CEE Growth Forecasts: 3,3% Slovakia - EU leader (22.01.2009)
With an estimated GDP growth of 3,3% in 2009 Slovakia not only heads the table of CEE countries but of the entire EU.
(Source: Economist Intelligence Unit of Jan. 15th 2009). This figure shows how dynamic and strong the market of the latest entrant presents itself despite the global economic downturn and the recent gas supply crisis hitting also other markets in the CEE region. Besides Hungary - with an estimated GDP drop of 1,5% - also the other CEE countries should expect a decent year unlike the big EU markets further West: Poland 2,9%, Romania 2,6%, Czech Republic 0,8%, Bulgaria 0,8%. Central and Eastern Europe therefore stays a fertile ground for foreign investments thanks to its relatively stable business environment. It thus doesnt surprise that rumors spread about major investors such as Warren Buffett increasingly looking to the region to make a next business bargain in CEE.
