Lithuania

The Czech Republic entered the transition process with a strong industrial heritage and an extensive, but obsolete infrastructure showing the effects of over 40 years of central planning. Throughout the nineties, the extensive reforms undertaken have helped reintegrate the Czech Republic into the global economy through measures such as privatisation and the creation of a favourable and liberal investment climate which has led to a surge in FDI in recent years in particular. The Czech Republic became a Member of the OECD in 1995. The Czech government is committed to addressing the need for further industrial restructuring and to completing the privatisation process which has played a key role in the transformation of the Czech economy and in attracting FDI. With this process virtually completed, the Czech Republic now has the challenge of sustaining FDI inflows in the future through further greenfield projects and reinvestments and improving backward linkages to domestic companies. This review charts the development of FDI in the Czech Republic and evaluates its role in the transition process, assessing the degree of openness of the economy to foreign direct investors.

The Czech Republic entered the transition process with a strong industrial heritage and an extensive, but obsolete infrastructure showing the effects of over 40 years of central planning. Throughout the nineties, the extensive reforms undertaken have helped reintegrate the Czech Republic into the global economy through measures such as privatisation and the creation of a favourable and liberal investment climate which has led to a surge in FDI in recent years in particular. The Czech Republic became a Member of the OECD in 1995. The Czech government is committed to addressing the need for furt

Since regaining its independence in 1990, Lithuania has undergone a remarkable economic transformation. By the end of 2000, this process had been greatly stimulated by the inflow of some US2.3 billion in foreign direct investment. FDI has contributed to green-field investment, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the privatisation of state-owned-enterprises. Creating favourable conditions for FDI has been a core element of Lithuania's economic strategy, and relatively few restrictions to FDI now remain. FDI has also been encouraged by the prospect of EU membership, as well as Lithuania's accession to the World Trade Organisation on 31 May 2001. Among the remaining challenges are an early completion of privatisations, pursuance of liberalisation, and foreign competition for trade and investment. Top priority is being given to solving implementation problems resulting from the revamping of the old regulatory regime. On 26 July 2001, Lithuania became eligible for adherence to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. This will help to consolidate Lithuania's achievements and expand its economic relations with OECD countries and other adherents to the Declaration.