Europe > Ukraine

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 81 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Mathematical and Quantitative Methods x
Clear All Modify Search
Serhan Cevik
and
Yueshu Zhao
European electricity markets are in the midst of unprecedented changes—caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rise of renewable sources of energy. Using high-frequency data, this paper investigates volatility spillovers across 24 countries in the European Union (EU) during the period 2014–2024 to provide a better understanding of the transmission of risks in an international context. We develop both a static and a dynamic assessment of spillover effects and directional decomposition between individual countries. Our main findings show that about 73 percent of the forecast error variation is explained by cross-variance shares, which means only 27 percent can be attributed to shocks within each country. In other words, cross-border volatility spillovers dominate the behavior in national electricity markets in Europe—and this effect has grown over time. We also implement an augmented gravity model of bilateral volatility spillovers across power markets in the EU. Altogether, these results provide important insights to policymakers and regulators with regards to greater integration of electricity markets and infrastructure improvements that would also help with the transition to low-carbon sources of power generation and strengthen energy security in Europe.
International Monetary Fund. Statistics Dept.
A technical assistance (TA) mission was conducted from July 15–19, 2024, to assist the State Statistical Service of Ukraine (SSSU) to develop new processes and methods for the compilation of the House Price Index (HPI). This was the second mission of a project that commenced in April 2024. The mission worked closely with the authorities to (i) develop R scripts to clean the listings data received from an online real estate platform, (ii) implement updated methods for index compilation, and (iii) increase the capacity of the SSSU staff.
International Monetary Fund. Statistics Dept.
A technical assistance (TA) mission was conducted from April 8–12, 2024, to assist the State Statistical Service of Ukraine (SSSU) with a methodological review of their House Price Index (HPI). The mission assessed the existing data and methodology used for the compilation of the HPI and made recommendations for improvements as required, in line with international statistical standards. The mission completed the following tasks: (i) undertake a review of the listings data collected by the SSSU and the data preparation being applied, (ii) assess the stratification and hedonic methods used for the HPI, (iii) review the weights and aggregation procedures used to compile the national index, (iv) provide guidance on the dissemination of the HPI, and (v) provide practical training to staff in the SSSU.
Ibrahim Nana
,
Rasmané Ouedraogo
, and
Sampawende J Tapsoba
This paper empirically investigates the relationship between uncertainty and trade. We use a gravity model for 143 countries over the 1980-2021 period to assess the impact of uncertainty on bilateral trade. We confirm that, in general, uncertainty has a negative impact on trade. The findings suggest that a one standard deviation increase in global uncertainty is associated with a decline in bilateral trade by 4.5 percent, with fuel and industrial products trade being the most impacted. This negative impact is observed for uncertainty on both sides of the border, with a higher impact of uncertainty from the importing country. The article goes deeper into the analysis and shows that deeper trade integration (horizontal integration) mitigates the negative impact of uncertainty on trade. In contrast, higher participation in global value chains (vertical integration) amplifies the negative effect of uncertainty on trade. We find that geopolitical tensions amplify the deterrent effect of uncertainty on trade. Finally, the result is heterogeneous across income levels, regions, and resource endowment: (a) uncertainty has a negative impact on bilateral trade between Emerging Markets and Developing Economies and Advanced Economies; however, (b) at the regional level, Africa and Europe’s intraregional trade decrease as uncertainty surges. (c) Evidence shows that non-resources-rich countries are more at risk.
Gita Gopinath
,
Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas
,
Andrea F Presbitero
, and
Petia Topalova
Global linkages are changing amidst elevated geopolitical tensions and a surge in policies directed at increasing supply chain resilience and national security. Using granular bilateral data, this paper provides new evidence of trade and investment fragmentation along geopolitical lines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and compares it to the historical experience of the early years of the Cold War. Gravity model estimates point to significant declines in trade and FDI flows between countries in geopolitically distant blocs since the onset of the war in Ukraine, relative to flows between countries in the same bloc (roughly 12% and 20%, respectively). While the extent of fragmentation is still relatively small and we do not know how longlasting it will be, the decoupling between the rival geopolitical blocs during the Cold War suggests it could worsen considerably should geopolitical tensions persist and trade restrictive policies intensify. Different from the early years of the Cold War, a set of nonaligned ‘connector’ countries are rapidly gaining importance and serving as a bridge between blocs. The emergence of connectors has likely brought resilience to global trade and activity, but does not necessarily increase diversification, strengthen supply chains, or lessen strategic dependence.
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
The 2024 Article IV Consultation highlights that Finland’s economy recovered swiftly from the pandemic, but growth slowed after Russia’s war in Ukraine. Weak household income growth, falling house prices, higher interest rates, and low growth in Europe has caused activity to stall in Finland, with a contraction of 0.5 percent estimated in 2023. However, inflation has fallen to levels that are more normal and financial conditions appear to be easing. Structurally, adverse demographics and weak productivity have resulted in low trend growth, weighing on public finances. Enhancing employment and productivity are essential for economic growth. The mission supports the government's efforts to boost employment through social benefit reforms, greater flexibility in the labor market, and lowering the labor tax wedge. The financial system remains resilient, but rising systemic risks warrant vigilant monitoring. Banks have sufficient capital to withstand adverse macroeconomic shocks, including geo-economics fragmentation and weakening of profits and capital ratios. Additionally, debt-to-income and debt-service-to-income limits should be added to the macroprudential policy toolkit in order to prevent excessive household indebtedness and improve borrower’s repayment capacity. These measures could be activated when concerns regarding adverse effects on demand and house prices subside.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
The 2023 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Kyrgyz economy grew strongly in 2023, led by construction and trade, despite the challenging regional environment. Tax revenue mobilization improved, and public debt declined. Headline inflation fell from 14.7 percent in December 2022 to 7.3 percent in December 2023, supported by a marked reduction in food and fuel inflation, but demand pressures have kept core inflation elevated. The official current account deficit has remained significant due to the decline in net remittance inflows, lower gold exports, and unrecorded re-exports. Output is expected to grow at its potential rate of 4 percent in the medium term, inflation decline to mid-single digits, and public debt remain contained. Current favorable macroeconomic conditions present a window of opportunity to strengthen the policy framework and raise growth prospects through structural reforms. The priorities are strengthening governance, including management and privatization of state-owned enterprises, enhancing competition, reforming the electricity sector, and strengthening social safety nets.
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
The 2023 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Kazakhstan highlights that Growth is estimated to have reached 4.8 percent in 2023 and is projected to slow to 3.1 percent in 2024. Inflation declined to 9.8 percent in 2023, still well above the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK)’s target of 5 percent. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. The state’s footprint in the economy remains large and structural reform implementation has been slow in recent years. With many uncertainties affecting the short-term outlook, monetary policy should remain tight until inflation is closer to target and inflation expectations are re-anchored. To support this, there is significant room to further strengthen the NBK’s independence and the effectiveness and credibility of monetary policy. Structural reforms are essential to advance Kazakhstan’s transition to a fully-fledged market economy and promote a more vibrant private sector that will lead future job creation and economic diversification and growth.
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
The 2023 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malta has experienced an impressive recovery from the pandemic and demonstrated resilience to shocks resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The challenge for the medium term is to ensure a robust policy framework to foster strong, socially- and environmentally-sustainable, and inclusive growth. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside in part due to spillover effects from a possible escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine or of the Israel–Gaza conflict, as well as a deeper-than-expected economic downturn in Europe. Domestically, wage and inflationary pressures could be higher and more persistent. On the upside, lower-than-expected commodity prices would help decelerate inflation, ease fiscal pressures, and boost growth. Key priorities include containing demand pressures by accelerating fiscal consolidation, exiting gradually from the current fixed energy price policy while protecting vulnerable groups, maintaining financial stability, and boosting structural reform efforts. Boosting productivity will be imperative to achieve strong, socially-and environmentally sustainable, and inclusive growth.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper presents the 2023 Article IV consultation and Request for an Arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) with The Gambia. The ECF-supported program aims to strengthen economic recovery, tackle inflation, address foreign exchange pressures, reduce debt vulnerabilities, advance structural reforms, and foster strong and inclusive growth. The Article IV policy consultation focused on drivers of inflation, macroeconomic implications of the gender gap, climate-related risks and policies, debt sustainability, and external stability. In view of lingering vulnerabilities, including the upcoming expiration of debt service deferrals, it would be important to build fiscal and external buffers. The authorities are encouraged to persevere in their ambitious structural reform agenda, including on enhancing governance and improving the business environment to support private sector-led growth and poverty reduction. Adopting strong climate-related policies and tackling gender inequality would also support more resilient and inclusive growth.