Prague,

Transcription

Prague,

Will Czech Exports
Change Direction?
Tax Reform
in the Czech Republic
Exhibitions
and Congress Tourism
Prague,
the Capital
of the Czech Republic
03-04
2008
CONTENTS
CZECH BUSINESS
AND TRADE
Economic Bi-monthly Magazine with
a Supplement is Designed for Foreign
Partners, Interested in Cooperation
with the Czech Republic
Issued
by PP AGENCY s.r.o. as an exclusive commission
for the Ministry of Industry and Trade
of the Czech Republic
EDITORIAL BOARD:
Milan Hovorka (Chairman), Ivan Angelis,
Zdena Balcerová, Jiří Eibel, Zbyněk Frolík,
Růžena Hejná, Josef Jílek, Zdeněk Kočárek,
Tomáš Kopecký, Marie Pavlů, Pavla Podskalská,
Josef Postránecký, Libor Rouček, Jiřina Semanová,
Jiří Sochor, Jarmila Škvrnová
MANAGING EDITOR:
Jakub Havel
■ INTRODUCTION
Questions of the Month for Martin Říman, Minister of Industry and Trade ..............4
■ ECONOMIC POLICY
Will Czech Exports Change Direction?.......................................................................5
■ FINANCE
Tax Reform in the Czech Republic..............................................................................7
■ LEGISLATION
Consumer Protection in the Czech Republic..............................................................9
■ CZECH TOP
TECHO Furniture Manufacturer Breaks Record after Record, Expanding
to Foreign Markets...................................................................................................11
KOPOS KOLÍN – Traditional Manufacturer of Wiring...............................................11
ACERBIS, Italy’s Renowned Manufacturer of Motorcycle Components,
Arrives in Bohemia ...................................................................................................12
EDITORS:
Jaroslava Bradová, Naďa Vávrová
■ SERVICES
Exhibitions and Congress Tourism............................................................................13
REGULAR COLLABORATORS:
Eva Tomášková
■ REGION
Prague, the Capital of the Czech Republic.........................................................20-34
TRANSLATION:
Vlasta Benešová, Alena Kenclová,
Robert Krátký, Lucie Pavlíčková, Dagmar Šímová,
Halka Varhaníková
■ PRESENTATION OF FIRMS
GOLF BRNO a.s. .........................................................................................................2
CPI Hotels, a.s. .........................................................................................................15
TOP HOTEL Praha, s.r.o. ...........................................................................................17
GRANDHOTEL PUPP Karlovy Vary, akciová společnost.............................................19
Léčebné lázně Mariánské Lázně a.s. ........................................................................19
ABF, a.s.....................................................................................................................25
Svoboda Press s.r.o...................................................................................................31
M.I.P. Group, a.s.......................................................................................................33
Agentura NKL Žofín s.r.o..........................................................................................35
PROSPER TRADING a.s.............................................................................................36
READ:
Mathew Booth, Ivana Kadlecová,
Zuzana Pavlíčková
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Helena Dvořáková, Lobby Česká republika
DEADLINE: 24/1/2008
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MK ČR E 6379, ISSN 1211-2208
„Podávání novinových zásilek povoleno
Českou poštou, s. p., odštěpný závod Přeprava,
č. j. 3468/95, ze dne 24/10/1995“
Exhibitions and Congress Tourism
Czech Technical University in Prague – Top
European Technical University
■ L E G E N D A RY M O R A V A C O N Q U E R S N O R T H P O L E
The exclusive quality of Czech aircraft was demonstrated in an unconventional manner by
aeroplane L-200A Morava, when it landed back in the Czech Republic, 51 years after the
first take-off of its prototype. Czech pilots Petr Bold and Richard Santus flew over
the North Pole in a half-century old aeroplane. In one big curving sweep they crossed all the
meridians and thus symbolically flew around the world in a matter of two minutes. The
historical machine proved its qualities in the face of the most extreme conditions. This
success serves as an important reference for Aircraft Industries (formerly Let Kunovice), the
aircraft’s manufacturer. Companies operating in the aircraft industry in the Czech Republic
are under the watchful eye of the European Space Agency at present, as the Czech Republic
is seeking to become a member of this intergovernmental organisation. Furthermore, this
success is yet another tile in the mosaic of arguments the Czech government will assert in
its efforts to locate the seat of the Galileo Supervisory Authority (GSA) in Prague.
3|
INTRODUCTION
Questions of the Month for Martin Říman,
Minister of Industry and Trade
The system has been set up in this way to
motivate people to work. In terms of
redistribution of wealth, it is fairer than the
previous system. Corporate income tax will
thus gradually decrease from 24% in 2007 to
19% in 2010. Reducing tax liability is one of
the most important criteria used by foreign
companies to assess their investment
options. In addition to its strategic
geographical location, stable legal and
business environment, and diminishing
administrative burden, the Czech Republic
can thus also offer lower taxes for the
corporate sphere.
■
Reductions in the administrative
burden are a topic which you
highlighted as your priority on
taking up office. How successful
have you been in this area?
ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF
MIREK TOPOLÁNEK’S
GOVERNMENT IS TO REDUCE
THE TAX BURDEN. HOW
SUCCESSFUL, IN YOUR VIEW AS
MINISTER AND MEMBER OF
GOVERNMENT, HAS THE
GOVERNMENT BEEN IN THIS
SENSE IN THE PAST YEAR?
The entire government declaration is
conceived so that it contributes
towards improving the living
standard of the population and
towards improving conditions for
doing business in the Czech
Republic. This naturally includes
cutting back taxes. The public
finance reform aims to boost
economic growth, reduce
unemployment, and stabilise public
finances. The tax burden will shift
from direct taxes to indirect taxes.
Examples of this include changes to
the reduced VAT rate or, for
instance, the so-called
environmental tax.
On the other hand, the personal
income tax and corporate income
tax is being reduced.
Improving conditions for doing business,
that is mainly reducing bureaucracy and
the tax burden, are government priorities
that have already brought concrete results.
I have already mentioned taxes. Concrete
steps have, however, also been made in an
effort to combat bureaucracy. An example
of this is the amendment of the Trade
Licensing Act, the most far-reaching
change to this piece of legislation in 17
years. This amendment considerably
facilitates business start-ups, whilst also
benefiting existing entrepreneurs.
■
Which other changes does the
Ministry have in store for
entrepreneurs?
Most regulations relating to tradesmen
and small entrepreneurs fall not within the
competence of the Ministry of Industry and
Trade but other ministries. We would like
to take a closer look at current legislation
in an analysis we are preparing for the April
government session. Our task is to identify
certain obligations entrepreneurs have
towards the state which could be reduced.
Today we have already identified 450
points in various fields which we suggest
should be annulled completely or
simplified considerably. And we plan to
further continue in these efforts.
We will also focus on state support
granted to foreign investors. We plan to
diminish investment incentives for the
processing industry and on the other hand
boost support granted to strategic services
We will also focus on the support the state provides for foreign investors...
We plan on increasing the support for strategic services and technology
centres.
The amendment introduces a number of
almost revolutionary changes. In particular
it abolishes the adherence of trade license
holders to a particular Trade Licensing
Office according to their address or place
of business. This was possible especially
thanks to the complete digitalisation of the
Trade License Register, i.e. the database
which holds all necessary details on trade
license holders. These data are available to
all Trade Licensing Offices in the country
and as a result, entrepreneurs are able to
address any one of the offices. We expect
this fundamental change will also have
a positive effect on the actual functioning
of individual offices as the amendment
introduces an element of competition
among them. If an entrepreneur is given
Corporate income tax will thus gradually decrease from 24% in 2007 to
19% in 2010. The tax decrease is one of the most important factors by
which foreign companies compare their investment opportunities.
|4
the option to choose which Trade Licensing
Office to address, he/she will surely opt for
the one with the highest quality of
services. Another change is the
introduction of a single unregulated trade
to encompass all trades for which
entrepreneurs are not required to hold any
special qualification. This will lead to
cutbacks in administration as well as
financial savings.
and technology centres. It has become
apparent that most investment incentives
in the Czech Republic have been targeted
at regions with the highest GDP per capita,
which instead of diminishing the gap
between the most developed and the most
stagnant regions, has on the contrary led
to a deepening of the divide. Investment
incentives in the Czech Republic have also
been directed rather at regions with a low
rate of unemployment, so in terms of
employment there has been no real
support for less developed regions.
Furthermore, analyses have shown that
rather than reducing unemployment, jobs
created by means of incentives tend to be
filled by employees from other companies
in the same branch or from other
branches. These are all valid reasons why
we should rethink the existing state of
investment incentives policy and define it
in such a way that would not permit
market distortions.
CZECH BUSINESS AND TRADE
Will Czech Exports Change Direction?
Higher exports
than
imports
resulted
in
a record foreign trade
surplus in 2007, the
highest ever in the
history of the Czech
Republic, and almost
double the surplus of
2006. The per capita
value of exports rose
from almost EUR 1 480
in 1993 to some EUR
8 645 in 2007. Over the
last fifteen years,
foreign trade turnover
has increased 5.7-fold
to EUR 174.6 billion,
ranking the Czech
Republic among the
most open economies
in the European Union.
We must take heed,
Automobile industry is the leader in Czech exports
FOREIGN TRADE STRUCTURE ACCORDING TO GROUPS OF COUNTRIES
EXPORTS – total
including:
developed market economies
of which: EU 27
of which: Germany
Slovakia
developing economies
European transition economies
Commonwealth of Independent States
of which: Russia
others 2)
of which: China
unspecified
IMPORTS – total
including:
of which: EU 27
of which: Germany
Slovakia
of which: Russia
others 2)
of which: China
unspecified
BALANCE – total
including:
of which: EU 27
of which: Germany
Slovakia
of which: Russia
others 2)
of which: China
unspecified
1)
FOB/CIF (current prices)
December 2007
January 2007 to December 2007
in EUR million index 1) in EUR million
index 1) share in %
7 068
105.2
97 764
115.0
100.0
6 350
5 946
2 075
693
270
68
311
188
52
46
18
7 111
104.3
104.7
101.6
113.3
117.1
80.1
116.5
127.5
122.4
123.6
5x
103.6
88
83
30
8
3
991
220
291
667
391
821
3 670
2 286
629
555
261
94 351
114.1
114.3
111.6
121.2
122.8
94.2
126.2
135.4
151.4
155.6
6x
113.1
91.0
85.1
31.0
8.9
3.5
0.8
3.8
2.3
0.6
0.6
0.3
100.0
5 510
4 846
1 882
376
443
17
534
404
598
588
9
-42
102.3
100.3
102.4
104.2
112.9
85.0
98.2
99.7
115.6
115.6
145.6
74
66
26
5
5
112.6
112.8
111.1
112.7
117.9
118.1
90.8
89.6
143.6
144.1
120.5
79.2
70.5
28.0
5.3
5.8
0.3
6.6
4.7
7.9
7.8
0.1
840
1 100
193
317
-172
51
-223
-216
-546
-542
8
Same period of previous year = 100
2)
China, North Korea, Cuba, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam
Source: Czech Statistical Office, 2008
6
4
7
7
3
14
16
3
3
-2
-2
-2
-6
-6
736
511
398
044
482
297
238
479
484
322
114
413
255
708
893
623
091
524
568
193
855
768
147
however. Most economists have recently
reduced their estimates of this year’s GDP
growth in the euro area, and the USA is
evidently heading towards stagnation in
the first half of the year. What is to be
done? The diversification of Czech exports
must increase. The Czech economy is
extremely open to the developed West
and, as such, it is highly dependent. A drop
of 1 percentage point in German GDP
growth slows Czech economic growth by
at least 0.5 percentage point.
A reasonable balance of economic
dependence between the East and the
West will bring new opportunities for
maintaining growth in exports – and thus
increasing the potential product.
China, India, and Russia will be the
driving force for world growth this year. In
Central and East Europe, it will be Turkey,
the Ukraine, Poland, the countries of
former Yugoslavia, and Kazakhstan. For
this reason, the Czech Republic should
place at least one-third of its exports in the
East. Last year, however, only 2.3% of total
Czech exports went to Russia, 1.5% to
other ex-Soviet countries, and a mere
0.6% to China. And yet, the Czech
Republic has excellent prerequisites to
"push the boat" eastwards. It has the
experience of economic transformation. Its
geographic location is a good card. It can
follow up traditionally good relations and
in some cases draw on the language
affinity. In general, Czech firms have
a good name in the East. Local consumers
recognise and remember a number of
Czech products, which could be helpful.
5|
Photo: ŠKODA AUTO a.s.
Is it possible to look back and
head towards the future? In the
case of orienting Czech trade
towards Eastern markets, it is.
