English
Obserwator Finansowy features views and analysis of economy in Poland and other countries, written by some of the best journalists, economists and analysts. Our mission is to share knowledge of economics and financial markets in the world.
Obserwator Finansowy is a project under aegis of the Poland’s central bank, Narodowy Bank Polski. We have published thousands of articles about the Polish and global economy. Our journalists have conducted hundreds of interviews with Nobel laureates, distinguished economists, business leaders and politicians with views across the political spectrum.
In this section you can find selected articles in English.
Unfinished Revolutions
Andrew MacDowallThe path taken by Romania and Bulgaria over the past 25 years differs from that of both Central Europe, which embraced free-market capitalism more enthusiastically, and the Western Balkans, much of which was set back by...
Former Yugoslavia still recovering from wars – and Titoist legacy
Andrew MacDowallWhile the rest of the CEE was either rapidly moving towards a democratic capitalist model, or languishing in post-communist malaise, but a least with new political and economic freedom, much of the Western Balkans plunged...
The Czech Republic Hunts for a New Source of Growth
Marcin MalinowskiAfter a quarter century of effective economic change, the Czech Republic finds itself searching for a new growth model. Relative success, with per capita GDP nearly double compared to 1993 and households having 600% more...
In Slovakia, Little Change Despite Decades of Protest
Tom NicholsonNovember 2014 was again a month of marches in Bratislava, with thousands taking to the streets of the Slovak capital to deplore state corruption much as their parents had massed to bring down communism a quarter century...
Belarus: Reliance on Russia Puts Off Reforms
Sergei KuznetsovBelarus’s economy remains one of the least reformed in the region – largely because it has been able to rely on help from Russia to avoid a politically risky restructuring which could endanger the authoritarian rule of...
Polish Coal: Lagging Reforms Hobble Sector
Adam EastonPoland’s state-owned hard coal mining industry is on the brink of bankruptcy thanks to falling prices and demand, rising costs and a reluctance to close unprofitable pits – all this after billions of dollars were spent...
Swiss Decision Sends Ripples Across Central Europe
Jan CieńskiThe unexpected decision by the Swiss National Bank Thursday to stop defending the longtime benchmark of 1.20 francs to the euro has set off panic across central Europe, with Poland the most exposed of all the region’s...
Banks must cut costs deeply to make themselves attractive to investors
Jacek RamotowskiAlthough the economic crisis has largely ended, European banks have not yet regained their balance, and their biggest problem is a lack of profitability. Although their capital strength has ceased to be an issue, lending...
Who will make money on rebuilding Donbass
Michał KozakUkrainian authorities are considering how to rebuild Donbass, destroyed by Russian mercenaries. Unless the West takes part in the procedure, decisions are likely to depend on under which variant the most money can be...
IMF calls for CEE reforms to boost growth
Jan CieńskiCentral Europe in general and Poland in particular have had an astonishing quarter century as their economies have dramatically closed the gap with the wealthier western half of the continent – but the catch-up risks...