Tradeflow Study - UNDP Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion ...
Tradeflow Study - UNDP Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion ...
Tradeflow Study - UNDP Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion ...
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III.2. Climate for investment<br />
The predictability of government policy in the areas of monetary, fiscal <strong>and</strong> trade policy are<br />
major determinants in investors’ decisions to invest. In this regard, the countries of BSEC<br />
have undertaken major market reforms <strong>and</strong> undertaken fiscal reforms <strong>and</strong> increased<br />
transparency in their government policies. Another major area of importance is the<br />
government’s policies with respect to the flow of capitals, the ability for foreigners to invest in<br />
the economy <strong>and</strong> the regulations governing the labour market. Table 18 presents some<br />
principal characteristics of the countries in the region concerning the government’s policies in<br />
the areas of current account convertibility, investment controls, exchange rate regime, interest<br />
policies, wage regulations <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> ownership rights to foreign investors. All countries have<br />
fully liberalised the current account transactions <strong>and</strong> interest rates, <strong>and</strong> only two countries<br />
(Azerbaijan <strong>and</strong> Russia) still apply restrictions on foreign direct investment. Wage regulations<br />
are maintained in five countries. Restrictions are maintained by virtually all countries on l<strong>and</strong><br />
ownership (except in the case of Moldova), <strong>and</strong> only five countries maintain a market<br />
determined exchange rate.<br />
Table 18. Regulations governing international <strong>and</strong> national transactions<br />
Current<br />
account<br />
convertibility<br />
Controls on<br />
inward direct<br />
investment<br />
Interest rate<br />
liberalisation<br />
Exchange<br />
rate regime<br />
Wage<br />
regulation<br />
Tradability of<br />
l<strong>and</strong><br />
Albania full No full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
no<br />
float<br />
facto<br />
Armenia full No full floating no<br />
full except<br />
foreigners<br />
Azerbaijan full Yes full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
no<br />
float<br />
jure<br />
Bulgaria full No full<br />
currency<br />
full except<br />
yes<br />
board<br />
foreigners<br />
Georgia full No full floating no<br />
limited for<br />
foreigners<br />
Greece full No full floating yes n.a.<br />
Moldova full No full floating yes full<br />
Romania full No full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
yes<br />
float<br />
facto<br />
Russia full Yes full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
no<br />
float<br />
facto<br />
Serbia full No full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
no<br />
float<br />
jure<br />
Turkey full No full floating yes n.a.<br />
Ukraine full No full<br />
managed<br />
limited de<br />
no<br />
float<br />
facto<br />
Source: EBRD Transition Report 2006; OECD Economic Studies No36, 2003/1; UHY Doing business in Greece, July<br />
2006;<br />
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