Czech business needs to take
a bigger step towards the East
and regain the trade position it
lost in the 1990s. This is an
important part of the strategy to
maintain economic growth.
Some time ago, statistics showed
91% of exports go to developed
economies such as the euro area
and America. In January 2003,
this was "just" 69%. Foreign
trade results are at a record high
at present.
ECONOMIC POLICY
Representatives of Czech firms are
experienced in negotiations in these
countries. And what is more, Czech firms
can offer products of good quality at
reasonable prices.
Eastern markets offer dynamic growth
and large firms have partially adapted their
strategy accordingly. Škoda Holding
supplies trolleybuses to Riga and modern
trains for Saint Petersburg underground
railway. Volkswagen and Škoda plan to
launch production in Kaluga, and ČEZ is
modernising a source of production in
Gacko, Bosnia. Such endeavours should be
doubled and incorporate medium-sized
enterprises.
The idea of "more eastward exports"
depends much on policy and trade
barriers. Political diplomacy can be a great
help to enterprises just beginning to trade
in the East. According to economic studies,
trade barriers in the region thwart business
opportunities worth at least EUR 20 billion
each year. Moreover, European companies
Eastern markets offer dynamics. Large firms have adapted their strategy to this trend.
TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE OF EXPORT OF INDIVIDUAL REGIONS
OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
NUTS 3 - Regions
DME1)
of which to:
DE3)
ETE4)
CIS5)
EU25
others2)
share in %; export of the region = 100
Capital of Prague
Central Bohemia
South Bohemia
Plzeň
Karlovy Vary
Ústí nad Labem
Liberec
Hradec Králové
Pardubice
Vysočina
South Moravia
Olomouc
Zlín
Moravia-Silesia
89.6
89.9
92.9
96.6
95.2
92.3
84.6
86.3
90.5
94.1
88.6
91.3
89.9
88.8
85.5
85.1
87.0
92.7
90.6
86.3
78.5
77.2
81.8
87.4
80.0
82.9
81.3
83.7
1)
3)
5)
4.1
4.8
5.9
3.9
4.6
6.0
6.1
9.1
8.7
6.7
8.6
8.4
8.6
5.1
3.3
2.7
2.5
1.1
1.0
3.1
11.3
4.0
4.8
1.4
4.4
2.8
4.4
4.1
1.8
3.6
1.3
0.5
1.2
2.0
1.1
4.5
1.6
2.1
2.6
1.9
2.2
3.0
Others6)
4.1
3.5
3.0
1.0
2.5
2.3
2.5
4.4
2.6
2.0
3.8
3.5
3.1
3.7
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.8
0.1
0.3
0.5
0.8
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.4
are losing approximately 20% of profit as
a result of copyright breaches. And so both
companies and politicians must change
their priorities to the benefit of Czech
business. If the opportunity is not grasped
now, it will be seized by the Chinese,
Indians, and Russians themselves.
Aleš Michl
Analyst
Raiffeisenbank a.s.
(e-mail: [email protected])
Developed market economies; 2) Other developed market economies
Developing economies; 4) European transition economies
Commonwealth of Independent States; 6) China, North Korea, Cuba, Laos, Mongolia, and Vietnam
The Czech Republic’s per Capita Export in USD
12000
10000
8000
6000
Source: World Trade Organisation, Czech National Bank
|6
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
0
1993
2000
Photo: Photocombo
4000
Tax Reform in the Czech Republic
Corporate Income tax rates:
2007:
2008:
2009:
2010:
24%
21%
20%
19%
All tax-related measures
are in line with the
Lisbon agenda*). They
aim chiefly at promoting
economic growth and
employment. The tax burden
is gradually being shifted from
direct to indirect taxes. An
example of this is the increase
of VAT and environmental
taxes, compensated for by
a substantial cut in personal
and corporate income tax.
These tax measures aim in
particular to strengthen the
motivation of people to
participate actively on the
labour market.
■ C O R P O R AT E
I N C O M E TA X –
FURTHER DECREASE
O F TA X R A T E
The tax rate for corporations
has been reduced from 24%
in 2007 to 21% in 2008,
20% in 2009, and to 19% in
2010. The rate for all
withholding tax is unified at
15%. These cuts in tax rates
have been accompanied by
a certain broadening of the
tax base. Weak capitalisation
rules and limitation of
financial expenses are now
stricter. On the other hand,
extended binding rulings should help to
reduce the administrative burden and the
uncertainty of firms.
■ P E R S O N A L I N C O M E TA X –
INTRODUCTION OF SINGLE
TA X R A T E
A single tax rate of 15% on the income of
individuals has been introduced in 2008.
This rate will be reduced to 12.5% from
2009 onwards. The tax base for any
employee comprises the gross salary
increased by the employer’s health and
social insurance contributions (35% of
gross salary). In reality, the rate is
effectively around 23% of the previous tax
base, calculated for employees’ income. At
the same time, self-employed persons are
no longer permitted to deduct their social
and health insurance contributions from
their tax base.
Personal tax credit, tax credit for nonearning spouse, child payable tax credit as
well as other tax credits have been
increased significantly (the personal tax
credit increases from EUR 260 to EUR 895 in
2008 and to EUR 597 from 2009 onwards
as the tax rate decreases). This increase in
tax credits is necessary in order to maintain
7|
Photo: Photocombo
The Parliament of the Czech
Republic has approved
a proposal by the Ministries
of Finance, Labour and Social
Affairs, and Health for
a significant public finance
reform. An important constituent
of the entire package is the tax
reform.
The public finance reform should
remedy excessive general
government deficits and
gradually lead towards long-term
sustainability of public finances,
since a stable macroeconomic
environment contributes
significantly towards economic
growth.
FINANCE
ensure them the same level of tax revenue
in case they decide to exempt farmland.
■ E N V I R O N M E N TA L TA X E S –
T O W A R D S S U S TA I N A B L E
DEVELOPMENT
The Czech Republic must implement EU
legislation governing the taxation of
depletion of natural resources. New taxes
on electricity, coal and other solid fuels,
and natural gas have been introduced.
These new taxes lead to a further increase
in the share of indirect taxes.
■ E X C I S E TA X E S – T O M E E T
E U O B L I G AT I O N S
Higher rates on tobacco products have
been introduced as of 1 January 2008 to
fulfil minimum rates set by the EU.
■ A D M I N I S T R A T I O N O F TA X E S
– R E D U C I N G A D M I N I S T R AT I V E
BURDEN
In order to decrease administrative burden,
the obligation to register cash payments
using cash registers with a fiscal memory
and other related obligations have been
abolished. The businesses concerned (retail
and restaurants) are subject to standard
accounting and reporting rules only.
Peter Chrenko
Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance
(e-mail: [email protected]),
www.mfcr.cz
■ V A L U E A D D E D TA X –
R E S T R U C T U R I N G O F TA X
BURDEN
The reduced rate has increased from 5% to
|8
9%. This rate is applicable to foodstuffs,
residential housing construction,
accommodation, and passenger transport.
In support of environmentally friendly
behaviour, certain commodities (such as
biofuels) are also taxed at the reduced tax
rate. The standard rate remains at the
previous level, i.e. 19%.
■ R E A L E S TA T E TA X –
STRENGTHENING OF
SUBSIDIARITY PRINCIPLE
According to the proposal, farmland can
be made exempt from real estate tax upon
the decision of the municipality.
Furthermore, municipalities will be
permitted to set the local coefficients
determining the rate of real estate tax
imposed on buildings. This measure should
Personal income tax rates
2008: 15%
2009: 12.5%
Photo: Photocombo
the tax burden of those whose income was
up till now taxed at rates below 23% and at
19% as of 2009 respectively. The joint
taxation of spouses (income splitting) has
been abolished; nevertheless, new levels of
applicable tax credits are favourable enough
to compensate this amendment. The
minimum tax base for entrepreneurs has
been abolished as such.
In order to mitigate loss of tax revenue,
the tax base has been somewhat
broadened. However, further significant
changes to the tax base are expected in
the future.
*) The process in the European Union,
which was launched at the Lisbon
summit of the Council of Europe in
March 2000, is to make the EU "the most
competitive and dynamic knowledgebased economy in the world, capable of
sustainable economic growth with more
and better jobs and greater social
cohesion". This goal is to be achieved by
the development of the knowledge of
s o c i e t y, s u p p o r t t o r e s e a r c h a n d
development, elimination of obstacles to
the common market and improvement of
the entrepreneurial environment,
modernisation of the social model, and
support to employment and sustainable
development.
Consumer Protection in the Czech Republic
Current legislation governing
consumer protection in the
Czech Republic is based on EU
law. Fundamental pillars include
legislation on product safety,
warranty for purchased goods,
and provision of adequate
information to consumers.
Mention must be made of
provisions concerning unfair
contract terms and distance
selling contracts. Legal terms
governing consumer credits and
financial services in general are
becoming highly topical. The
consumer is also protected by
law in areas such as
telecommunications, sale of
food, and so on. Let us explore
the most important aspects.
■ PRODUCT SAFETY
In keeping with European legislation,
this area is treated primarily under
Act No. 22/1997 Coll. on technical
requirements for products, and Act No.
102/2001 Coll. on general safety of
products. These regulations are designed
to ensure products introduced to the
market or in circulation are safe in terms of
health protection. For this purpose, the
Czech Republic is engaged within the
RAPEX rapid alert system for all dangerous
non-food consumer products on the single
EU market. This system serves national
inspection bodies (in the Czech Republic –
the Czech Trade Inspection), which
respond to RAPEX alerts by conducting
inspections on the market and taking
necessary measures (such as recall of
dangerous products).
■ GOODS WARRANTY
The rights of consumers who purchase
goods in shops, i.e. from businessmen
licensed to sell goods, are protected by the
Civil Code (Act No. 40/1964 Coll.) This
regulation guarantees a warranty period of
24 months, unless stated otherwise. The
Code defines the claims consumers can
lodge if purchased goods show defects.
These include removal of the defect free of
charge or withdrawal from the contract if
the defect cannot be removed. Consumer
protection also applies to goods that fail to
meet the requirements stated in the
contract or declared by the seller, i.e. if
goods are not in accordance with the
contract of purchase.
■ C O N S U M E R I N F O R M AT I O N
The law on consumer protection (Act No.
634/1992 Coll.) obliges the seller to
provide consumers with adequate
information, for instance on the properties
of goods on sale, the terms of purchase,
possible risks etc. The seller must in no way
mislead the consumer. Particular emphasis
is given to information on the price, which
must be stated unequivocally and must not
give the impression it is lower than it
actually is. It is thus inadmissible to state
a price without VAT.
■ U N FA I R C O N T R A C T T E R M S
The Civil Code (Act No. 40/1964 Coll.)
prohibits terms of contract which
constitute a significant imbalance in the
parties’ rights and obligations to the
detriment of the consumer. Under this
provision, it is prohibited to conclude
arrangements that: omit or limit
consumers’ rights to claims for liability for
defects or for damage, that define the
contract as binding for the consumer while
the obligation of the supplier is subject to
a condition the fulfilment of which
depends solely on the will of
the supplier, that allow the
supplier to retain payments
made by the consumer even
if the consumer has not
concluded a contract with the
supplier or has withdrawn
from it, and so on. The
legislation mentioned above
aims to prevent the abuse of
superior position by businesses
and to ensure a fair balance in
the rights and obligations of
the consumer and the seller.
The Code contains a special provision concerning the remote conclusion of contracts, such as on the Internet.
The Civil Code contains
a special provision on distance
selling contracts concluded via
the Internet, teleshopping,
catalogues etc. The objective
of the provision is to allow
consumers to acquaint
themselves with goods as they
would in an ordinary shop, to
receive adequate information
necessary to make an
informed decision on the
9|
Photo: Photocombo
■ D I S TA N C E S E L L I N G
CONTRACTS
L E G I S L AT I O N
The law also stipulates the terms of consumer credits and the method of calculating the annual percentage rate of costs, and the like
■ CONTRACTS CONCLUDED
OUTSIDE PERMANENT
PREMISES
The conclusion of contracts outside the
supplier’s usual premises is often
accompanied by increased pressure on the
part of the seller and leads to rash
decisions by the consumer. For this reason,
current legislation ensures the consumer is
provided with compulsory information,
and sets a period of 14 days for possible
| 10
withdrawal from such a contract. This
applies to contracts concluded at
exhibitions, with door-to-door vendors and
so on. If the salesman fails to provide
obligatory product information, the
deadline for withdrawal from the contract
may be prolonged up to one year.
