has been paralysed due to a stand-off between the Collective Management Organizations responsible for collecting these fees and the impacted business …

Ukraine Looks to Break Impasse Over Collection of Copyright Fees Read More »

On 10 January 2021, Kazakhstan held elections to its lower house of parliament (Majilis) and regional parliaments (Maslikhats). The Majilis elections are part of an ongoing transition of power in Kazakhstan which was activated following the resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev in March 2019 (Nazarbayev turns 80 in 2021). Other elements included the 2019 presidential elections (won by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the politician hand-picked by Nursultan Nazarbayev as his …

Parliamentary Elections, Government Reshuffles and Protectionism in Kazakhstan Read More »

On 10 January, Kyrgyzstan held early presidential elections in conjunction with a referendum on the form of governance (transferring from the parliamentary to the presidential model). The controversial elections followed on from October’s much-criticised parliamentary elections and amidst ongoing political turmoil that has reigned ever since. The official vote count gave Sadyr Japarov an overwhelming …

Presidential Elections & Power Structure Changes in Kyrgyzstan Read More »

In December 2020, Ukraine unveiled a range of new incentives for major investors, as it looks to accelerate the economic recovery from the pandemic. The Verkhovna Rada passed a law on “Government Support for Major Investment in Ukraine” which applies to both Ukrainian and foreign companies that are 100% owners of an established, resident legal …

Ukrainian Government New Approach to Working with Major Investors Read More »

On Sunday, Romanian voters went to the polls to elect members of the country’s two-chamber Parliament: the Senate (upper house) and the Chamber of Deputies (lower house). While the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) received the largest share of the vote, the ruling National Liberal Party (PNL) looks set to stay in power and form …

Romania: Analysis & Policy Implications of the Parliamentary Elections Read More »

On November 15, Moldova concluded only its fourth direct presidential elections since independence, in which the new President was elected from multiple candidates via a two-round system. Maia Sandu, a former World Bank economist and the Prime Minister of a short-lived 2019 coalition government between pro-EU and pro-Russian political parties, defeated incumbent President Igor Dodon …

Presidential Elections in Moldova Read More »

For the first time during his presidency, on 9 November 2020, Vladimir Putin dismissed four members of Mikhail Mishustin’s Cabinet: Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy, Yevgeny Ditrikh, Minister of Transport, Vladimir Yakushev, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities, and Dmitry Kobylkin, Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment. Igor Artemiev, who has headed the Federal …

Russian Government Reshuffle Read More »

In early October, the Russian Government approved a number of Resolutions required for launching a new investment tool – Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (‘IPPAs’ or ‘the Agreements’). The documents were adopted pursuant to the IPPA Law enacted on 1 April 2020. The Law has not so far been enforced because no approved agreement signing …

New Investment Policy Approaches in Russia Read More »