The survey - which examined 450 companies in 8 countries - revealed a positive investment environment in Hungary according to Zoltan Gerady, lead partner of BDO Hungary. This could be the first sign of Hungary's improved regional competitiveness.

The report covered Hungary and a large number of neighbouring Balkan countries including Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Serbia, Romania and Slovenia. Data collected included predicted income, expenses, bonuses, postgraduate training costs and customer satisfaction.

Hungarian companies are ranked in the top three of most of the surveyed categories. Employee satisfaction, training costs, bonuses and growth in consumer spending compared favourably with regional competitors.

Serbian and Turkish companies predict improvement over a wide range of surveyed parameters but Hungarian companies are the most optimistic regarding inflation and unemployment whilst coming second in predicted GDP growth. Unsurprisingly Greek companies are the most pessimistic, having been hardest hit by the global financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures.