Q1 GDP data to show strengthening recovery in Central Europe

This week’s preliminary first quarter GDP data for Central and South Eastern Europe are likely to show that the region’s economic recovery strengthened at the start of the year, in spite of fears of contagion from the crisis in Ukraine. Indeed, we think growth in a several countries – notably, the Czech Republic and Poland – could be faster than most expect. By contrast, the data are likely to confirm that the Russian economy slowed sharply.