Business News | All stories

The Czech government has approved a package of measures to raise extra money to finance repair of damage caused by the recent devastating floods. The government hopes to gain an extra 26 billion crowns for the state budget over the next two years.

Czech GDP growth slowed down in the second quarter of 2002 to 2.5 percent year-on-year, from 2.8 percent in the first quarter. It is the worst result since the third quarter of 2000. In the corresponding period of 2001, Czech GDP grew at a pace of 3.5 percent annually. Experts say the main factor behind the slowdown is weak foreign demand.

Government approves a tax reform to raise extra money to finance repairs of flood damage. GDP growth slows down while unemployment continues growing and inflation remains extremely low. In this week's edition of Economics Report, we have an analyst comment on the latest economic developments.

Flood relief donations are also continuing in Europe. The Czech Embassy in London says people in Britain have donated almost 160,000 pounds, or more than eight million crowns, to a special fund for Czech flood victims.

The Czech Government is planning to introduce a tax reform to raise money for flood damage repairs while insurers upgrade their flood damage estimates.