Rapid and multifaceted privatization: Experience of the Czech and Slovak Republics

Like the other formerly communist countries, Czechoslovakia commenced its transformation process from a position of extreme state ownership of the economy. Czechoslovakia was in fact exceptional in that the extent of etatization was greater than in most other socialist economies - only 1.2% of the labor force, 2% of all registered assets and a negligible fraction of the nation's GDP belonged to the private sector in 1989. This low share did not change very much in 1990, when official statistics still attributed only 4% of GDP to the private sector. As can be seen from Table 1, in 1992 the private sector started to grow rapidly in retail trade and construction, mostly as a result of restitutions and small scale privatization. In contrast, industry remained predominantly in state hands throughout the first half of 1993 and it was not until the second half of 1993 that the share of private ownership in industry increased as a result of the massive transfer of shares of enterprises in the large scale privatization program

Effects of Various Doses of Selenite on Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) on the growth, accumulation and possible mechanisms of Se transport in certain parts (roots, leaves, stamp and apex) of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) plants. Se was supplemented by one-shot and two repeated doses to the soil (2.0 and 4.0 mg Se per kg of substrate). Selenium content in roots increased linearly with dose and was significantly higher compared to other plant parts of interest. However, growth of the above-ground parts of plant as well as roots was slightly inhibited with increasing selenium concentration in comparison to the untreated plants. The content of phytochelatin2, a low molecular mass peptide containing a sulfhydryl group, correlated well with the Se content. This suggests a possible stimulation of synthesis of this plant peptide by Se

CZECH PRIVATIZATION: PLAYERS AND WINNERS

This paper is focused on behaviour of different groups of economic agents participating in large scale privatization. Since large scale privatization has many interactions with other privatization programs, we will also briefly describe restitutions, small scale privatization and property transfer to municipalities. We will present descriptive analysis of rules and procedures of large scale privatization, identify the most important bidders for privatized property and analyze strategies they can use within given rules. On sample of 201 firms we will demonstrate use of those strategies by different bidders and their relative success in the process