Overseas
Investment Property in the Czech Republic is well worth considering, the Czech republic
is one of the most advanced of the Central and Eastern European (CEE)
economies. It became a full member of the EU in May 2004 and was the first CEE
country to be admitted to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD). This organisation has only 30 members worldwide who all
commit to democratic principles and market economies. It is a member of NATO;
it is fully integrated into both the World Trade Organisation and the European
Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
In
a June 2006 survey, Ernst and Young ranked the Czech
Republic as the 7th most
attractive country in the world for investment and no.1 in Europe
for automobile industry investments. The leading investment
credit rating agency, Standard and Poor, rank the Czech
Republic second only to Slovenia among
CEE countries.
Validus
Invest believe the Czech
Republic has an excellent
political and economic climate for property investment. Even thought this has been recognised for a
few years now, the Czech
Republic is still a
transitional economy and property is currently, surprisingly affordable and
accessible. The Czech mortgage market is mature enough to handle foreign
buy-to-let investors, with interest rates currently significantly lower than in
the UK.
If
you are thinking of overseas investment property you will be happy in knowing
that the government of the Czech
Republic operate a
non-discrimination policy, which gives foreign investors the same protection
when buying and owning property as enjoyed by Czech citizens. There are also
treaties in place to prevent double taxation with all EU states, the USA, Canada,
Australia
and many other countries.
The
Ministry of Finance reported that the impact on the country since joining the
EU has been characterised by an acceleration of economic growth, a reduction in
unemployment and increased foreign direct investment (FDI). In fact, the Czech Republic
has been one of the most successful CEE countries in attracting FDI.
GDP
grew by 4.2% in the year of EU accession (2004) which was a 1.5% improvement on
the average of 2.6% in the three preceding years. 2006 GDP growth figures are
running at 6%. Unemployment is below the EU average at 10%.
On joining the EU, the Czech Republic
gained preferential access to the EU’s huge market and became a net recipient
of the EU budget receiving 230 € million in 2004. The Czech Republic
still benefits from a positive cash injection from the EU budget and received
202 € million in 2006. These cash injections are major attractions to joining
the EU for accession countries, which allows them to catch up with their richer
EU neighbours such as Britain
and France.
`When economies grow, property markets generally follow.
There
is still huge potential for the property investor in the Czech Republic;
it is not too late, but it is no longer un-chartered territory. Validus believes that the Czech Republic
is a very suitable destination for the medium-risk investor.
Article Source: http://www.theukarticledirectory.co.uk