Business climate A recent EU entrant but not yet in the eurozone, Bulgaria enjoyed significant inward investment in the second half of the last decade until this was sharply reduced by the global downturn. Corruption and organised crime are major issues.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Experts are divided on President Václav Klaus’ veto of an amendment to gambling regulations that would have given municipalities the power to regulate and license modern video gambling terminals in their districts.

Some agree with the move, saying the amendment was ill-prepared and weak, while others say the move simply sanctions the unacceptably high level of gambling in the Czech Republic.

More than 60 billion Kč ($3 billion), or more than 1 billion Kč per week, were put into slot machines in 2008, the last year of available figures. There are estimated to be more than 60,000 gaming machines nationwide.