■ CONSUMER CREDIT
Heavy
household
indebtedness,
ambiguous contract terms and other
circumstances have led to the adoption of
Act No. 321/2001 Coll. on certain terms
for conclusion of consumer loans. This law
defines certain important contractual
terms of consumer credits such as the
annual percentage rate of costs, terms of
premature credit repayment etc. The main
objective of the law is to secure sufficient
information for the consumer, especially
information on all payments billed on the
basis of the contract.
■ S U R V E I L L A N C E B O D I E S,
COURTS
The observance of consumer-related laws
is monitored by a number of surveillance
bodies, including the Czech Trade
Inspection, the State Agriculture and Food
Inspection Authority, and the Czech
Telecommunication Office. In certain cases,
these bodies can impose sanctions for
breach of law, although they cannot
intervene in a dispute between the supplier
and the consumer. If a conflict cannot be
resolved by agreement, one of the parties
must appeal to a court. Since this is timeconsuming and expensive, one of the
present priorities is to put in place an
effective system of out-of-court consumer
dispute settlement.
Jana Luhanová
Consumers Defence Association of the
Czech Republic
Sdružení obrany spotřebitelů ČR – SOS
(e-mail: [email protected])
www.spotrebitele.info
Photo: Photocombo
conclusion of a contract, and to protect
provided personal data. The Code
stipulates which information must be
provided to the consumer before
a contract is concluded, and sets a period
of 14 days during which the consumer may
withdraw from the contract without
substantiation and without any sanction. If
the seller fails to provide obligatory
information, the deadline for withdrawal
from the contract may be prolonged to
three months. The Code pays special
attention to financial services concluded at
a distance.
In this section, we present and follow interesting success stories of export projects implemented by Czech businesses from
a variety of industry sectors; success that is, for the most part, founded on remarkable feats of research and innovation. We also
introduce examples of important foreign investment projects carried out in the Czech Republic.
TECHO Furniture Manufacturer Breaks Record after Record,
Expanding to Foreign Markets
TECHO, a.s. is one of the largest
providers of comprehensive
services in furnishing commercial
interiors in Central and East
Europe, as well as an important
manufacturer of office furniture
in the Czech Republic. In 2006,
the company generated its
historically highest profit, just
under EUR 1.5 million before
tax.
The company owes its dynamic
growth to growing exports in
particular. In addition to
European countries, TECHO has
gradually made its way onto
markets in Asia and Africa.
TECHO branches are located in
the United Kingdom, Romania,
Slovakia, and Hungary.
■ KEY PROJECTS
Although a specialist in fitting out
commercial interiors, TECHO also
supplies schools, medical establishments,
and offices of the state administration and
self-government. Its most important
contracts for companies in the Czech
Republic include, for instance, the
furnishings of Prague’s O 2 Arena, the
interiors of ČEZ headquarters, Hachette
Filipacchi and MAFRA publishing houses and
Faurecia manufacturing plants located in an
industrial park in south Bohemia.
In the banking sector, TECHO undertook
its first contracts in the 1990s, when it fitted
out the offices of the Czech National Bank
and Komerční banka in Prague. TECHO is
also a regular supplier of ERSTE GROUP, one
of Austria’s largest banking groups. So far,
TECHO has supplied branches of ERSTE
GROUP in the Czech Republic, Austria,
Slovakia, the Ukraine, Romania, Hungary,
Serbia, and Croatia with furniture for over
6 000 employees. A highly prestigious order
was that for interior furnishing for Queen
Margaret University College in Scotland,
completed last September. TECHO supplied
the new building with seating furniture
worth EUR 1 million for 2 500 employees.
The order was unique not only in terms of its
volume, but also in terms of the emphasis
university officials placed on environmentally
friendly methods of production and delivery.
In its bid, TECHO had to submit a number of
certificates proving its friendly approach to
the environment. Other large orders for
schools and educational institutions include
the interior furnishings of the Rajská
building at Prague’s University of Economics
(in 2005, EUR 3 million), Masaryk University
in Brno – ILBIT (EUR 1.2 million) and Queen
Mary University of London (EUR 600 000).
As concerns the health service, TECHO,
a.s. has made deliveries for medical
institutions both at home and abroad – in
Slovakia, the United Kingdom and other
countries. Past deliveries include, for
example, furnishings for the Central Military
Hospital in Prague, the Merciful Brethren
Hospital in Bratislava, and Guys Hospital in
London. In October 2005, TECHO
completed the fitting out of the Masaryk
University’s ILBIT laboratories, the largest
medical laboratories in Central Europe.
TECHO, however, does not operate
exclusively on European markets. At the
beginning of 2006, it furnished the Omar
Bongo Ondimba central hospital in
Gabon’s capital Libreville, and its activities on
the African continent are ongoing.
■ E X PA N S I O N T O E A S T
EUROPEAN MARKETS
Russia, Georgia, and the Ukraine are
a natural continuation of TECHO’s first
phase of expansion launched ten years ago.
At that time, the company opened branches
in Romania, Hungary, and the United
Kingdom. Its plan now is to open branches
in Georgia and the Ukraine; it already has
one in Moscow, however it is not yet part of
the TECHO group. The company is planning
to purchase the Moscow branch from its
current partner soon.
More at: www.techo.cz
KOPOS KOLÍN – Traditional Manufacturer of Wiring
This largest domestic
manufacturer of underground
wiring material is continuing in
its long production tradition,
dating back to 1926. In the
period between the two World
Wars, KOPOS KOLÍN held
a monopoly position in its line of
production amid keen domestic
competition.
The KOPOS production range
comprises over 5 000 different
products, grouped in five basic
segments: mounting boxes; bars and silltype trunking; flexible and rigid pipes and
protectors; fixing material; metallic cable
troughs.
The company expends large sums of
money on research and development, its
aim is to place new products and
innovations on the market each year. It is
the owner of a number of patents,
industrial and utility designs. Kopos
triumphed in the demanding world
competition of the European Organisation
for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva,
where it presented the most efficient
solution for particle accelerator screening
(used in the research of matter inception).
Intensive investment and development
activities were launched in 1994, when the
company came under new management.
Since then, the new owner has invested
more than USD 34.75 million into
modernising the building, production and
technology. Growing production and the
increasing number of workers call for
greater investment. Last year, the former
11 |
C Z E C H TO P
compressor plant underwent massive
renovation, costing more than USD
34 750, and the sales logistics department
was expanded to include a modern
extension.
The company’s domestic sales account
for nearly 60% of its economic growth,
the remaining 40% are attributable to
company exports to its subsidiaries (the
Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Russia,
Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates)
and to 30 more countries the world over.
KOPOS KOLÍN a.s. is a holder of the ISO
9001 and ISO 14001 standard certificates.
It employs 403 people in the Czech
Republic and 84 more employees in its
other subsidiaries abroad.
USD exchange rate: CZK = 28,782 (1994)
More at: www.kopos.cz
ACERBIS, Italy’s Renowned Manufacturer of Motorcycle
Components, Arrives in Bohemia
ACERBIS Italia has chosen
a brownfield not far from
Pardubice to build a plant for the
manufacture of components for
motorcycles, cars, and lorries.
They are planning to invest more
than EUR 3.6 million in the new
plant in Moravany nad Loučnou,
which will be fitted with the
latest equipment and
technologies. Some five dozen
specialists will find work there.
ACERBIS has chosen abandoned
premises for its project, occupied
in the 1970s by a local state
enterprise, which re-engineered
up to 3 000 lorry engines each
year. In later years, the
enterprise fell into decay and
gradually turned into
a brownfield. ACERBIS’
investment will not only restore
the decaying buildings, but will
offer work to several dozen
people in a branch that boasts
a long tradition in the region.
| 12
ACERBIS Italia is a leading world
manufacturer of original plastic
equipment and accessories for
motorcycles and other branches of the
automobile industry. Practically all major
manufacturers, such as Aprilia, Honda,
Ducati Motor, BMW, Caterpillar, and
Komatsu are among its customers. ACERBIS
Italia came into being 30 years ago as
a small family business specialised in the
manufacture of plastic motorcycle
components. Gradually, it developed into
a company that boasts unique branch knowhow and high designer and manufacturing
ability.
■ TO P T E C H N O L O G Y F O R T H E
CZECH REPUBLIC
The Italian investor plans to install high
technology in Moravany, developed for the
most part specifically for the Czech plant. It
will combine rotational plastic moulding
(conducted separately until now) with
injection moulding in one single process.
This procedure will significantly speed up
and simplify production. At the beginning of
the process, the mould filled with the
required quantity of loose or liquid plastics is
placed into a furnace. By heating the
material, it liquefies and the matter is
distributed evenly into all parts of the mould
by means of centrifugation. When the
mould cools down, the product is practically
finished, without the need for any further
surface treatment.
"In comparison with conventional
procedures, this unique technology is more
productive, cheaper, and friendlier towards
the environment. Where production
previously required two to three steps, now
only a single step is needed for moulding
and foaming. The product needs no
painting, as it acquires its colour from the
initial material. This makes it possible to
manufacture hollow plastic components of
nearly all shapes, however complicated,
without internal stress and the need to weld
several parts together to complete the
piece," Stefano Goisis, Managing Director of
ACERBIS CZECH s.r.o. explains. In Moravany,
ACERBIS will primarily manufacture fuel
tanks and seats for the motorcycle market. It
will also produce tanks for other types of
vehicles - lorries, construction, road-building
and farming machines. In future, rotational
moulding technology will enable ACERBIS to
extend manufacture to luxury design
furniture, for example.
■ S T R AT E G I C P O S I T I O N
"We have decided to invest in the Czech
Republic, as this country offers an ideal
position in the middle of Western, Central
European and East European markets,
bringing us closer to all our customers,"
Stefano Goisis adds. "We envisage the
Czech branch will not be a mere
manufacturing plant, but will gradually take
over from the Italian centre to manage the
complete care of customers who buy its
products."
In the first four years, new employees will
undergo intensive training. The first workers
will attend courses in Italy, and the rest will
be trained in Moravany. The company is
planning to cooperate with local schools and
enable students to spend some time directly
in production. The most skilful ones will be
offered employment. This will help develop
the local educational system, allowing it to
adapt naturally to the new needs of the
regional labour market.
More at: www.acerbis.com
Ivan Kotek
phone: +420 223 323 942
mobile phone: +420 606 738 574
www.acerbis.com
Exhibitions and Congress Tourism
Exhibitors are becoming real masters
in devising appropriate methods and
concepts of installing and operating
their exhibitions. The organisers, for their
part, have learned to better respond to the
needs of both firms and visitors, thus
raising the standard of trade fairs as
a whole. Firms consider very carefully
which fair has the greatest potential of
fulfilling their expectations and which
additional benefits organisers can offer
them. In future, organisers will have to
focus more on quality of services, on
finding inspiration to expand their services,
and to present them with the assistance of
skilled personnel.
■ NEW TRENDS IN
EXHIBITIONS
New trends can be observed in the
organisation of fairs and exhibitions,
responding more aptly to exhibitors’
needs. The transparency of the Czech
exhibition market is improving as a result
of the increasing number of audited fairs
and exhibitions. The infrastructure of
exhibition grounds, too, is improving and
the performance of the Czech trade fair
industry is becoming stabilised. As a result,
trade fairs and exhibitions are becoming
more international in character.
Trade fairs and exhibitions are also
becoming increasingly specialised,
especially new events. Rich accompanying
programmes are practically a matter of
course. Organisers bear in mind the
growing importance of supplementary
services for exhibitors, both domestic and
foreign. Modern audio-visual programmes,
which make the exhibitions more
illustrative, are becoming increasingly
popular. Trade fairs are able to assume an
advisory role in helping companies find
their bearings on the market. The standing
of the trade fair industry is also being
promoted by the professional press.
■ THE FUTURE OF TRADE
FA I R S I N T H E C Z E C H
REPUBLIC
The Czech trade fair industry is a living and
developing organism. Surveys show
a slight increase across all indicators in
recent years. Large exhibitions have
a stable concept, design, organisers and
exhibitors. The flagship of Brno Trade Fairs,
the largest fair ground in the Czech
Republic, is the International Engineering
Fair (www. bvv.cz/msv). Other fairs of
international importance include the Idet
Defence and Security Technology
Exhibition (www. bvv.cz/idet) and the
group of Construction Fairs (www.b
vv.cz/ibf). Holešovice Exhibition Ground is
the venue for the Holiday World, Central
Europe’s premier tourism industry event
(www.holidayworld.cz); Prague
PVA Letňany Exhibiton Centre
(www.pva.cz) for the FOR ARCH
construction fair (www.
forarch.cz), or the FOR
INDUSTRY (www.forindustry.cz)
event.
■ C O N G R E S S TO U R I S M
The congress industry in the
Czech
Republic
is
an
independently developing
segment of the tourist industry.
It is one of the most dynamically
growing economic branches
worldwide. Evidence of this is
the huge investment being
aimed at the congress
infrastructure. Prague itself is
proof of the fact that such
investment is definitely worth
the money.
During a relatively short time,
Prague has become a world
congress destination, with
modern hotels that offer a wide
range of services, conference
The flagship of Brno Fairs, the largest fair complex in the Czech Republic, is the International Engineering Fair.
13 |
Photo: Veletrhy Brno a.s.
Fairs and exhibitions are still
among the most suitable forums
for seeking new business
contacts and testing new sales
possibilities. The interest of
Czech and foreign companies in
displaying their goods at
domestic fairs depends on the
particular branch, but in general
the popularity of trade fairs and
exhibitions is certainly not on
the decline. Fairs are far from
outdated even in the era of the
Internet and new forms of
promotion. They are a specific
part of marketing
communication, irreplaceable on
the world scale in defined
business segments. It is therefore
no surprise to see certain
important businesses revert to
trade fairs for the promotion of
their products, activities, and
services.
SERVICES
rooms, and required technical equipment.
In order to meet changing requirements,
the Prague Congress Centre has
undergone wide-ranging modernisation.
■ EXCELLENT GEOGRAPHICAL
L O C AT I O N W I T H I N E A S Y
REACH
The Congress Centre in Prague
standard spa stays. The country’s historical
monuments are admired by educated
travellers fond of architecture, and the
large number of mineral springs is
appreciated by even the most discerning of
spa guests. The combination of these
factors, available congress facilities and
high-quality of accompanying services are
an ideal prerequisite for the holding of
international congresses.
■ EXPERIENCE IN
ORGANISING EVENTS
The Czech Republic has received excellent
SURVEY OF TRADE FAIRS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
www.expo.cz
www.veletrhyavystavy.cz
ORGANISERS OF TRADE FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS
Veletrhy Brno, a.s.
Incheba Praha spol. s r.o.
Výstaviště České Budějovice, a.s.
ABF Praha, a.s.
Výstavy Litoměřice spol. s r.o.
MIP GROUP, a.s.
Terinvest, spol. s r.o.
Ostravské výstavy, a.s.
Výstaviště Flora Olomouc, a.s.
Svět knihy, s.r.o.
AC EXPO s.r.o.
Progres Partners Advertising, spol. s r. o.
www.bvv.cz
www.incheba.cz
www.vcb.cz
www.abf.cz
www.zahrada.cech.cz
www.mip.cz
www.terinvest.com
www.cerna-louka.cz
www.flora-ol.cz
www.svetknihy.cz
www.acexpo.cz
www.ppa.cz
BRANCH ASSOCIATIONS
SOVA ČR – Association of Fair and Exhibition Organisers
(Společenstvo organizátorů veletržních a výstavních akcí)
AVF – Association of Exhibition Companies
(Asociace výstavářských firem)
| 14
www.czechfairs.cz
www.avfcr.cz
references in recent years, when it
organised a number of prestigious
international congresses and conferences.
One of the most important and most
prestigious events on a global scale was
the annual meeting of the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group
in September 2000. Another event of
great importance was the NATO Summit in
Autumn 2002 and the meeting of the
International Olympic Committee in 2003.
In 2006, the Prague Congress Centre
hosted the ASTA International Destination
Expo, often referred to as the "Tourism
Olympics".
A number of important world
companies
and
special-interest
associations also held their congresses and
conferences here, including the Microsoft
Security Summit in 2004, the 16th Annual
Euro Meeting of the Drug Information
Association in March 2004, and the
14th European Congress of Clinical
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Last
year it was the Astronomy Congress or the
International Congress of Andrology at the
Štiřín chateau. This year, Prague will
welcome the international congress of
monitoring agencies FIBEP (Fédération
Internationale des Bureaux d’Extraits de
Presse). For 2010, Prague has submitted its
candidacy for the annual IAF (International
Astronautical Federation) congress. In
addition to large events with up to
a thousand participants, hundreds of
smaller conferences and congresses are
held in the Czech Republic.
Photo: CzechTourism
Prague had been a host to many
international congresses and conferences
even before the fall of the communist
regime in 1989, thanks especially to its
historical and cultural attractions and the
recognition of the high professional
standard of the country’s scientific workers
and specialists. Their position and
influence in a number of international
organisations and institutions has been
instrumental in bringing several important
conferences and congresses to Prague.
With its geographical location in the
very centre of Europe, the Czech Republic
is an ideal venue for inter national
meetings, congresses, and incentive
programmes. This is attested by the
continuous expansion of Prague airport.
Fifty-eight regular airlines use the airport,
which operates direct flights to more than
100 destinations worldwide. The Czech
capital is also an important destination for
many low-cost airlines. You can get to the
Czech Republic easily, quickly, and cheaply.
At the same time, the Czech Republic is
a safe destination. It is an ideal place for
active tourism, and thanks to the great
variety and quality of its cultural and
architectural sites, also for sightseeing and
special-interest tourism, as well as high-
■ GROWING INTEREST
Interest in organising congresses and
incentive events in the Czech Republic has
been on the rise in recent years. The
country offers unique possibilities as it can
combine the best of local culture, history,
and natural conditions with top-standard
congress facilities. With the gradual
development
of
the
necessary
infrastructure and wide-ranging congress
services, the congress industry in the Czech
Republic and especially in Prague (which
accounts for more than 90% of the
congress industry in the Czech Republic)
has become a serious rival to many
destinations both in Europe and worldwide
in attracting international events. The
growing range of congress services on the
Czech market has created a strong
competition for foreign service providers
which has led to the fact that the general
standard of domestic services has bridged
the gap with those provided at other
destinations in the world and prerequisites
have been met for a further development
of the congress industry in the Czech
Republic. Dozens of luxury hotels and
conference centres that measure up well
with international standards in terms of
quality and capacity can be found not only
in Prague, but also in other Czech towns.
■ P R AG U E ’ S AT T R AC T I O N S
What attracts congress visitors to Prague
most is the capital’s wealth of historical
sites and local culture. Although Prague
boasts some of the world’s best preserved
historical monuments, visitors need not
fear a lack of comfort: Highly modern
facilities suitable for holding congresses
can be found in the close vicinity of
historical monuments, and the number of
top-standard hotels increases each year.
Other positive factors include
Prague’s character as an academic city and
the favourable geo-political location of the
Czech Republic which renders Prague an
economic gateway to Central and East
Europe and a base for further expansion.
Co-operation with the Professional
LIST OF CITIES ORDERED BY THE
NUMBER OF CONGRESS EVENTS
IN 2006
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9–10
9–10
City
Vienna
Paris
Singapore
Barcelona
Berlin
Budapest
Seoul
Prague
Copenhagen
Lisbon
Number of events
147
130
127
103
91
86
85
82
69
69
Source: ICCA
Congress Organiser (PCO) is another
important factor, which has resulted in
significant growth of demand for
practically all kinds of congress services,
including company conferences, different
meetings and incentives.
■ G O O D AVA I L A B I L I T Y
O F C O N G R E S S S PA C E
The availability of space for holding
15 |
SERVICES
Huge investment goes into the congress infrastructure, mainly in Prague
heritage site Municipal House (www.
obecnidum.cz) offers 15 conference rooms
with a total capacity of 1 000 places in the
■ A C C O M PA N Y I N G
PROGRAMMES
PRAGUE CONGRESS TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Many professional congress organisers are members of the Prague Congress Tourism
Association. On the websites of this company you will find references to travel agencies
specialising in the provision of congress and conference services in the Czech Republic as
well as direct contacts to hotels suitable for holding congresses.
More at: www.pragueconvention.cz
Congress Centre (www.kcp.cz). Between
1998 and 2000, the building underwent
radical renovation and modernisation.
A new multi-purpose building was
splendid interior of its Art Nouveau
building. The magical atmosphere of
historic Prague can be felt in the
conference rooms of the Neo-Renaissance
WHAT ATTRACTS CONGRESS ORGANISERS
– Prague as a historic city
– Prague as the business gateway and capital for expansion to Central Europe
– Prague as an academic city
completed offering vast hotel and office
space. The centre has 20 large and 50
small rooms with a seating capacity
ranging between 12 and 2 764 guests.
With its large choice of conference,
banquet, and exhibition rooms and
a range of accompanying services, the
Centre is the largest and most
comprehensive provider of congress and
conference services on the Czech market.
Exclusive space for conferences,
congresses, and other business events, but
also for representative balls and other
social functions, can be found in other
locations as well. The national cultural
| 16
their disposal five conference rooms with
an overall seating capacity of 2 360.
building of Žofín (www.zofin.cz), which
was given its present appearance in 1886.
It
underwent
reconstruction
in
1992–1994. By far the greatest treat the
Czech Republic can offer for holding
congresses and conferences is the Prague
Castle (www.hrad.cz). Organisers have at
Accompanying programmes are an
inseparable part of comprehensive
organisation services. In this respect, the
Czech Republic is a real master. Not only the
capital of Prague, but also other cities and
places in the Czech Republic offer their
visitors a large number of cultural sights,
concerts, theatre performances, galleries, and
museums. There are also many opportunities
for active tourism and a wide range of
sporting activities in the Czech Republic.
■ AC C O M M O DAT I O N
One of the undeniable advantages of
organising congresses in the Czech
Republic is the ratio between the value of
services and their price. Organisers will find
the cost of highly professional services very
moderate indeed. This is even more so if
you decide to hold your conference or
congress in a place other than the capital –
prices in the regions are lower by as much
as several dozen per cent, while the
standard of services remains high. As
regards accommodation, organisers prefer
higher-category hotels. Most of them are
located in Prague. However, other Czech
According to the statistics of the International Congress and Convention Association
(ICCA), which CzechTourism, the state agency for the support of tourism, has been
a member of since 2004, the Czech Republic ranks 14th in international comparisons in
terms of the number of participants at congresses organised by international associations,
with Prague in the 6th place. In terms of the number of events, according to ICCA, the
Czech Republic occupies the 15th position and Prague ranks 8th.
Photo: CzechTourism
congresses and conferences and a good
range of services are essential in meeting
organisers’ requirements. The list of places
suitable for holding congresses in the
Czech Republic includes facilities with
a capacity of more than 5 000 persons. The
centres are scattered all over the country
and are prepared to host any number of
guests, their individual capacity ranging up
to 9 000 guests.
Rooms for both large congresses and
smaller seminars are fitted with the latest
equipment, excellent audio-visual facilities,
providing
both
comfort
and
professionalism. The available comfort,
luxury, technical fittings, logistic knowhow, and professional service will satisfy
even the most discerning clientele from all
over the world. Overall, congress facilities
in the Czech Republic have a capacity of
nearly 50 000 guests, all fitted with
modern equipment.
One of the largest and most important
congress centres in Europe is the Prague
TOP HOTEL Praha and ALBION HOTEL for Your Conferences
and Business Trips to Prague
TOP HOTEL Praha belongs to
the largest hotel complexes in
Europe. It provides highstandard accommodation,
cuisine, and congress services.
Its congress centre, which is
one of the largest in the Czech
Republic, has a total of 5 000
seats! This makes it an ideal
venue of congresses of all types.
Many important events have
taken place in the
multifunction congress hall
with 2 000 seats. These included
world and European medical
congresses, congresses arranged
by the European Union,
conferences and other events
of prestigious companies such
as Microsoft and Generali. The
hotel has another
4 conference halls and
14 small lounges with
variable arrangement. Highspeed Wi-Fi Internet connection
is available throughout the
complex. The hotel offers
accommodation in 930 four-star
rooms in various price
categories from standard to
presidential suite.
The hotel catering service has scored
success abroad, for instance at
embassies in Brussels and Berlin. The
guests have at their disposal
5 restaurants and terraces, which are
a favourite venue of garden parties
and barbecues for up to 1 000
persons! A pride of the hotel is a unique
large Japanese-style garden with
fountains. Guests can also make use of
the rich offer of sports and relaxation
facilities – a wellness centre with an
indoor swimming pool, fitness and
beauty parlour, massages including those
of the Thai type, tennis courts, bowling
and casino.
A younger partner of TOP HOTEL
Praha is the ALBION HOTEL, which was
opened in a quiet villa quarter near
the centre of Prague in 2006. It soon
became a sought place for pleasant
accommodation and for company
conferences and events. The hotel offers
290 rooms and 600 seats for congresses.
It has 2 conference halls and 4 lounges,
2 restaurants, Lobby Bar with a fireplace,
and a terrace with a barbecue.
Both hotels provide complete services
for congresses, conferences, incentive
programmes, and company events
including accompanying activities. The
offer of services belongs to the broadest
provided at hotels in the Czech Republic.
