The Prospects of Capital Markets in Central and Eastern Europe

The picture of the securities exchanges and financial sectors in CEE countries is still relatively unfavorable. The CEE securities exchanges – with the only exception of the Warsaw Stock Exchange – are, in comparison with their western counterparts, underdeveloped and less important for the domestic economies in general and for corporate finance in particular. The CEE securities exchanges are under pressure for several reasons and should change their form of (international) organization to ensure future success. Stronger international integration of the exchanges could also improve the integration of CEE companies into international capital markets.