World Bank

“We remain in contact [with the Albanian government] and Mr Blair would of course still be happy to help, as both Albania and the region mean a huge amount to him, but there is no contract,” Cirian Ward a spokesperson for Blair told Balkan Insight.

“Any help would be done at no cost to the Albanian government,” Ward added.

World Bank: Capital outflow from Russia could reach 150bn

MOSCOW -- If the crisis over Ukraine escalates capital outflow from Russia could reach USD 150 billion in 2014, the World Bank predicted under its "high-risk scenario."

This figure would be USD 85 billion under the low-risk scenario, the organization said in a new report.

Energo-Pro has become the second power distributor to sue Bulgaria at the World Bank's arbitrary court.

The Czech company has announced that it has lodged a claim with the International Center of Settlement of Investment Disputes, which could be launched in case of failed arbitration, Energo-Pro's sources have informed Bulgarian newspaper Trud.

Bulgaria ranks 47th among 160 countries in the World Bank's Logistics Performance report for 2014, compared to a better 36th position in 2012.

World Bank official: Serbia has 9 months for reforms

BELGRADE -- Serbia has nine months to conduct reforms, World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Tony Verheijen has said.

BELGRADE - Serbia has 9 months to conduct reforms, World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Tony Verheijen has said, adding that it is very important to protect political credibility.

Ukrainian global outsourcing product and application development company SoftServe announced the opening of a software development center in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The center will augment various software development engagements to support the company's vertical strategy.

Gas prices for industrial consumers in Romania will rise by a thumping 24 per cent as of next month, with a sharp impact likely on industry and jobs, experts say.

The move is part of a deregulation schedule agreed with international lenders including the International Monetary Fund, IMF and the World Bank.

The European Commission and the World Bank will provide EUR 1B to boost female entrepreneurship, Bulgaria's MEP Antoniya Parvanova announced.

The Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) has proposed the establishment of an energy board for the financial stabilization and restructuring of the energy sector.

Meglena Rusenova, BPVA Chair, explained Monday that the proposal had been triggered by the processes taking place in the energy sector over the past few days.