The Ministry of Finance has lowered its estimate for this year's economic growth to 1.9 percent and is finalizing the draft state budget for next year, which must be submitted to the government by the end of the month. The assets entrusted to asset managers in the Czech Republic reached a record high of 4.066 trillion crowns at the end of the second quarter. The Czech Leasing and Financial Association registered over three thousand newly financed electric vehicles in the first half of the year.
The Ministry of Finance has lowered its estimate for this year's growth of the Czech economy to 1.9 percent due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on exports and industrial production. Average inflation is expected to fall to 2.2 percent this year, thanks to cheaper food and a stronger crown. Economic growth will be supported primarily by real wage increases and household consumption, despite the fact that the budget deficit of government institutions will rise to 2.7 percent of GDP this year.
The draft state budget for 2027 must be submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the government by the end of August. Minister Alena Schillerová has increased spending for most departments and plans to cover payments for renewable energy sources, increase investment in healthcare, and fulfill the commitment of two percent of GDP for defense. Disputed items and investments in digitalization will be resolved directly by the cabinet.
Assets entrusted to asset managers in the Czech Republic or through them to foreign asset managers reached a value of 4.066 trillion crowns at the end of the second quarter of this year. This is a new record, reflecting the growing interest of Czechs in investing and the expansion of fund offerings and digital investment platforms.
Member companies of the Czech Leasing and Financial Association financed a total of three thousand three hundred twenty-three new electric vehicles in the first half of this year. Although this is an increase compared to the previous year, the share of electric vehicles in the total number of financed vehicles remains low, and the Czech Republic continues to lag behind the European Union average in the transition to electric mobility.