Laza Kekic heads the Economist Intelligence Unit’s regional team of analysts who provide economic, political and business coverage for all the countries of eastern Europe, including the former Soviet Union. He also heads the Country Forecasting Services as well as the Country Forecasts (medium and long-term forecasts for 82 countries aimed at direct investors). His main areas of main specialisation and interest are: Russia, the Balkans and other transition economies, foreign direct investment, economic forecasting; growth economics, political development. He has written extensively for the Economist Intelligence Unit and other outlets on these topics. Laza is also a frequent speaker at Economist and external conferences and seminars. Laza was educated at the London School of Economics (BSc and MSc Econ) and joined the Economist Intelligence Unit in 1993.