Euro in the Baltic States opens new opportunities for European investors
In November 2010, the Lithuanian stock exchange NASDAQ OMX Vilnius started trading and settlement operations in euro. And, as of 1st January 2011, the euro circulates as an official currency in Estonia. This will beyond any doubt facilitate Investment in the Baltic States. Trading and settlement operations in euro reduce any related risks, guarantee simpler control, and ensure a more efficient management of investment portfolios at the same time contributing to the liquidity of the market. Furthermore, the same trading and settlement currency used on two exchanges – Vilnius and Tallinn – reduces currency Exchange costs, allows a more extensive diversification of Investment and eases the portfelio value calculations.
“We are trying to make the region more accessible, as well as more attractive to both local and foreign investors and companies” says Hans-Ole Jochumsen, Executive Vice President of NASDAQ OMX Group.
The Lithuanian economy survived the crisis much faster than has been projected by most experts, and started growing recently. To rescue its economy Lithuania as early as the end of 2008 introduced its stringant saving programmes that some euro zone members only recently started considering, e.g., material public sector expenditure cuts, reduction in social expenditures, increase in taxes, etc. In 2009, the Baltic States suffered perhaps the most severe decline in economy among other EU Member States: the gross domestic product (GDP) of Lithuania decreased by 15 percent, Latvia by 18 percent, and Estonia 13.9 percent (Eurostat).
Currently the negative effect of such saving measures that had suppressed the domestic consumption is observably declining, and in the second quarter of 2010, the Lithuanian economy began seeing the first signs of recovery (following six negatyve quarters in a row) when, the growth of the Lithuanian gross domestic product (GDP) was recorded at +1.1 percent year over year, and at +6.6 percent as compared to the first quarter.
In 2011, in view of the decreasing unemployment and growing wages, the recovering consumption, the further rise of economy will be supported by investment, the expanding bank lending portfolio, and the further development of export. According to EU Eurostat forecast in 2011 the gross domestic product (GDP) of Lithuania will increase by +2.8 percent, Estonia by +4.4 percent, Latvia by +3.3 percent. Lithuania’s export markets are expected to grow quite rapidly and they will undoubtedly make major contributions to the recovery of the Lithuanian economy. For instance, Russia, one of the most important trading partners of Lithuania is expected to grow in 2011 by 4.7 percent and in 2012 by 5.1 percent. The German and Polish industries are also on the rise. While countries currently facing significant economic difficulties such as Ireland, Spain or Portugal, are not among the most important foreign trade partners for Lithuania.
In 2011, in the same manner as in 2010, the most rapid growth is predicted for mostly export-orientedsectors – industry and transport, while other sectors to a larger extent linked to domestic demand such as trading and construction will be recovering at a slower pace. This is expressly confirmed by the expectations of capital market investors, last year Baltic equities were gaining in price. The NASDAQ OMX Vilnius market capitalisation grew by more than one third in 2010, a record indicator among the Baltic States, and reached EUR 4,219.76 million. The main Lithuanian index NASDAQ OMX Vilnius last year leaped by +56.49 percent, the Estonian index NASDAQ OMX Tallinn last year rose by +72.62 percent, and the Latvian index NASDAQ OMX Riga by +41.08 percent.
For more information about investment possibilities visit www.investinbaltics.com
Audronė Ranonytė,
FAA member