The former planned economies among the new EU member states are performing quite well in terms of growth. But is there a potential to improve economic growth more visibly? If yes, where are the sources or impediments to increased long-term growth? This discussion paper puts a special emphasis on microeconomic conditions for growth. This approach is often neglected in commercial market analysis. Macroeconomic stability is a necessary, but not sufficient, precondition for sustainable good growth. Improved microeconomic and institutional conditions can lead to desirable increases of the potential growth rate. All this will be necessary to meet growing global competition which also companies in EU8 countries increasingly will have to tackle.