CR ranks 21st in terms of attractiveness for MA - poll

The chart assesses the quality and maturity of the investment environment of 148 countries from all over the world.

The USA placed first ahead of Singapore, with Britain following as the third.

The Czech Republic improved its position by four notches, placing tightly after Malaysia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

The maturity index assesses the Czech Republic as being the strongest in the area of infrastructure and technological factors, while the biggest weaknesses were found in economic, financial, legislative and political categories.

The country scored 75 percent for the current state of its economy, but only 20 percent for its GDP growth. While the country received 82 percent for its political stability, it received a score of mere 8 percent for the ease of tax administration and 44 percent for the ability to complete contracts with a minimum of interference.

"In comparison with 2011, the available data show a moderate growth of the number of mergers and acquisitions materialised in CR, but in comparison with pre-crisis years we still monitor a decreasing trend. Even though a significant volume of transactions worth $1.6bn (Kc330bn) was registered in the second quarter of 2012, we should wait for the full-year results. On the relatively small market a single important transaction can influence statistics significantly," E&Y partner for mergers and acquisitions Petra Wendelova said.

Foreign and inter-regional transactions accounted for three quarters of all mergers and acquisitions in the Czech Republic in Q2.

"The Czech Republic is still one of traditional targets for investors, mainly thanks to the quality of its enterprises. But on the other hand, the instability and difficult predictability of the development of the regulatory, tax and legislative environment lowers the investment appetite," Wendelova said.

Autor: ČTK
www.ctk.cz