Material gains from a velvet revolution
Article Abstract:
The Czech Republic has become the favorite location of foreign investors looking for investment opportunities in central Europe. Unlike the previously favored Hungary, the new republic has been highly successful in transforming itself from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. Aside from being politically stable, it has a strong economy that boasts of a trade surplus, a budget surplus, a stable currency and declining inflation. The Czech Republic's favorable economic fundamentals have convinced major rating agencies to regard it an investment grade country. Nevertheless, there are still some problems that the government of Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, widely considered to be the driving force behind the Czech economic growth, has to address. These include antiquated infrastructure and the lack of an adequate legal framework.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
When size matters
Article Abstract:
Canadian company CCL Industries has successfully recovered from the adverse effects of 1989 US-Canada free trade agreement and is now a dominant player in the North American market. The free trade pact nearly drove the company out of business, compelling it to adopt a 'make or break' strategy that turned out to be highly effective. To be able to compete on a North American scale, CCL closed an aerosol plant and sold off Continental Can (Canada) to free itself of the non-competition agreement that it signed with Continental Can (US). The company then pursued a growth strategy based on acquisitions, concentrating on three businesses, namely, contract filling, labels and containers. It has acquired 19 companies in these areas since 1989 and is now the North American market leader in all three.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Busy Regina rebuilds the hive
Article Abstract:
Regina Health & Beauty PLC Chmn and Finance Director David Tett joined the firm, the major producer of royal jelly obtained from bees, in Oct 1989 as a management consultant. Tett was brought aboard by founder and past Chmn Irene Stein, who left the company in Nov 1989 after a disagreement over the need for restructuring advocated by Tett. Tett states that the firm expanded too ambitiously at a time when the market for royal jelly slowed down due to increased competition. Tett has managed to save the firm from near bankruptcy through a reorganization that drastically reduced the number of employees, expanded into non-royal jelly products, and affected a refinancing through a two-for five rights issue.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Shelter from the storm. When the navel-gazing has to stop. Turning big business into fine art
- Abstracts: Forward and futures prices: evidence from the foreign exchange markets. Are real interest rates equal across countries? An empirical investigation of international parity conditions
- Abstracts: Discipline with regulation. A question of responsibility. What sort of world are we trying to build
- Abstracts: Another kind of league table. From bananas to salads and a recipe for change. Free trade, Canada and the European challenge