We offer everything under one roof.
www.albionhotel.cz
www.tophotel.cz
17 |
SERVICES
■ THE LARGEST CONFERENCE
H OT E L S
in Prague:
– Top Hotel (capacity 5 000/2 000)
(www.tophotel.cz)
– Hotel Hilton Prague (3 000/1 350)
(www.prague.hilton.cz)
– Orea Hotel Pyramida (1 200/500)
(www.orea.cz)
– Hotel Intercontinental (800/580)
(www.intercontinental.com)
– Andel’s Hotel (530/400)
(www.andelshotel.com)
in the regions:
– Babylon Centre – Liberec (5 000/1500)
(www.centrumbabylon.cz)
_ Amber Hotel Černigov – Hradec Králové
(800/500) (www.amberhotels.cz)
– Hotel Bobycentrum – Brno (1 700/1 400)
(www.bobycentrum.cz)
– Orea Hotel Voroněž – Brno (1 100/700)
(www.orea.cz)
– RCO Hotel – Olomouc (1 000/600)
(www.rco.cz)
– Hotel Atom – Ostrava (650/400)
(www.atom.cz)
THE LARGEST CONGRESS HALLS:
PRAGUE
–
–
–
–
–
–
O2 Arena (www.o2arena.cz) (17 000/17 000)
Prague Congress Centre (www.kcp.cz) (9 000/2 764)
Fair Palace (www.ngprague.cz) (3 300/2 000)
Prague Castle (www.hrad.cz) (1 700/600)
Municipal House (www.obecnidum.cz) (1 425/432)
Palace Žofín (www.zofin.cz) (830/350)
REGIONS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
–
–
–
–
–
Aldis Congress Centre – Hradec Králové (www.aldis.cz) (2 550/1 170)
Congress Centre – Plzeň (www.parkhotel-plzen.cz) (1 650/1 000)
Exhibition Grounds – Brno (www.kcbrno.cz) (1 300/450)
Akord Culture Centre – Ostrava (1 050/570)
Congress Centre – Brno (880/294)
Note: The figures in brackets show the total capacity and the capacity of the largest hall.
in spa towns:
– Thermal Spa Hotel – Karlovy Vary
(1 950/1 200) (www.thermal.cz)
– Conference Casino – Mariánské Lázně
(740/450) (www.marienbad.cz)
– Grandhotel Pupp – Karlovy Vary
(700/475) (www.pupp.cz)
– Priessnitz – Jeseník (650/400)
(www.priessnitz.cz)
■ C H AT E AU X
The unique character of the Czech Republic
is best demonstrated by the variety of
venues suitable for holding conferences.
Among other places, organisers have the
choice of dozens of historical buildings.
– Congress Centre Litomyšl
(www.esclitomysl.cz) (1 100/200)
– Nelahozeves (www.nelahozeves.cz)
(980/750)
– Český Krumlov (www.ckrumluv.cz)
– Štiřín (www.stirin.cz) (700/500)
– Zbiroh (www.zbiroh.com) (570/300)
– Jemniště (www.jemniste.cz) (520/300)
– Dobříš (www.zamekdobris.cz) (400/200)
– Mikulov (www.mikulov.cz) (370/300)
Interest in the arrangement of various congresses and incentive events in the Czech Republic has been increasing recently
| 18
Photo: CzechTourism
cities and towns such as Brno, Ostrava,
Karlovy Vary, and Hradec Králové are also
ready to host events. The tranquillity of
castles and chateaux, such as Český
Krumlov, Nelahozeves, Sychrov, and
Mikulov is becoming increasingly popular.
REGION
Prague, the Capital of the Czech Republic
Magistrát hl. m. Praha
(Prague City Hall)
Mariánské nám. 2
110 01 Praha 1
Czech Republic
phone: +420 236 001 111
www.praha-mesto.cz
| 20
GERMANY
POLAND
Prague
SLOVAKIA
AUSTRIA
T E R R I TO R I A L D I V I S I O N,
L O C AT I O N, P O P U L AT I O N
■
In terms of the administrative division of
the country, Prague is a region like the
other 13 territorial units. Prague is also
a statutory city managed by the City
Assembly headed by the Mayor. It is
divided up into 58 self-governing city
districts managed by 22 higher
administrative districts with encharged
municipal offices.
Prague districts include the typical city
centre, districts with residential character
of apartment houses dating mainly from
the 1920s and 1930s, those with
a prevailing industrial character, pre-fab
housing estates, or districts with
a suburban character, many of which
originated by the gradual joining of the
surrounding villages. These districts differ
from one another in their level of
urbanisation, population density, quality of
technical infrastructure, and socio-
The Art Nouveau building of the Municipal House
economic conditions for their inhabitants.
Important differences also exist in their
population. Whereas four districts exceed
100 000 inhabitants, 21 districts do not
reach 2 000, of which 5 have less than 500
inhabitants.
Prague is situated in the centre of the
Bohemian Highlands and from the
geographical viewpoint, it can be
considered the heart of Europe. It is
located almost in the centre of the
continent, with approximately the same air
distance from the three seas: the Baltic Sea
(365 km), the North Sea (495 km), and the
Adriatic Sea (490 km). Prague is the largest
city in the Czech Republic. It is located on
an area of 496 sq. m, just 0.6% of the
country‘s territory. However, the number
of its inhabitants at 1 204 897 represents
11.6% of the total population. Its
population is more than three times that of
Brno, the country’s second largest city.
Prague is the country’s capital. Its role as
Photo: CzechTourism
In connection with the accession
of the Czech Republic to the EU,
eight statistical territorial units
known as NUTS 2 have been
created in the Czech Republic in
accordance with the binding
Regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council on
the establishment of a common
classification of territorial units
for statistics, or NUTS. The
purpose of these units is to help
evaluate and objectively compare
different European regions,
especially with regard to drawing
from EU structural funds.
a natural centre of politics, international
relations, education, culture, and
economics is a result of this fact. It is also
an important Central European city, which
has once more become clear, especially in
recent years. Since the beginning of the
1990s, the barriers built up over decades
between countries, regions, and towns of
the European East and West have been
removed. As the Czech Republic has
integrated into the newly formed
European geopolitical space, Prague has
again begun to play a unique role.
Prague is also the centre of the Prague
Region and home to 1.2 million people.
However, it is also part of the socioeconomic population structure of the entire
country. All of these aspects are reflected in
the specific character and position of
Prague as one of the Czech regions.
ECONOMIC
CHARACTERISTICS
■
Picturesque view of the Lesser Town towers from the historic Charles Bridge
pharmaceuticals), electrotechnology,
printing and film, as well as food
processing and beer brewing. The number
of industrial companies is gradually falling,
whereas profits from industry have grown.
A rising trend in construction can be
observed in recent years. The number of
construction firms, as well as the volume
of construction, has been on the rise,
accounting for over one-third of all
construction in the Czech Republic. In
2006, the share of construction work
based on supply contracts accounted for
36% of the overall national volume. Retail
and distribution have undergone
extraordinary development. The traditional
concentration in Prague’s centre and the
sector’s overall insufficiency have improved
thanks to privatisation and later due to the
construction of hypermarkets on the city
outskirts and new shopping malls in the
city centre.
TO U R I S M , A N E S S E N T I A L
CONSTITUENT OF ECONOMIC
GROWTH
■
Recently, tourism has become one of the
most dynamic sectors and an important
pillar of the city’s economic development.
Last year, Prague was visited by a record
number of incoming foreign tourists. Over
4 million, with 10.3 million overnight stays.
■
LABOUR MARKET
The situation on the labour market is
directly related to the country’s economic
21 |
Photo: CzechTourism
In terms of the Region’s economic
performance, the capital city of Prague
occupies an absolutely privileged position.
The Prague Region generates almost
a quarter of the country’s GDP, accounting
for 24.3% of the national GDP. The high
value of this indicator is typical for large
cities. It is influenced by circumstances
closely related to the economic conditions
of life in these densely populated towns.
These conditions include a different
economic structure compared with other
regions, higher wages, but also extensive
commuting, as well as the location and
seat registration of important companies
within the city. The Region’s overall exports
are dominated significantly by machinery
and transport vehicles (50.4%), mineral
fuels and related materials (14.3%) and
industrial consumer goods (10.1%).
The basic economic restructuring, which
has considerably accelerated in the past
five years, is reflected in the changes of the
sector structure of Prague’s economy.
Long-lasting growth in the services sector
and the decrease in production sectors are
typical features marking the development
of Prague’s economic foundation. Tertiary
sectors currently represent more than 82%
of added value. Employment in this sphere
is also considerably higher in Prague. On
the contrary, the share of production
sectors in generating added value and
employment in Prague is markedly below
the national average. Prague, however, still
maintains a wide array of production
branches, including heavy and light
machinery (engines, trucks, and
tramways), chemistry (tyres, varnishes, and
REGION
is currently undergoing restructuring. Vast
abandoned complexes are being recovered
and freed lots are being given a new
function. The so-called development areas,
which also offer possibilities for investors,
are part of the city’s development plan. For
instance the Holešovice-Bubny area
belongs to the so-called large development
territory, which, based on a 1990s urban
competition, was designated in the
territorial plan as an area targeted for
area’s original industrial complexes into
mixed or residential housing areas.
The territorial plan marks the
easternmost part of this locality, which
encompasses the Holešovice port, for the
development of administrative buildings
and residential housing, provided that the
port continues to serve its purpose. A vast
area in the meander of the Vltava River,
closely connected with the historical
quarters of Karlín and Libeň, is another
The city’s big investment into the infrastructure creates
excellent conditions for smooth involvement of investors in the
development of housing and mixed construction.
the expansion of Prague’s central
infrastructure. Railroad lots, which will
gradually be freed up are reserved for this
purpose. In addition to mixed business and
housing, a university campus is foreseen
here, as well as a large central park. This
location has also increased in significance
as a potential space for activities related to
the Olympics in connection with
Prague’s candidature to host the Summer
significant development area in the
city centre. The proposed development of
residential and mixed housing on an area
of approximately 200 000 sq. m in Karlín
follows on to the River City administrative
centre
(www.rivercity.cz),
where
construction is already underway. The area
of Maniny offers possibilities for a larger
complex of buildings that would be of
value to the entire city and would offer
sports and recreational activities connected
to the river. In the surroundings of the
Invalidovna underground station, an area
of approximately 190 000 sq. m is planned
for use. The plan also includes the
completion and expansion of the centre of
the Libeň quarter at the far end of the
Libeň Bridge with a considerable number
of residential buildings and green spaces
linked to the Palmovka underground
station. A surface area of approx. 400 000
sq. m is allocated for this area and
a project for the further construction in the
Libeň docks is also in the pipeline. The city
is backing the area’s development with an
extensive preliminary investment. This
investment is to ensure the completion of
buildings so that investors’ participation is
problem free.
■
Panorama of Prague as seen from the park on Petřín Hill
companies, 188 state-owned businesses,
96 283 commercial companies, and 5 715
cooperatives.
■ FURTHER DEVELOPMENT –
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
I N V E S TO R S
Industry in Prague is losing employees and
| 22
Olympic Games in 2016. Intensive housing
construction in the area is subject to the
completion of anti-flood protection
measures and the construction of an
important city ring connecting the Strahov
tunnel, Pelc–Tyrolka. A series of
transformation objectives have already
been drawn up. They aim to change the
TRANSPORT
The markedly central location and
attractiveness of Prague, both within the
Czech Republic and Europe-wide, renders
the city an important destination, as well
as a junction of many transit roads. In the
past, Prague has been an important centre
of international transport for the west-east
and north-south directions. At the same
time, it is the largest transport junction
interconnecting the country's regions. The
capital is also the central point of all
motorways. The most important of these
are: the D 1 connecting Prague, Brno, and
Photo: CzechTourism
capacity. Prague is the largest regional
labour market in the country. Until now,
the typical features of development have
been, on the one hand, the attractiveness
of Prague’s labour market location and, on
the other, the city’s ability to meet
increasing demand. This is attributable to
the considerable professional mobility of
domestic human resources, as well as to
the growing availability of foreign workers.
The 2006 unemployment rate was just
2.72% in the capital, in contrast to the
7.67% country average.
Compared to other regions, Prague’s
workforce offers a far higher qualification
level. More than a quarter of its employees
are university-educated, and these numbers
have seen a steady increase in recent years.
The South Moravia Region has 12.6%
inhabitants with university background,
which is the second largest regional share.
The average salary in Prague is also markedly
higher than in other regions. In 2006, it
reached EUR 952 compared to the national
average of EUR 758.
At the close of 2006, the companies
register contained 437 882 business
entities, 271 263 of which were
MAIN EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS OF THE PRAGUE INFRASTRUCTURE
V˘‰kov
Teplice
Dresden
Dûãín
Hamburg
Ústí n. L.
Liberec
Berlin
Germany
Mladá Boleslav
Sczecin
Chomutov
Chemnitz
Mûlník
Germany
(transit)
Hradec Králové
Poland
Káran˘
Karlovy Vary
Marktredwitz, Plauen
H. Králové
Warsaw
T˘nec
Chvaletice
Switching
station Bohemia
Karlovy Vary
Ostrava, Katowice
Brno, Vienna, Budapest
Hradec
Prosenice
PlzeÀ
Germany
Slapy
PlzeÀ
Nuremberg
Munich
PlzeÀ
Nuremberg
Strakonice
Passau
Îelivka
âeské Budûjovice
Koãín
Linz
Temelín
Russia
Slovakia
(transit)
Brno
Slovakia
Austria
Brno
Bratislava, Vienna
Veselí n. L.
Source: The Strategic Concept Section of the City Development Authority Prague
Example of modern architecture – the so-called Dancing House
purposes (on a 30.5-kmlong route between
Zbraslav and Sedlec). The
former uses three ports in
Prague, the latter eleven
docks (www.paroplavba.cz).
Air transport, both
passenger and cargo, is
mainly concentrated at
the
Prague-Ruzyně
airport. Last year a total of
11.5 million passengers
passed through the
airport. Over 50 airline
companies
currently
operate at the airport,
providing regular connections, to almost 120
destinations worldwide
(www.letiste-praha.cz).
Prague has a relatively
good public transportation system, the backbone of which is formed
by the underground and
a network of tramways.
Each year, approximately
1 billion passengers use
public transport. The
persistent need to make
the public system more
attractive has led to the
gradual creation of the
Prague integrated transport system. At
present, it operates to the distance of 35
km from Prague’s outer city limits, reaching
a large area of the Central Bohemia Region
(www.dp-praha.cz).
■
C U LT U R E A N D E D U C A T I O N
The Czech capital is the country’s most
significant
municipal
monument
reservation. In 1992, the historical centre
of Prague (866 ha) was entered in the
UNESCO World Heritage List (www.
unesco.cz). The capital has a unique array
of monuments including Prague Castle,
which overlooks the city. It offers all sorts
of artistic styles and movements. The
historical centre is situated on both banks
of the Vltava River within six quarters,
formerly independent towns, unified in the
18th century. They include: Staré Město
(the Old Town), Josefov (the preserved part
of the former Jewish Town, today part of
the Old Town), Nové Město (the New
Town), Malá Strana (the Lesser Town),
Hradčany, and Vyšehrad. This is the
location of the greatest concentration of
historical monuments, museums, and
galleries.
The capital city has the largest number
of monuments, 81 museums, 120
galleries, 70 theatres, and 85 public library
branches. Significant international events
23 |
Photo: CzechTourism
Bratislava; the D 5 connecting Prague and
Nuremberg; the D 8 connecting Prague,
Dresden, and Berlin; the D 3 connecting
Prague, České Budějovice, and Austria;
and the D 11 connecting Prague, Hradec
Králové, and Poland. Motorways in the city
itself span only 11 km; they are, however,
connected to other faster communications
(76 km). The total length of Prague’s
communication network is 3 400 km.
Prague is also an important
international railway junction. It is part of
the 4th multimodal corridor of Berlin Prague - Bratislava, which also includes the
route from Prague to Nuremberg. There
are 10 main railway lines that form the
backbone of the railway network
(www.vlak.cz). Emphasis mainly focuses on
developing railway transport at the
European level (Eurocity) and at the same
time at restricting lines with undercapacity. Reconstruction of key railway
lines is being prepared for express trains,
aiming to ensure a high degree of comfort
on long-distance journeys, especially for
international travel.
The Vltava River is used both for
transporting goods, and for recreational
REGION
which take place in Prague each year
include the Prague Spring music festival,
the European Film Days festival, the
International Book Fair, and the Book
World Prague literary festival.
Prague has always been a major investor
in culture and a generous sponsor of various
cultural and artistic activities. Its annual
expenditure on culture exceeds EUR 36
million, almost 5% of the entire city budget.
Prague culture is closely connected with
its monuments as with the day-to-day life
of local artists and visitors to cultural
events. The Bertramka Villa in Prague is
a splendid building where Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart spent the most
wonderful moments of his short life and
where in 1787 he completed Don Giovanni
– one of the world's best operas. Prague
E u ro p e a n U n i o n a w a rd e d t h e t i t l e
European Capital of Culture 2000. More
information on monuments, including
virtual tours, is available at: www.pis.cz.
Regarding other aspects of social life,
Prague also ranks high in terms of
education level. It may be considered the
n a t i o n a l c e n t re o f e d u c a t i o n . T h e
concentration of schools from secondary
level education onwards is higher here
than in the rest of the country. Among the
regions, Prague has the highest number of
grammar schools and secondary
professional schools. In terms of university
education, the position of the capital is
unique. It is the seat of 17 universities, the
most renowned of which include Charles
University, founded as early as 1348
(www.cuni.cz), the Czech Technical
University (www. cvut.cz), the Institute of
Chemical Technology (www.vscht.cz), the
University of Economics (www.vse.cz), and
the Czech University of Life Sciences
(www.czu.cz).
R E C E N T N O TA B L E
INVESTMENT
■
Accenture (USA), shared services centre –
2006
Deutsche Boerse (Germany), software
development – 2006
InBev (Belgium), shared services centre –
2006
SITA (Switzerland), IT, software centre –
2007
Skype Technologies (Luxembourg),
software development – 2006
GE Aviation (USA), aviation – 2007
S E L E C T E D F I R M S W I T H F O R E I G N I N V E S T O R PA R T I C I PAT I O N
Investor
Country of origin
Czech partner
Sector
Contact
SAP AG
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Accenture Central Europe B.V
Sun Microsystems International, Inc.
ARIBA INTERNATIONAL
HOLDINGS, INC.
RICARDO UK LIMITED
Deutsche post International B.V.
Google International LLC
Microsoft Corporation
YVES ROCHER INTERNATIONAL
ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical
BVBA
Zentiva N.V.
Burda Verlag Osteuropa GmbH
Blue Finance Luxembourg SA
Groupe Latecoere
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V.
ABB Holdings B.V.
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
USA
SAP ČR, s.r.o.
Siemens, s.r.o.
Accenture Services, s.r.o.
Sun Microsystems Czech, s.r.o
software
electrical engineering
consultation services
IT
www.sap.com
www.siemens.cz
www.accenture.com
www.sun.com
USA
United Kingdom
Netherlands
USA
USA
France
Belgium
Hewlett-Packard Central Eastern
European Holding GmbH
Central European Communications
Holdings, B.V.
Austria
HEWLETT-PACKARD, s.r.o.
consultation services
automobile industry
databank services
commerce, services
IT
commerce
accounting and
data services
pharmaceuticals
publishing
printing
aircraft industry
tyres
automation and power
industry technologies
notebook production
www.ariba.com
www.ricardo.com
www.dhl.cz
www.google.cz
www.microsoft.com
www.czech-franchise.cz
Netherlands
Germany
Luxembourg
France
Netherlands
Netherlands
Ariba Czech, s.r.o.
Ricardo Prague, s.r.o.
DHL Information Services (Europe) s.r.o.
Google Czech Republic, s.r.o.
MICROSOFT, s.r.o.
YVES ROCHER, spol. s r.o.
ExxonMobil Business Support
Center Czechia, s.r.o.
Zentiva, a.s.
Burda Communications, s.r.o.
Svoboda Press, s.r.o.
LETOV LETECKÁ VÝROBA, s.r.o.
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Czech, s.r.o.
AB,B s.r.o.
Netherlands
Interoute Czech, s.r.o.
culture did not necessarily always come
into being in the official environment.
Jaroslav Hašek, for instance, was a regular
guest in Prague-Žižkov pubs where he
sketched his Good Soldier Švejk – evidently
the most popular Czech work, and poet
Jaroslav Seifert – the first Czechoslovak
winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature –
was born and wrote poetry in the shadow
of courtyard galleries on the right bank of
the Vltava River.
Prague is one of nine towns the
| 24
electronic
communication
www.exxonmobil.com
www.zentiva.cz
www.burdacomm.cz
http://svoboda-press.takeit.cz
www.letov.cz
www.dunlop.cz
www.abb.cz
www.hp.com
www.interoute.com
IMPORTANT CZECH FIRMS BASED IN PRAGUE
Name
Sector
Contact
ČEZ, a.s.
České dráhy, a.s.
Škoda Praha, a.s.
Metrostav, a.s.
České aerolinie, a.s.
Česká pošta, s.p.
Dopravní podnik hl.m. Prahy, a.s.
Barrandov Studio, a.s.
Burza cenných papírů Praha, a.s
power industry
railway transport
investment in the power industry
building industry
air transport
postal services
public transport
film production
securities trading
www.cez.cz
www.cd.cz
www.skodapraha.cz
www.metrostav.cz
www.csa.cz
www.cpost.cz
www.dpp.cz
www.barrandov.cz
www.bcpp.cz
New Face of Old Prague
Ongoing development in Prague
displays a clear preference of
revitalisation of old complexes
over new construction.
An extensive garrison complex
including stables, situated
directly in the centre of the city,
served the military for two
centuries until the mid-20th
century. From then on, the
complex was left unused and
became dilapidated. Many
famous Czech national
personalities served there as
soldiers, including Josef Kajetán
Tyl, the author of the Czech
national anthem.
A decision was made to find a more
suitable use for the building, which is
a protected monument situated at
a prominent location in the centre of old
Prague, at the same time addressing the
building's reconstruction. European
Property Development won a tender for
the sale of the real estate, its
reconstruction and completion. Within
a matter of two years the company
completed the new appearance of náměstí
Republiky.
The present PALLADIUM complex is an
important venue for cultural events, and
one of the most interesting of
Europe's shopping centres. Taking its cue
from the abundant musical and historical
"genius loci" of the area, its theming
inspires recollections of famous Czech
painters, writers, composers, and other
artists.
The architectural concept for the
exterior is a sensitive marriage of a historic
building with new elements of creative
design. These features extend to shop
fronts, flooring, railings, escalators,
columns, and ceilings. Fountains, benches,
mobile greenery, and shopping pavilions
add to the mall's lively atmosphere. Three
valuable archaeological finds form part of
the interior. Stone troughs from the former
riding-hall form a section of the fountain in
the entrance hall of the office building.
PALLADIUM has given the centre of
Prague a new face.
More at: www.palladiumpraha.cz
EUROPEAN PROPERTY GROUP is a leading developer and investment company with
many year's experience in Central Europe. Founded in 1990, it focuses on projects in
urban centres. At present it manages a portfolio worth more than EUR 650 million, and
is one of the most important groups operating on the Prague market. Its largest
completed project at this time is the PALLADIUM complex at náměstí Republiky, Prague 1.
Its sheer size (115 000 sq. m) and investment dimension (EUR 270.2 million) render it
a major contribution to the revitalisation of this important part of central Prague. Other
completed projects include: Prague City Centre, European Business Centre, Italská 24,
and Loretánské náměstí 3.
25 |
REGION
Heart of Europe – Place for Doing Business and Trade
I would like to use Prague - the
capital of the Czech Republic - as
an example to demonstrate the
heart of Europe is the right place
for doing business and trade.
Contemporary Prague is the most
dynamic and successful region in
the Czech Republic, generating
a quarter of the state’s GDP. It
boasts the reputation of
a trustworthy partner free of
credit risks and with an
unemployment rate that remains
low long-term, attracting
entrepreneurs and investors
alike. It is an attractive locality
for all those who wish to expand
their activities in a city of
exceptional beauty, unique
character, spiritual, intellectual
and cultural tradition,
exceptional natural and urban
quality with skilful and welleducated population.
Prague is the centre of Europe not only
from the historical, social, and cultural
viewpoint but it is also the centre of
Europe from the geographical aspect. This
is in part related to the quality of
transport access to Prague - the meeting
point of converging international and
s u p r a re g i o n a l l i n e s o f a l l C z e c h
motorways and railways, an airspace
servicing four airports (Prague Ruzyně
Airport has exceeded its annual capacity
of 10 million passengers; its capacity as
well as that of related utilities and
infrastructure will continue to grow).
Prague is also well accessible to freight
carriers and passenger boats along the
Vltava River.
