C Z E C H TRADE FOCUS

Good News from Czech Commercial Offices in the USA • February 2001

→ Editorial Note
Czech Trade Focus is designed to provide practical information on trade and investment opportunities with the Czech
Republic. The newsletter is published every other month for free circulation. We hope that it will meet your interests, and
would appreciate your comments, feedback on the contents, and interesting contributions, which we might publish in the future.
- Economic and Commercial Section, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.

→ Economic Outlook
• Year 2000: Economic Turnaround
In the United States, the year 2000 was marked by disappointment with the new economy, concerns about slowing growth,
and stock markets on the downward slope. On the other hand, many industries with e-commerce at the forefront seem to be
booming in the Czech Republic. The last quarter of 2000 was the most successful period ever for Czech electronic trade with sales
totaling more than $2 million. For the whole year 2000, on-line sales exceeded $5 million. The year 2000 also saw a large volume of
green-field foreign investment in the Czech Republic in high-tech industries.
The consumer price index grew only 0.2 percent in December, suggesting that there will be no near-term rate hike by the
Czech National Bank. Yearly inflation rate reached 4.0 percent in December and the average 12-month inflation rate reached 3.9
percent.
The government's investment scheme seems to be paying off: the state-run CzechInvest agency announced that it had
succeeded in attracting 1.5 billion dollars of direct foreign investment in 2000, a rise of almost 120 percent as compared to 1999.
CzechInvest said the projects would create almost 18,000 new jobs in the country over the next few years.

• Bilateral Trade: Czech Republic - United States

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, U.S.-
Czech bilateral trade grew 22.9 percent to $2.2 billion in the 1999 2000 2000/1999
year 2000. U.S. trade surplus with the Czech Republic change (%)
amounted to $606 million. Although the Czech Republic ranks Czech Exports to the U.S. 655 818 24.9
only 65 among all countries by the volume of trade, the
dynamics of the exchange of goods and services remains very U.S. Exports to the Czech Rep. 1169 1424 21.8
high. U.S. exports to the Czech Republic include aircraft and
parts, electric machinery, computers, nuclear reactors and parts Source: Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade
thereof, medical and optical devices.

Following is a list of the TOP 20 Czech products exported to the United States by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
according to the U.S. International Trade Commission, ranked by 2000 exports:

1) electrical capacitors: HTS 8532 11) flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products: 7208
2) glassware for table, kitchen, indoor decoration: 7013 12) taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: 8481
3) glass beads, imitation stones, ornaments: 7018 13) furniture and parts thereof: 9403
4) apparatus for electrical circuits: 8536 14) diodes, transistors, semiconductor devices: 8541
5) footwear of rubber, plastic, leather: 6403 15) machines, knitting, stitch-bonding machines: 8447
6) parts for tractors and public-transport vehicles: 8708 16) pianos, harpsichords, other keyboard instruments: 9201
7) automatic data processing machines: 8471 17) pumps for liquids, liquid elevators: 8413
8) ammonium salts and hydroxides, lecithins: 2923 18) seats, whether or not convertible into beds: 9401
9) electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies: 8542 19) lathes for removing metal, turning centers: 8458
10) lamps and lighting fittings, illuminated signs: 9405 20) spark-ignition parts for combustion engines: 8409
Czech Trade Focus No.2 (February 2001)

→ InWest Forum Central Europe

SARIO, a Slovak Agency for Foreign Investment and Trade Development, is organizing the "Inwest Forum Central Europe"
international investment conference on February 26, 2001, in the New York Marriott World Trade Center. The conference aims to
bring the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia --also called "Visegrad 4"-- together as partners to present their
investment opportunities. The event is designed to give investors an accurate picture of the current investment climate, promote
cross-border cooperation, and create more attractive investment conditions. The conference is primarily targeted at both private and
institutional venture capitalists, bankers, accountancy and consulting firms, brokers, and journalists in New York and on the East
Coast. For more information and registration please call: 212.269.2474, fax: 212.269.2511, or e-mail: [email protected].

→ Companies & Market

• The Czech government agreed to amend current based on the government's approval, the government will later
investment incentives to include services related to amend the respective law, which currently only includes
software and IT. The change, which became effective as of manufacturing.
January 1, 2000, applies to customer service, call centers, and
development centers. Although, incentives for services are
Czech Trade Focus Page 2 of 7

• GenCorp - GDX Automotive, the industry leader in sealing combined, none of the networks experienced any significant
technology for sport utility vehicles based in Farmington Hills, problems.
MI, announced that it acquired Draftex International, making the
company the second largest automotive vehicle-sealing supplier • Brisk Tabor has introduced a revolutionary new spark
in the world. The acquisition added 2 manufacturing facilities plug "Silver", suitable for use in natural gas combustion
in the Czech Republic - in Odry and Pribor to their list of engines. The plugs have a silver-covered electrode and their
production plants in 8 countries. The Czech branches will production costs 30 percent less than the conventional spark
supply the company's European customers, including plug. Brisk plans to export up to 65 percent of the total
Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, Mercedes and Renault. According to production. Unlike gasoline combustion engines, natural gas
GenCorp Senior Vice President Thomas Peoples, the company engines produce minimum toxic waste and 25 percent less
appreciates the high technical skills of the employees in both carbon oxide.
Czech facilities and is pleased to have included the Czech • Czech software developer Qbizm Technologies
Republic into the GenCorp global marketing strategy. revealed its new business plan to outsource Internet
• Czech beer "Budweiser-Budvar" (Budvar Brewery) was software development from the U.S. to the Czech Republic.
awarded the "Best Czech Lager" and Hostan the "Best Beer The project is based on the simple fact that the cost of software
Brewed by a Small Brewery" (production up to 200.000 development in the Czech Republic is significantly lower than in
hectoliters) in the competition by the Beer Courier Magazine. the United States, while the quality can easily be the same.
Qbizm ranks among the best Czech developers and recently
"Velkopopovicky Kozel" (Brewery Velke Popovice) was voted
opened a small office in Silicon Valley.
the best dark beer and "Velvet" (Prague Breweries) was voted
the best boutique beer. The Czech brewing tradition hosts a • 2000 was the most successful of the last ten years for
large variety of high quality beers offered by more than 60 the Czech Republic's tourist industry. Czech newspapers
breweries in the country, as noted by several U.S. importers attribute the record-high sales to the lasting favorable financial
and distributors. Beer specialties including the famous "Pilsner situation in the United States and throughout Western Europe,
Urquell" brand has become one of the fastest growing exports as well as stabilized economic environment in the Czech
from the Czech Republic to the US. Republic. Experts also noted that Czech catering and
accommodation facilities are now comparable to the most
• The Litovel brewery has become the first brewery in the
developed countries. The Czech Statistical Office was quoted
world to use highly pure water based on Bio-Control as saying that the number of overnight stays in Czech hotels for
technology developed by Japanese and Hungarian scientists. the year 2000 rose by over 18 percent, as compared to 1999.
• Citibank is launching retail services in the Czech Almost 90 million foreign tourists reportedly visited the country
Republic to complement its corporate division, which has been from January through October 2000.
active in the country since 1991. The bank says it expecs to • Flight tickets were the best-selling on-line commodity in
attract 50,000 to 75,000 clients within a year. Citibank has the Czech e-commerce industry in the year 2000, with sales
confirmed that the bank will rely on new distribution channels exceeding $1 million. These sales account for approximately 20
such as phone and Internet banking, but would also build up a percent of the total turnover in Czech electronic trade.
network of approximately 10 branches. The bank will gradually According to a survey conducted by Deloitte & Touche, home
build its own network and is not planning any acquisitions of appliances came second, followed closely by music recordings.
local banks. Representatives said at a news conference that
Citibank would not compete in prices. The Czech market is • The Czech Republic intends to join the world's most
dominated by Erste Bank's Ceska Sporitelna, KBC' unit CSOB developed countries in the World Bank and start
and the soon-to-be-privatized Komercni Banka. At least three participating intensively in the World Bank's development
other smaller banks recently launched a retail drive. programs. At the same time, the country will stop using the
World Bank funds. According to Czech Finance Minister Pavel
• A sharp increase in exports to the EU helped
Mertlik, the Czech Republic will sign an agreement regarding
Volkswagen's Czech unit Skoda Auto to raise sales by 13 entry to the graduation process at the World Bank and the IMF
percent yearly to 435,403 cars in 2000. Skoda sales in Western Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Europe rose 19.2 percent to 229,109 cars, while domestic sales
grew 6.5 percent to 80,882. Skoda had earlier reported that it • Winterthur, a Credit Suisse Group business unit, paid
raised production by 21.5 percent to 450,911 cars last year. The $70 million for a 93 percent stake in the largest Czech
Economist magazine recently rated Skoda Auto as the most pension fund, Vojensky Otevreny Penzijni Fond (VOPF). The
successful company in post-Communist Europe. Skoda's purchase was made as a part of Winterthur's strategy to
unassailable position on the domestic market is due to their become the pace-setting insurance company in its major
best-selling brands such as Octavia, Felicia and the highly markets. The move gives Winterthur a share of about 25
successful new compact Fabia, which came in fourth at the percent in the Czech supplementary pensions market, including
European Car of the Year 2000 awards. VOPF's 340,000 clients. Winterthur will have 550,000
customers and about 450 million Swiss francs worth of
• U.S. digital imaging leader Presstek is negotiating with mahaged assets in the Czech Republic.
Czech Adast Adamov to purchase 400 ADAST 507DI printing
machines. According to Adast representative, the Czech • A unit of the Austrian wood, paper and pulp trader
company is also prepared to negotiate a possible acquisition by Heinzel will take over the dominant Czech pulp producer
the U.S. partner. The merger would radically change Adast's Biocel. Heinzel will pay CZK 1.93 billion ($51 million) for the 94
chances on the world market. percent stake, or CZK 620 per share. The stake was mainly
held by investment funds controlled by a unit of Czech bank
• Cellular phones were perhaps the most popular gift in
CSOB. The sale remains subject to the approval of the Czech
the Czech Republic this Christmas. According to estimates, Anti-Monopoly Office.
there were 4.4 million mobile phone users among the Czech
Republic's 10 million citizens just after Christmas. All three • Moody's Investors Service announced an affiliation
Czech mobile operators had expected a steep rise in the with the Prague-based Czech Rating Agency CRA), the
number of clients and had reinforced their networks to handle largest credit rating agency in the nation. CRA is a subsidiary of
increased traffic around the end of the year. Although the 4 Pragocontact Corporation, located in Washington, DC. The
million Czech mobile phone users exchanged an incredible 43 primary activities of the new relationship will include technical
million text messages on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

