YOUR PARTNER IN THE BALTIC

The three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are booming regions and the engine of growth in eastern Europe. The growth rate of GDP in all three countries has been above that in the other EU member states since 2000, and a growth rate of more than 6% is expected for all three countries over the next few years.

The Baltic States have been members of the EU since May 2004, guaranteeing high stability and legal security. The Index of Economic Freedom and the Heritage Foundation places Estonia in an area of economic freedom above Germany and all other European states, with the exception of Luxembourg. Sustained and strong growth is expected to continue because of the attractive investment conditions.

At the moment, labour costs in the three states are still bottom of the list in Europe, but this is expected to change with an increase in real wages medium-term, so that long-term the geographical and strategic position can achieve its potential. The accessibility of the markets in the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and the rest of Eastern Europe, including Russia, make them attractive.

In order to be successful in international trading, language knowledge is of utmost importance. The transforming Baltic States recognised very quickly that education and training are deciding factors for future investments, hence the extent of very good English across the Baltic States.

A move to east Europe is especially lucrative now because investors are offered interesting incentives and the tax level is more attractive than in most of the other old EU member countries. DEC is the strong partner at your side.

Torsten Koch

Managing Director, DEC