Deloitte: Central Europe Equity Funds Prepare New Acquisitions

05.17.2011 By Andrei Circhelan

Central European equity funds, including those operating in Romania, are more optimistic about economic outlooks in the region this year, seeking new investments over the next six months, consultancy firm Deloitte said in a report Tuesday.

According to the Central Europe Private Equity confidence survey, compiled by Deloitte, 74% of respondents said they would strongly focus on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

"Central Europe's Private Equity professionals are more bullish today than since the confidence peak of April 2007, at the height of the pre-crisis boom. (Positive sentiment is based) on strong GDP growth in countries with strong private equity activities such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia," Deloitte said in a news release.

Focus-grabbing sectors for new investment include manufacturing and food.

"There is a clear expectation of a forthcoming increase in market activity levels during the months to come, with 98% of respondents expecting these either to grow or to remain the same," the report notes.

Private equity and venture capital investment cumulated EUR120 million in Romania last year, compared to EUR220 million in 2009.