As a result of a stable political situation and strong economic performance, the Czech Republic is increasingly becoming the focus for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central and Eastern Europe with a 500% increase in the flow of foreign capital over last five years to USD 2.7 billion.
Recognising the importance of FDI, the Czech Republic's Ministry of Industry and Trade created the semiautonomous body - CzechInvest - in November 1992.
Modelled on some of Europe's most successful investment attraction agencies, CzechInvest's aims are clear - to maintain the flow of foreign investment post privatisation by being customer driven; by fully appreciating the decision makers within foreign direct investment and strategic joint venturebusinesses, by liaising closely with other government departments and regions to provide customers with quality data, and by referring customers whose needs are outside the scope of CzechInvest to relevant associations and organisations. CzechInvest is designed to remove as much of the start-up pain as possible
For those investors seeking greenfield investments or strategic joint ventures, CzechInvest can facilitate enquiries, assist in the fulfilment of business ambitions, and guide investors through negotiations to close the deal as quickly as possible. Through its regional network and site selection data, CzechInvest can assist investors in locating sites or buildings for specific projects and then help liaison with appropriate government departments. The clearer project interests are defined at the enquiry stage, the more detailed and customised the CzechInvest response will be, focusing on the operational benefits the Czech Republic affords.
CzechInvest continues to prepare and regularly update an extensive series of "fact sheets", providing information on topics relevant to investment such as taxation, real estate, regional information, banking, and the current investment climate. CzechInvest also disseminates information through the media.
The professional team within CzechInvest stands ready to help companies capitalise on the outstanding operational benefits the Czech Republic affords. Interested parties should contact CzechInvest at:
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CzechInvest Czech Agency for Foreign Investment Politickych veznu 20 112 49 PRAHA 1, CZECH REPUBLIC Telephone: (42-2) 2422 1540 Fax: (42-2) 2422 1804 | Vladimir Kubes Delegue officiel pour la France 6, rue des Renaudes 75017 PARIS - FRANCE Telephone: (33-1) 4212 0252 Fax: (33-1) 4212 0254 | Lubor Veleba Head of UK Operations CzechInvest c/o Czech Centre 30 Kensington Palace Gardens LONDON W8 4QY, U.K. Telephone: +44 71 243 7981 Fax: +44 71 727 9589 |
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ORGANIZATION
Headed by Chief Executive Jan Amos Havelka, CzechInvest is a lean organisation with around 25 staff members funded through the European Union's Phare programme and the Czech government. Staff are divided among four departments: Client Services, Regions, Special Projects and Marketing and Public Relations.
An Advisory board, chaired by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Vaclav Petricek, convenes quarterly to tract CzechInvest's progress and make recommendations for future activity.
The Special Projects Department works with potential foreign investors to encourage the development of projects in the Czech Republic. In 1994 Special Projects successfully secured greenfield investments from leading companies including Philips, ITT, Draka, Schade, USG, Arrows and Canstar.
Client Services Department's Database, listing Czech companies interested in foreign cooperation as well as contacts with Czech associations and trade unions, is used to match foreign companies with potential Czech partners. In 1994 Client Services Department put foreign companies into contact with 194 Czech companies.
The Regions Department uses a network of representatives throughout the Czech Republic to pinpoint suitable sites and then assist foreign companies with the implementation of investment plans. The department currently maintains representatives in ten municipalities/cities: Pilsen, Zlin, Olomouc, Louny, Novy Jicin, Brno, Most, Hradec Kralove, Pardubice and Znojmo.
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Responsible for promoting CzechInvest and the Czech Republic, the Marketing Department has focused its activity on forming contacts with media representatives, producing articles for domestic and foreign press, preparing presentations for potential foreign investors and managing direst marketing programmes. A database expanding to 20,000 target companies helps marketing department anticipate the needs of the foreign direct investor and respond with quality business information. Marketing also maintains and distributes regularly updated fact sheets, has produced brochures on the Automotive and Electronics industry based on major studies and has released a 10 minute corporate video.