Czech Embassy in Washington  February 2001

Czech Trade Focus Page 3 of 7

assistance, joint research production, and the promotion of • Otis Elevator Company plans to increase its current
credit analysis awareness in the Czech Republic. escalator production in its plant in Breclav, Czech Republic.
Otis, the U.S. subsidiary of the company United Technologies
• Vishay Intertechnology plans to build a new plant for Corporation, will transfer a part of its production to Breclav from
ceramic capacitors production in the Czech Republic within Germany. The company will have a world market share of
the next two years. Vishay, a manufacturer of passive electronic approximately 30 percent in escalator production. Otis has
and semiconductor components based in Malvern, PA, already invested about 15 mil. USD in Breclav and plans to
currently has 5 manufacturing plants and 1,700 employees in manufacture 1,500 escalators a year in the town.
the Czech Republic. The new plant will be located in Dolni
Rychnov and will employ 400 people. Vishay is the world's • UNI CZ Sobeslav signed a long-term contract with the
second largest manufacturer in its sector with sales last year U.S. company Teleflex Automotive Group, based in Troy,
exceeding $1.5 billion. Michigan. Under the contract, Czech engineering company UNI
CZ will supply 1.5 million brake system components by 2003.
• Akuma, a successful manufacturer of automobile Their parent company Teleflex employs 16,000 people
batteries in the Czech Republic, intends to invest 620 worldwide.
million euros into its new production facilities and
machinery in the United States. The company plans to add
batteries designed for use in telecommunications to its product
range. Akuma is part of the Italian concern Fiamm.

→ U.S. Managers Quote on the Czech Republic

• Boeing were looking for." - Wim H. Leenders, Director of Quality
"Boeing researchers from our 'Phantomworks' division visited Assurance, Vitatron Medical BV.
facilities at the VZLU and the Czech Technical University
Prague and found their existing capabilities to be exceptional. • Moody's
Today we have a very good relationship with both institutions." - "Prague is a regional intermediation and conference hub for
Earl Godby, Country Manager, Boeing Corp., Czech Republic. Central and Eastern Europe's growing markets. Moody's
strategy has always been to bring its expertise close to clients.
• Vitatron Through our presence in the Czech Republic, we hope to be
"Before WWII, the Czech Republic was the most able to build a strong position in CEE markets." - Chester
technologically advanced country in Europe, ahead of Germany Murray, Moody's Managing Director for Europe, London
and the Netherlands. I am not surprised that we found what we

→ Industry Focus: Precision Engineering

Precision engineering is one of fundamental manufacturing sectors in the Czech economy. Many of the world's leading
specialist suppliers have Czech subsidiaries; the country now hosts more than 40 percent of Europe's leading firms in the
automotive components sector. Many U.S. and European companies and associations, such as the U.S. Association for
Manufacturing Technology, run their regional offices from Prague. Czech engineers are both highly skilled and resourceful. Many
multinational firms are performing leading edge R&D and product & software development work either directly or through sub-
contracted Czech partners. Following are only a few examples of why foreign engineering firms rely on the Czech Republic to deliver
product innovation or to provide manufacturing cost benefits:

• Czech workers have established a track record of implementing flexible & innovative working practices.
• Surveys suggest that well over half of the foreign-backed manufacturing firms have non-unionized labor.
• A quarter of the firms are operating seven days a week, while almost a quarter do significant R&D.
• Czech wages and 'on costs' are just a fraction of the EU levels, while quality of the final output is equal or comparable.
• The Czech Republic spends more on R&D than other competing countries.

