The rise of radical Islam in the Middle East and the reintroduction of border controls in Europe is disrupting supply chains and raising costs for business, according to a global trade body. Unstable commodity prices, a more assertive Russia and the cross-border presence of Isis have heightened risk. Source: FT
The European and global economic environment has become more threatening for France in recent months, with the recession in Italy a particularly serious concern, the French finance minister said. Source Bloomberg
Turkey is about to start offshore drilling with two vessels around the island of Cyprus, Turkish foreign minister said on Feb. 21. “Let those who come to the region from far away, and their companies, see that nothing can be done in that region without us. Nothing at all can be done in the Mediterranean without Turkey, we will not allow that,” Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told at an event gathering business people in Turkey’s western Aydın province. Source Daily News
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will never have a role in the future of the Turkish economy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, also criticizing the main opposition party on the issue. Source Daily News