home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CNN Newsroom: Global View
/
CNN Newsroom: Global View.iso
/
eur
/
slk
/
slk.ec4
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-05-02
|
5KB
|
107 lines
<text>
<title>
Slovakia: World Trade Outlook
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
World Trade Outlook 1992: Czechoslovakia
Start On Reforms Improves Business Climate
</hdr>
<body>
<p>Note: Czechoslovakia divided to become The Czech Republic and
Slovakia in January 1993.
</p>
<p>By Mark J. Mowrey
</p>
<p>The Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR) will remain one of
the leading Central and Eastern European success stories.
Though 1991 brought a series of problems for the Czechoslovak
economy, the country made an auspicious start on its economic
reforms. Dramatic improvement in U.S.-CSFR economic relations
and Czechoslovakia's progress in reforming its economy hold out
bright prospects for future bilateral trade.
</p>
<p>U.S. exports 1991--$124 million U.S. imports 1991--$144
million
</p>
<p> To be sure, the CSFR will remain for a time in the throes of
a deep recession. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined more
than 16 percent during 1991, largely due to the near collapse of
trade with its traditional trading partners in the former
COMECON, and may decline another 5-6 percent in 1992.
Unemployment has reached 6.6 percent and likely will rise
further. The CSFR found it lost its source of cheap Soviet
energy and that many of its manufactured exports were not
immediately transferable to Western markets.
</p>
<p> Nonetheless, Czechoslovakia emerged from 1991 with a number
of strengths. The country maintains a relatively modest external
debt. Governmental reforms have freed 95 percent of prices from
administrative control. Inflation, which surged in the first
half of 1991, dropped to a near zero monthly rate by year-end.
The authorities devalued the crown only once in the beginning of
1991 as they made the currency internally convertible. Moreover,
the CSFR made impressive gains in trade with the West as it
sought to replace the COMECON market.
</p>
<p> The CSFR reforms have already markedly improved the business
climate. All registered companies may engage in foreign trade
without facing administrative barriers to obtaining hard
currency for trading purposes. In the investment area, the
government has simplified procedures for establishing new
wholly-owned firms or joint ventures and has guaranteed profit
repatriation in most instances. A new commercial code came into
effect on Jan. 1, 1992, and a completely new tax system
incorporating an EC-style value added tax should come into
effect in 1993. A U.S.-Czechoslovakia double-taxation treaty
should also come into force at the same time.
</p>
<p> The great drama of 1992, however, is the CSFR's attempt to
quickly privatize a large portion of the economy. Privatization
of small firms began in January 1991, with some 25,000
privatized to date; privatization of the first wave of over
2,000 large state-owned enterprises began late last year. This,
along with a second wave of privatizations this May, will give
foreigners opportunities to invest in a variety of Czechoslovak
firms.
</p>
<p> As restructuring and modernization proceed, import needs will
grow, offering new opportunities for American exporters.
</p>
<p> Bilateral U.S.-CSFR economic relations continue to improve.
Restoration of Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment in 1990 was
followed by a 51 percent increase in 1991 trade over 1990. The
two sides signed a bilateral investment treaty in October 1991,
which should be ratified this year. The number of American
businesses with offices or representation in the CSFR has
climbed past 200, and an American Chamber of Commerce was
launched in February. Several U.S. government programs are now
fully operational in the CSFR, including the Export-Import Bank,
the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and
Development Program. The Czech and Slovak American Enterprise
Fund has begun approving projects designed to assist in the
development of the Czechoslovak private sector.
</p>
<p> Despite limits to hard currency reserves, American goods are
in strong demand. The best prospects include: computers
(hardware and software), pollution control equipment,
telecommunications equipment and services, electrical power
systems, information services, management consulting services,
financial services, travel and tourism services, aircraft,
medical equipment, and food processing and packaging equipment.
</p>
<p> The Department of Commerce sponsors a number of trade
promotion events each year. In 1992, events will feature capital
goods, maritime services, industrial equipment, food processing
and packaging technology, and energy efficiency technology.
</p>
<p> For further information about the above shows, and on doing
business in Czechoslovakia, contact the Commerce Department's
Eastern Europe Business Information Center at (202) 482-2645.
</p>
<p>Source: International Trade Administration, Business America Magazine
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>