Competitiveness / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth

This section feature research, opinion and progress reports on how the Czech Republic compares to other EU countries economically. It includes analysis of international rankings such as the WEF and World Bank.

Spotlight issue

8th April 2020 / Competitiveness / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Pandenomics: How Covid-19 could change the world

We are nowhere near knowing when the Covid-19 pandemic will end or how bad things will really get. But the world may never be the same again. The pandemic will shake up not only healthcare, but politics and business, culture, society and our well-being. Combining several disciplines, we identify 15 shifts that may confront us over the coming years
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30th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Czech National Bank Review: The big winner is the koruna

The Czech National Bank cut rates by 75bp today but the total package of measures disappointed. After the latest MinFin comments, the CNB planning on quantitative easing appeared as a done deal. But the CNB indicated it is not on the table now. All this is positive for the koruna but less positive for Czech Government bonds.
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30th March 2020 / Competitiveness / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Central bank has cut interest rates by another 75bp

The Czech National Bank cut its key repo rate by a further 75bp at last week’s monetary policy meeting. While this was in line with market expectations, analysts expected a smaller decrease of 50bp. A poorer growth outlook for the Czech economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic remains the main reason for the loose monetary policy. The central bank also decided to decrease the counter cyclical capital buffer to 1% starting on 1 April and is prepared to buy government bonds in order to stabilise the financial sector. Once again, the bank declared its readiness to defend the koruna – which is weakening significantly – through the FX intervention. It did not cite a trigger value, but one was set internally. We forecast another rate cut of 50bp in the event of more severe economic impacts. As the cuts are state dependent, they can be implemented any time.
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Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic