The new EU member states, most of them located in Central and Eastern Europe, have set themselves on a path of strong economic growth that was intensified after their accession to the EU and the current integration in the Schengen area and Eurozone (Slovakia as of 2009).
Low labour costs paired with high-level infrastructural facilities are attracting Western companies more than ever. At the same time home-grown firms are attracting global attention.
It is this dynamic growth at which the old EU countries further West can only shake their heads in sad wonder. In fact, over the past few years, economic growth in countries in Central and Eastern Europe has outpaced global economies, on the whole.
The new EU members have shown much stronger growth. And while there is certainly a catch-up effect involved, it is also because they have enacted forward-looking structural reforms in recent years. Those reforms included slashing corporate tax rates, deregulating labor markets and largely privatizing their economies. Not for nothing - the implemented reforms yield fruit as they have positioned the CEE Region among the world's most attractive and dynamic marketplaces and investment regions. Therefore: This is the place to be. Right now.
