The economies of central Europe face difficult times in coming years owing to a slowdown in the pace of reforms and a labour shortage, a senior OECD official said on Monday
Published:
5 December 2004 y., Sunday
The economies of central Europe face difficult times in coming years owing to a slowdown in the pace of reforms and a labour shortage, a senior OECD official said on Monday.
Speaking at a meeting here of central European chief financial officers, OECD economic adviser Patrick Lenain said that although the region's growth rates had risen to about 4.0 percent and the short-term outlook for the region was good, the longer-term outlook was less positive.
"Even rising oil prices and the falling dollar should not prevent these countries growing by around 4.0 percent in 2004 and 2005. But catching up in the medium-term will not happen automatically. I hope central Europe will have a great future but this is not for certain and is not guaranteed," he said.
"The prospect of joining the EU was an important driver for reform and levelling the playing field in the region. But the pace of reform has since slowed down and we need another carrot for dynamic growth," he added.
A number of barriers and obstacles stood in the way of central Europe catching up with western Europe living standards, he said.
A critical problem faced by the central Europe countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia was their ageing populations, Lenain warned.
Šaltinis:
AFP
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
New legislation for pan-European supervision of credit rating agencies and a public debate on how financial institutions are managed.
more »
On 2 June in Vilnius, Lithuania‘s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė and Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization Rufus H. Yerxa discussed the main issues on the international trade policy agenda, Russia‘s WTO accession and the changing role of China in the world economy.
more »
2157 former construction workers in Spain and 598 ex-employees at the Irish crystal glass company Waterford Crystal with suppliers could get €11 million in EU globalisation adjustment fund aid for training, self-employment and professional orientation under plans approved by the Budgets Committee on Wednesday.
more »
Companies from the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain have won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment.
more »
The planned overhaul of EU fisheries policy should devolve more powers to regions, protect small coastal fleets and boost aquaculture, said MEPs and members of national parliaments on Tuesday.
more »
The first in a series of loan agreements for energy efficiency investments in multi-apartment buildings was signed today between the European Investment Bank (EIB), as manager of the JESSICA holding fund in Lithuania, and Šiaulių bankas.
more »
Despite the current economic crisis and tensions in the euro, Estonia is set to adopt the single currency in January.
more »
Commission proposes a bank tax to cover the costs of winding down banks that go bust.
more »
The European Investment Bank will provide a total of EUR 400 million to Hellenic Petroleum SA in order to increase the production of cleaner fuels via the upgrading of the Elefsina refinery.
more »
European ministers meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels at the final Competitiveness Council to be held during the six months of the Spanish Presidency, which has an agenda laden with important issues such as the electric vehicle, the European patent system and national R+D investment goals.
more »