Economics

Major players in the construction industry have cautioned about a bubble risk on the real estate market and in the construction sector in eastern Bulgaria in the next few years.

Bubble fears are explained with the fact that the demand for vacation properties, mostly by Russian-speaking citizens, is concentrated there, according to reports of investor.bg.

 Angel Gurria speaks to Kathimerini about the Greek economy and foresees growth of up to 20 pct of GDP over the next 5-20 years

By Eleni Varvitsiotis

David Goodman & Nikos Chrysoloras

Greece’s planned bond-market return, heralded by lawmakers as evidence of renewed confidence in the nation, will also highlight the progress that’s needed before its rehabilitation is complete.

By Sharon Smyth

Greece is preparing a property portfolio valued at as much as 500 million euros ($689 million) to offer to investors by the end of this year, according to the head of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund.

Nikos Chrysoloras & Christos Ziotis

Greek lenders’ success last month in raising funds from foreign investors shows the government can reach its goal of returning to bond markets, said George Provopoulos, the country’s central-bank chief.

Revived appetite for emerging markets helped Asian stocks hit a near six-month high on Wednesday, leaving Europe and other developed markets - where future stimulus looks increasingly uncertain - trailing.

By John Geddie

Greece's imminent return to bond markets just two years after a massive debt restructuring, expected as early as Wednesday, lifted investor appetite for riskier credits which has stalled over the last couple of days.

Lucy Meakin & David Goodman

Europe’s worsening growth prospects are losing significance for bond investors as bets the European Central Bank will begin asset-purchase stimulus measures boost demand for the region’s higher-yielding bonds.

By Alex Chambers & Lefteris Papadimas

Bailed-out Greece is set to end its four-year exile from bond markets on Thursday with a five-year issue, three sources said on Wednesday.

Germany's trade surplus was below expectations in February compared to the previous month, the country's statistics unit revealed.

Data quoted by WBP Online has shown that exports were down 1.3% in that month, while in February they were up 2.2%.