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PAS: Entrepreneurial Environment Improves for First Time Since 2006
Wednesday 03 November 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, November 3 (TASR) - The entrepreneurial environment in Slovakia improved slightly in the third quarter of 2010, Slovak Business Alliance (PAS) senior analyst Matej Tunega said on Wednesday.
The Business Environment Index (IPP) rose to 91.9 points between July-September, up 0.39-percent on 2Q10, the first rise in the index since July 2006, when the government of former premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) assumed power.
"The perceived improvement is an expression of cautious optimism that stems from a rather positively viewed Government Manifesto and some of the measures adopted by the Government since then. It's the first, albeit very moderate, increase in the Business Environment Index after a long period of decline," said Tunega.
PAS notes that state economic policy and the availability of information are the spheres that have improved most significantly since Iveta Radicova's Government took office in July.
Entrepreneurs also welcome austerity measures designed to revive the economy. Some said that the Government should have been even bolder, however.
The second-biggest improvement was recorded in the indicator concerning the effectiveness of the political system. "This evaluation is primarily related to more openness from the Government and to entrepreneurs' expectations of the new Government," said Tunega.
The third-most significant improvement was in the quality and availability of production inputs and the workforce. According to the analyst, this is due to the high unemployment rate, which has boosted the supply of qualified workers.
Conversely, the entrepreneurs belonging to PAS complained most about the Government's plans to change legislation on levies, which would lead to a higher levy burden and a consequent slow-down in business development.
In addition, entrepreneurs were unhappy about poor payment discipline among their business partners, which is blamed on the economic crisis.
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