Prague is generally acknowledged to
be one of the most beautiful cities in
Europe. The city’s historical centre with its
unique panorama of Prague Castle, the
largest castle complex in the world, is
a UNESCO heritage site. This very
h i s t o r i c a l c o re a n d m a n y o t h e r
m o n u m e n t s a t t r a c t h u n d re d s o f
thousands of tourists each year from
countries the world over. The most
frequent foreign visitors to Prague in
2007 were British and German visitors,
followed by American, French, and Italian
tourists. The most numerous age category
The modern, prosperous, and dynamic city has opportunities
for business in a broad range of sectors.
of tourists are those aged between 21
and 30. Prague is thus a city preferred in
particular by young visitors. Although
Prague has a highly developed tourist
trade, which also forms an important part
of the city’s budget, it has by no means
slackened its efforts to attract more and
more tourists. Intense efforts are being
made for the handicapped, a map for the
blind has already been published and
a map for the wheelchair-bound is in the
pipeline. Last year, the inhabitants of
Prague as well as visitors to the city could
enjoy the spectacular celebrations of the
650th anniversary of the founding of
Charles Bridge.
The capital is not only prepared to
welcome tourists but it is also a successful
host of important international events. It
is no secret that Prague is a city with
The most successful region of the Czech Republic creating 1/4 of
the country’s GDP.
| 26
extraordinary ambition, demonstrated by
its candidature for hosting the Olympic
Games. Prague has become a contender
for the hosting of the Summer Olympics
in 2016. If it fails to succeed, it is ready to
submit its candidature for the year 2020.
The trustworthiness and attractiveness
of Prague is documented by important
strategic foreign investment. Prague
o ff e r s v e r y g o o d c o n d i t i o n s f o r
investment. Traditionally the greatest
volume of funds from public budgets is
s p e n t o n i n f r a s t r u c t u re , e s p e c i a l l y
transport infrastructure. Great attention is
being paid to the completion of the
underground, the Prague city ring, and to
increasing the quality of municipal public
transport services. It is also important to
mention other interesting investment
opportunities in the city’s centrally
located areas. These plans are related,
f o r i n s t a n c e , t o P r a g u e ’s r a i l w a y
infrastructure. A number of projects have
been prepared for the rehabilitation and
modernisation of highly interesting areas
in a busy part of the city centre. Other
attractive development areas are at hand.
These include, for instance, former
industrial zones immediately adjacent to
the city centre with excellent transport
a c c e s s i b i l i t y. T h e s e a re a s o ff e r
opportunities for interesting investment
projects such as administrative or housing
complexes.
The Czech Republic will preside over
the EU in 2009. Prague wants to be wellprepared to present itself as a modern,
p ro s p e ro u s , a n d r i c h c i t y o ff e r i n g
a functioning market for real-estate,
o ff i c e s , a n d a c c o m m o d a t i o n , w i t h
opportunities
for
g ro w t h
and
opportunities for entrepreneurs from
a wide range of sectors.
Pavel Bém
Mayor of the City of Prague
Prague is an excellent place for
business. On the one hand, it is
one of the cheapest European
capitals in terms of rent for
commercial areas, and on the
other, Prague is a busy town full
of life. Whereas people go, for
example, to Brussels to work,
they go to Prague to work and
live as well.
Old Town Square
Basic data:
Population:
Share in the total
Czech Republic:
Unemployment:
Average salary:
1 204 897
population of the
11.6%
2.4%
CZK 27 211 (approx
EUR 948)
The unique combination of a favourable
business environment and the absolutely
true reputation of the wonderful historical
Prague full of life have attracted many
investors of world renown including
IBM, Honeywell, DHL, Microsoft, and
Accenture. Despite a slight growth in the
recent years, the monthly rents for the most
lucrative areas in the centre are just above
EUR 20/sq. m. In other parts of the city and
on the outskirts, first-rate offices are
available for a monthly rent of EUR 15/sq. m.
Prague and Berlin rank among the
cheapest cities in Europe, and this should
remain so in the near future. Analysts do
not expect rents in Prague to rise by more
than 0.5% this year despite the huge
interest in areas ready for business.
Approximately 6% of offices in Prague
are vacant as compared with 8% in 2006.
For comparison, almost
10% of areas are vacant
in Berlin. Why are the
prices of premises suitable
for business lower in
Prague than they are, for
instance, in Budapest and
Warsaw? The reason is
the keen competition on
the Prague real estate
market on which many
prominent developers are
operating.
Interest in every new
project in Prague is great.
Only a few cities in the
world can boast such rich
history, culture, and
erudition connected with
traditional universities
and, in particular, dynamic
economy as Prague. It is
situated in the centre of
the Czech Republic and in
the heart of continental
Europe. The incomparable
locality plus a high-quality
infrastructure
make
Prague an ideal place for
multinational investment.
Prague has the densest
network of air routes
among the new countries
of the European Union. The Czech Republic
also has the longest network of motorways
among its nearest rivals, and the Czech
Government plans to double it by the year
2015.
Prague belongs to the most important
economic centres in Europe. It has the
highest per capita Gross Domestic Product
in the new EU countries, followed at
a distance by Bratislava and Budapest. As in
other similar centres, services are
predominant in Prague’s economy. Hightech apparatus and electronics producers
have a special place in the manufacturing
sector.
Prague is the centre of trade and
services. It offers qualified and reliable
employees, and suppliers are always within
reach thanks to the ideal location of the
city. Prague has several universities,
a number of colleges and other educational
institutions, which are a huge source of
new talents and opportunity for continued
education of employees.
The oldest and most prestigious
university in Central Europe – Charles
University – was founded in Prague in
1348. Together with the Czech Technical
University, the University of Economics, the
Institute of Chemical Technology, the Czech
University of Life Sciences and other
universities including those of arts and
designing, Prague has tens of thousands of
university students.
Prague is the leader in research and
development in the Czech Republic. Most
institutes of the Czech Academy of
Sciences are based in Prague, and many
private enterprises have placed their
technology centres in the city. The latest
relevant data are available for 2004 and in
that year 2.06% of people employed in
Prague worked directly in research and
development.
New large investment is attracted by the
ideal combination of work and private life
offered by Prague. The city has
a wonderful history. The whole centre of
Prague is on the UNESCO List of World
Heritage, and is one of the largest urban
monuments worldwide. There are more
than 1 300 historic buildings protected by
the law as national monuments. Hundreds
of thousands of tourists come to Prague
every year. Most important is the fact that
all monuments are living places; the
exteriors are admired by visitors and the
interiors are used by employees or
permanent residents. The centre of Prague
is thus a constantly living organism, which
is not threatened with "clinical death"
during weekends experienced, for
example, London.
Excellent infrastructure and conditions
for life and business, low prices and all
services both for firms – all of the four large
auditors (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PWC
a KPMG) have branches in Prague – and for
the inhabitants make Prague a perfect
place for the most demanding investors.
Source: CzechInvest
27 |
Photo: CzechTourism
Prague – Ideal place for Life and Business
REGION
Czech Technical University in Prague – Top European
Technical University
The Czech Technical University
(CTU) in Prague is the oldest
continually functioning technical
university in Europe. Christian
Joseph Willenberg initiated its
founding on the basis of
a rescript of Emperor Joseph
I dated 18 January 1707. Last
year the university thus
celebrated 300 years since its
founding. Today, the CTU is the
largest technical university in the
Czech Republic (with 24 000
students and 3 500 staff) and
strives to be a top level research
European university.
■ C O O P E R AT I O N W I T H
I N D U S T RY
The CTU is an active member of the
Forum of Industry and Universities and it
cooperates with leading Czech and
international industrial and building
companies on the basis of bilateral
agreements. During 2007, the CTU
succeeded in intensifying existing mutual
relationships and establishing a number
of new ones. "I believe our teachers,
researchers, students, and graduates
have a lot to offer to the industrial sphere
and I believe next year our cooperation
will contribute not only to the
development of the Czech industry, but
will also solidify our financial resources
for our further development," said Prof.
Václav Havlíček, Rector of the CTU. The
existence of a number of important
research laboratories operated jointly
w i t h i n d u s t r i a l c o m p a n i e s e n s u re s
a much faster transfer of research results
to the industry. Good students can
devote their diploma and dissertation
papers to work on top devices in these
laboratories. They can go on to become
highly qualified employees of these very
companies. An immediate benefit is the
opening of diploma and dissertation
topics by the companies. The CTU Carrier
Centre opened for students in 2006. Its
aim is to provide students and graduates
Intermedia Institute of the Technical University in Prague
| 28
with complete services on a scope
common at European universities to help
improve their position on the labour
market. The students themselves also
organise the Job Opportunities Fair
attended by more than a hundred
important companies in 2007.
■ IN-HOUSE TRAINING CENTRE
FOR TESTING OF NEW
TECHNOLOGIES
The Silicon Hill (SH) student club that
resides in the newly opened building at
Strahov provides companies and
institutions with the opportunity of training
CTU students to master their technologies.
The first course that took place in the SH
club was an educational programme of the
Cisco Networking Academy – a training
course focusing on network administration.
The SH club is also involved in the Autodesk
Academy and the Microsoft IT Academy.
The SH club currently trains 150 CTU
students each semester. Such training
courses are certified and internationally
recognised, thus improving students'
qualification and expertise. The "academy"
involves the participation of businesses and
follows a simple model: when a company
develops a new technology it would like to
implement, it tests and examines it in
cooperation with SH club members,
training them for the new technology in
the process. The SH club has tested
technologies by Microsoft, Intel, and
Hewlett-Packard in this way. Intel, for
instance, provides SH club members with
testing servers with CPU's that have not yet
been introduced on the market or are
brand new.
■ UNIQUE SITE
In 1990, the VR-1 reactor was activated for
the first time. It is a unique educational
and experimental installation used for
training nuclear reactor experts, university
students, and specialists for the Czech
nuclear programme. It is one of only a few
unique installations of a similar kind in
Europe. The reactor had a broad and
effective use. Besides university students
from various faculties in the Czech
Republic and abroad, many secondary
school students also come on excursions.
"We prepare experimental tasks for
university students corresponding to their
curriculum and their level of expertise. In
the case of secondary school students, we
offer highly interesting excursions that
include demonstrations of the operation of
■ S C I E N T I F I C I N C U BATO R
The Scientific Incubator of the Czech
Technical University was founded in
January 2006. Its launch was made
possible thanks to cooperation with the
IKANO of Sweden. The CTU Scientific
Incubator helps to establish and develop
small and medium-size innovation firms
that employ advanced technologies, and
provides support for these companies as
they enter the market. The Incubator also
offers consulting and educational services
and a favourable renting of equipped
office space located in the immediate
vicinity of the CTU campus. In 2007, the
Incubator was the only institution of its
kind in Prague that provided a wide range
of incubation services for starting
entrepreneurs. It is also the only incubator
in the Czech Republic that is completely
financed from private resources. At the
close of 2007, there were 11 innovative
companies working with the Incubator.
■ I N T E R N AT I O N A L
C O O P E R AT I O N
As part of the Erasmus programme and on
the basis of agreements on international
cooperation concluded both within and
outside of the Erasmus programme, 389
foreign students will arrive at the CTU in
Prague during the winter semester of the
2007/08 academic year. Approximately
200 new foreign students are expected at
the CTU in the summer semester. Interest
in studying at the CTU has increased
among foreign students in recent years.
Not only is the number of students higher,
but the number of countries from which
they come has grown as well.
There is also the Erasmus Mundu
programme (a part of the Erasmus
programme) offered by the Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of
Architecture. The Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering offers the KONMEP
programme which focuses on graduant
exchanges. The Faculty of Transportation
Sciences cooperates with Norway, Island,
Bulgaria, and Romania via the Leonardo da
Vinci programme. Thanks to the G08
Scholarship programme, students from
Australian universities also come to study
at this faculty. The Faculty of
Transportation Sciences and the Faculty of
Architecture use the Fulbright programme
to invite students from the USA. The
Visegrad Fund, established for the Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland,
supports student exchanges among these
countries at the Faculty of Architecture.
The CTU has 412 bilateral agreements
with 40 countries in place for the 2007/08
academic year (366 were concluded under
the Erasmus programme and 46 with nonEuropean countries). Even the number of
non-European exchanges is on the rise,
especially exchanges with Asia, Central
America, the USA, and Russia.
Traditionally, the greatest number of
foreign students at the CTU comes from
President Václav Klaus during the opening
of an experimental reactor at the Technical
University in Prague
Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, and
Germany. For example, Spanish students
like to come for the so-called projects
because it is easier for them to find a tutor
at the CTU who would be willing to attend
to them sufficiently. Students are also
satisfied with the equipment of CTU
laboratories which they often rate better
than the facilities available at their home
universities. Since 1999, the ISC
(International Student Club) also adds to
the international environment at the
university premises. The ISC cooperates
closely with the department of
inter national relations at the CTU
rector's office. Its main activity is to help
international students with their everyday
life and with integration into the Czech
environment; through both education and
entertainment. The CTU offers 98
specialisations to foreign students that can
be studied in English.
