The quality of Slovakia's business environment notably declined again in the fourth quarter of last year, claims the Business Alliance of Slovakia (PAS) as its Business Environment Index (IPP) which the alliance calculates based on its own survey dropped for the first time ever below the reference level of 100 to 97.4 points, representing a quarterly deterioration of 3.91 points, the SITA newswire reported.
According to the index, entrepreneurs perceive the business environment more negatively than in 2001, when the index was presented for the first time, SITA wrote. According to entrepreneurs surveyed, the fourth quarter brought the deepest fall for effectiveness of law enforceability and functionality of courts.
Efficiency of the state's economic performance and access to state assistance reported the second highest slump and the third deepest downswing was reported on the efficiency of the political system in the country. PAS said negative long-term tendencies since the current government came into power were confirmed, saying that the three areas deteriorated the most since 2006.
At their news conference on February 18, PAS representatives rejected last week's allegations by Economy Minister Ľubomír Jahnátek that their survey of the business environment is politically motivated and is the only one to suggest deterioration in the sphere.
PAS said that three employers' organizations, namely the Association of Employers of the Slovak Republic (AZZZ), the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK), and the National Association of Employers (RUZ) expressed very similar opinions concerning the business environment, said PAS Executive Director Robert Kičina. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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