More at: www.cvut.cz
29 |
Photos: CTU
the reactor and a general introduction to
nuclear safety, radiation protection,
physical protection, and emergency
readiness," said Prof. Karel Matějka, Dean
of the Department of Nuclear Reactors.
The ceremonial (re)opening of the VR-1
nuclear reactor at the Faculty of Nuclear
Sciences and Physical Engineering at CTU
was attended by President Václav Klaus in
December 2007.
The TEREZA Centre was founded in
1992 to provide top level technical
equipment and facilities. It aids blind and
visually impaired to better their ability to
study independently and improve their
general and specialised computer skills.
TEREZA does not limit its services to
visually impaired CTU students. Thanks to
a wide range of specific activities and by
employing the very latest IT technology, it
is able to offer its services to students of all
Prague universities. "We strive for a liberal
approach to students. That is why we have
built up a reputation for being a centre
that leads students towards independence
and towards an individual approach in
discovering the advantages of specialised
computer equipment," says TEREZA
founder Doc. Jan Mareš from the Faculty
of Nuclear Sciences and Physical
Engineering at CTU. The technical
equipment of the classroom includes socalled "accessible" computers, specially
adapted to the needs of blind users,
keyboards with audio feedback, screenreaders (a programme that provides vocal
or tactile output), Braille displays (devices
that display screen characters in the form
of the Braille dot alphabet), and a TV
magnifier.
The Institute also houses the virtual
reality device called CAVE – the first such
device in the Czech Republic located on
university premises. It serves both for
simulating architectural designs and for
the visualisation of electromagnetic fields
or chemical compounds structure for
instance.
REGION
Latest Statistical Data
TO U R I S M I N P R AG U E I N T H E
THIRD QUARTER OF 2007
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Indicator
The third quarter was a very successful
period for tourism. In this period, Prague
recorded another year-on-year increase in
the number of visitors, who accounted for
28.7% of the total number of visitors to
the Czech Republic.
Prague
Area (sq. km)
Population
Czech Republic
496
78 867
1 204 897
10 349 372
Average gross wage (in EUR)
948
759
Unemployment rate (in %)
2.41
6.16
Source: Czech Statistical Office, 3rd quarter of 2007, EUR exchange rate: CZK 28.71
G U E S T S I N A C C O M M O D AT I O N FA C I L I T I E S
Most frequent nationality of tourists
3 Q 2006
Germany
United Kingdom
Spain
United States of America
Italy
France
Russia
Total number of guests in accommodation facilities
162
129
88
100
89
53
37
1 277
219
919
574
703
758
115
083
001
3Q 2007
167
126
100
93
86
47
46
1 312
Index 2007/2006
675
368
962
169
493
570
531
832
103.4
97.3
114.0
92.5
96.4
89.6
125.5
102.8
G U E S T S I N A C C O M M O D AT I O N FA C I L I T I E S B Y C AT E G O RY ( 3 R D Q U A R T E R )
Number of arrivals
Hotels 4*
Hotels 3*
Other hotels and guest houses
Total for accommodation facilities
179
490
536
1 312
Index 2007/2006
050
475
424
832
101.3
108.0
106.8
102.8
Number of overnight stays
448
1 320
1 588
3 665
153
191
927
843
Index 2007/2006
94.4
106.9
107.5
102.2
Source: Czech Statistical Office
I N V I TAT I O N TO S E L E C T E D C U LT U R A L E V E N T S I N 2 0 0 8
František Vláčil
This exhibition is the first of a planned cycle on outstanding Czech
film directors. The objective of the planned exhibition is to familiarise
the visitors with the work and personality of František Vláčil, one of
the most famous and most idiomatic Czech film makers.
The exhibition is being held by the Prague Castle Administration
and Barrandov Studio a.s. under the auspices of Václav Klaus,
President of the Czech Republic, and of Pavel Bém, Prague Mayor.
15 February - 31 May, Prague Castle, Imperial Stables.
Biedermeier, Art and Culture in the Bohemian Lands
1814 –1848
The exhibition presents works of art originating from Bohemia
and Moravia, dating from the first half of the 19th century and
reflecting the typical Biedermeier artistic and philosophical
trend.
The exhibition is being organised by the Prague Castle
Administration and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague in
cooperation with the National Gallery in Prague and the National
Heritage Institute of the Czech Republic.
27 May – 28 September, Prague Castle Riding School.
AIRMED World Congress
World Congress of Aeromedical Services
20 – 22 May, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
| 30
Retro Pratur
9th Gathering of Fans of Historical Automobiles
10 – 13 July, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
MÓDA PRAHA
10th International Fashion Fair
27 – 29 August, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
Collector
11th International Fair of Post Stamps, Coins, and Collector Items
12 –14 September, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
Antik
16th International Sales Exhibition of Antiquities and Art
2 – 5 October, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
Pragoligna/Tooltec
10th Contracting and Sales Exhibition of Machines, Tools,
Equipment, and Material for Wood-processing
23 – 25 October, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
Christmas Markets
Traditional sales exhibition of gifts
12 – 21 December, Prague Exhibition Grounds, Praha 7-Holešovice
More at: www.pis.cz, www.prague-info.cz
REGION
Prague Chamber of Commerce – Entrepreneur’s Aid
The Prague Chamber of
Commerce (hereinafter PCC) was
established in June 1994. Its
function is to support small and
medium businesses in the capital
of Prague, to promote their
interests, and to provide them
with all forms of help. The
Chamber offers its services both
to its members and other
entrepreneurs.
Hospodářská komora hl.m. Prahy
(Prague Chamber of Commerce)
nám. Franze Kafky 7
110 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic
phone: +420 224 818 197
fax: +420 222 329 348
www.hkp.cz
■ FORMS OF HELP AND
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The PCC manages projects in support of
business, competitiveness, innovation, and
education of entrepreneurs and other social
groups. The projects are financed from the
European Social Fund and other public
resources.
The Chamber organises its own projects
but also acts as a partner to important
scientific, educational, or business entities. It
cooperates closely with state administration
bodies and municipal gover nments,
especially with the Prague City Hall, the
Czech Chamber of Commerce, district and
regional economic chambers, and partner
entities abroad. Emphasis is placed on
nurturing contacts with partner economic
and industrial chambers around the world
with the aim of helping Czech companies
establish business ties with suitable foreign
entities. On the other hand, we also help
foreign companies navigate the Czech
market. The Chamber actively promotes its
members abroad and helps them to enter
and succeed on international markets.
The Prague Chamber is able to provide
members with information and know-how
they urgently need at a given moment in
time. A great portion of our services, subject
to high fees elsewhere, are provided
completely free of charge. They are financed
from EU structural funds.
Employees of the Chamber of
Commerce are regularly trained to help
entrepreneurs find the most suitable grant
title for their particular business project.
The Chamber is currently introducing its
members and other interested businessmen
to new ways of drawing EU funds in the
2007–2013 period.
■ NEW PROJECTS
One of the Chamber's present and highly
interesting projects which will find
continuation in the future is EuroChamber
Prague – a joint project of the Prague
Chamber and the Joint Czech-BelgianLuxembourg Chamber of Commerce in the
Czech Republic. Thanks to this project,
small and medium Prague enterprises have
been able to conquer foreign markets by
offering comprehensive consulting services
related to the export of goods and services
or by expanding beyond the borders of the
Czech Republic. Since the country’s joining
the Schengen area, entering foreign
markets has become economically more
viable for Czech businesses and their
demand for foreign contacts is thus on the
rise.
Another welcome project aimed at
helping Prague entrepreneurs is the CERT
Chamber. This project enables the PCC to
provide Prague businesses with a chance of
obtaining a direct grant of approx. EUR
3 700 for the implementation of a quality
system in accordance with international ISO
9001:2000 standards – the commonly used
quality standard in Europe. This important
certificate enables businesses to participate
in tenders, particularly for public
procurement contracts, also improving their
chances in general in tenders launched by
the private sector. The Chamber thus helps
small and medium Prague businesses to
become fully competitive in the Czech
Republic as well as on foreign markets. The
project includes free consultation in
preparation of companies for certification in
accordance with inter national ISO
9001:2000 standards.
F O R E I G N A N D M I X E D C H A M B E R S O F C O M M E R C E BA S E D I N P R AG U E :
American Chamber of Commerce
in the Czech Republic
Americká obchodní komora v ČR
Dušní 10, 110 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 222 329 430
Fax: +420 222 329 433
www.amcham.cz
Czech-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Česko-Arabská obchodní komora
Freyova 27/82, 190 00 Praha 9
Phone: +420 296 647 194, 773 131 858
www.czaok.cz
| 32
Czech-Belgian-Luxembourg Mixed
Chamber of Commerce
Česko-belgicko-lucemburská smíšená
obchodní komora v ČR
Thámova 20, 186 00 Praha 8
Phone: +420 221 890 737-8
Fax: +420 221 890 768
www.cblchamber.cz
British Chamber of Commerce
Britská obchodní komora
IBC, Pobřežní 620/3, 186 00 Praha 8
Phone: +420 224 835 161
Fax: +420 224 835 162
www.britishchamber.cz
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Kanadská obchodní komora
Klimentská 46, 110 02 Praha 1
Phone/Fax: +420 225 000 345
www.gocanada.cz
Chamber for Commercial Relations
with the Confederation
of Independent States
Komora pro hospodářské styky se SNS
REGION
Freyova 27, 190 00 Praha 9
Phone: +420 296 646 501-2
Fax: +420 296 646 503
www.komorasns.cz
Čermákova 7, 120 00 Praha 2
Phone: +420 222 015 300
Fax: +420 222 015 301
www.camic.cz
French-Czech Chamber of Commerce
Francouzsko-česká obchodní komora
IBC, Pobřežní 3, 186 00 Praha 8
Phone: +420 224 833 090
Fax: +420 224 833 093
www.ccft-fcok.cz
Czech Middle Asian Compound
Chamber of Commerce
Česká-Středoasijská smíšená obchodní
komora
Na Pankráci 14, 140 00 Praha 4
Phone: +420 296 348 804
Fax: +420 296 348 806
www.csok.cz
Czech-German Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
Česko-německá obchodní a průmyslová
komora
Václavské nám. 40, 110 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 221 200
Fax: +420 224 222 200
www.dtihk.cz
Czech-Greek Chamber of Commerce
Česko-řecká obchodní komora
Nekázanka 11, 110 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 012 714
Fax: +420 224 012 713
www.crok.cz
Czech-Israeli Chamber of Commerce
Česko-izraelská obchodní komora
Václavské nám. 802/56, 110 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 032 161
Fax: +420 224 032 162
www.ciok.cz
Italian-Czech Mixed Chamber
of Commerce and Industry
Italsko-česká smíšená obchodní
a průmyslová komora
Netherlands Chamber of Commerce
in Prague
Nizozemská obchodní komora v Praze
Zlatý Anděl
Nádražní 344/25, 150 00 Praha 5
Phone: +420 224 222 336, 257 473 740
Fax: +420 257 473 744
www.nlchamber.cz
Nordic Chamber of Commerce
Severská obchodní komora
Zlatnická 10, 111 21 Praha 1
Phone: +420 222 314 944
Fax: +420 226 015 885
www.nordicchamber.cz
Czech-South African Chamber
of Commerce
Česko-jihoafrická obchodní komora
Sezimova 3, 140 00 Praha 4
Phone: +420 261 216 996
www.cz-sa.cz
Chamber of Commerce
Switzerland-Czech Republic
HST Obchodní komora Švýcarsko-Česká
republika
Na Pankráci 1062/58, 140 00 Praha 4
Phone: +420 222 516 614
Fax: +420 222 513 685
www.hst.cz
Czech-Turkish Mixed Chamber
of Commerce
Česko-turecká smíšená obchodní komora
V závětří 4, 170 00 Praha 7
Phone: +420 220 877 658, 266 791 555
Indo-Czech Chamber of Commerce
Česko-indická smíšená obchodní komora
Táborská 752/7, 140 00 Praha 4
Phone: +420 596 514 097, 596 514 098
Fax: +420 596 512 479
www.komoraczind.cz
Central European, East European, and
Central Asian Chamber of Commerce
(CEC Cham)
Středoevropská, východoevropská
a středoasijská obchodní komora (SVSOK)
Na Zátorce 9 160 00 Praha 6
Phone:+420 224 310 732
Fax: +420 224 310 732
www.svsok.eu
Czech Neth Business Support
Smíšená obchodní komora Česká republika
– Nizozemsko
Dlouhá 16, 110 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 222 312 545
Fax: +420 222 325 989
www.cnbs.eu
www.doingbusiness.cz
| 34

Prague,

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