In addition to favorable manufacturing conditions, the CzechInvest Agency offers investors a number of incentives, including
tax relief, customs & labor grants, and other state or local benefits. The agency's database of over 150 greenfield & brownfield sites
is able to satisfy the stringent logistical, infrastructural and environmental requirements. A new "Supplier Development Program"
helps foreign manufacturers identify the most suitable local suppliers.

• Recent Innovations in Precision Engineering

Kovosvit manufactures vertical machining centers, CNC two-thirds of its staff are deployed to work on product
lathes, lathe centers & radial drilling machines. It exports more development. Working primarily in the automotive sector,
than 70% of its products, mainly to OECD countries. The south Amest's biggest customer is VW-Škoda Auto. The company
Bohemian company uses an Internet-based diagnostic system also works for "first-tier" component suppliers such as Meritor,
to speed up the servicing of its machines in the USA, using Visteon & Kolbenschmidt Pierburg.
automatic remote diagnostic units to pass service data to
Kovosvit. Simultaneously, fault analysis and the correct TOS Varnsdorf is a manufacturer of horizontal drilling
response is then sent back to the technician in the USA during machines and work centers. TOS Varnsdorf has responded to
his service call. customer requests by creating an effective way to link together
multiple boring machines (ranging from simple manual
Amest is a Czech-owned company that devises new machines to full CNC equipment).
measuring techniques for serial production machinery. Up to

Czech Embassy in Washington  February 2001

Czech Trade Focus Page 4 of 7

• Foreign Investments

Aerospace resistant nuts & bearings made in the Czech Republic. GCE
Airplanes: Boeing exports 80% of its Czech production. A recently introduced
Propellers: Hamilton Standard burner, designed in the Czech plant, gained much faster
Special Alloy Machining: Triplex Lloyd acceptance to the EU markets than the parent company had
Hamilton Standard, a part of United Technologies Corp., anticipated. AMF Reece, based in Moravia, operates central
manufactures aircraft propellers in a joint-venture with the Avia Europe's only manufacturer of top-quality industrial sewing
company. Triplex Lloyd operates a Prague joint-venture called machines.
Walter Deritend, which supplies precision castings made from
cobalt, nickel & steel alloys for critical components, such as Components
turbine blades for the aerospace sector and medical products. Tubes: Sandvik, Mannesmann
Relays: Siemens, Euro-Matsushita
Instrumentation Machined Parts: Frencken
Optical: Tyrolit, MW, Opticon Sandvik makes precision stainless steel tubes and pipes in a
Precision: Mahr plant in North Bohemia. Many of such tubes end up on the bed
Tyrolit owns stakes in three joint-ventures with Meopta, the of the North Sea in critical oil exploration and pipeline
country's largest optical equipment firm. Meopta specializes in applications, or in such far-flung markets as Canada and India.
optical finishing and employs over 500 people. Mahr runs its Siemens operates multiple Czech manufacturing plants and is
high quality production center in North Bohemia and is quite expanding its relay & low-tension switch factory in east
satisfied with the high levels of quality that it has achieved. Bohemia. The Dutch firm Frencken makes precision-machined
parts for Airbus autopilot systems and for Ariane space rockets
Machinery supplied by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace.
Automotive: Erwin Junker
Turbines: Sanborn Tool-Making
Engines: Leroy Somer, Jungheinrich Tools: Festo, Merona, Brawe
Control Equipment: GCE Tools & presses: Groupe FSD
Sewing Machines: AMF Reece Festo Tool Technik is expanding its export of electrical tools
Erwin Junker's German parent won a special Formel-Q98 from its Narex subsidiary in North Bohemia under the new
award from VW, the only machine-manufacturer to be awarded ProTool trademark. Swiss-based Merona operates multiple tool-
for exceptional quality. Many of its machinery components were making plants in the Czech Republic.
made in the Czech Republic. Sanborn's hydro-powered turbines
use special pressure-resistant screws and high temperature-

→ Useful Web Links

• Czech Embassy in Washington Www.czech.cz/washington
• CzechInvest - foreign investment promotion and consulting Www.czechinvest.org
• CzechTrade - trade and export promotion Www.czechtrade.cz
• Complete guide to doing business in the Czech Republic Www.doingbusiness.cz
• Database of quality products, components and services Www.supplier.cz
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Eurasia Business Councils Www.uschamber.org
• CEEBIC - U.S. Department of Commerce Www.mac.doc.gov/eebic/countryr/czechr.htm

→ Czech Companies Looking for Partners/Seeking Distributors in the U.S.

• Compass Capital Consult material, airgun pellets, and hunting shot. www.kovopol.cz
CCC is a business and finance Kovohute is looking for distributors and Mr. Jaroslav Hofman, Sales Director
consulting company, specializing in partners (trading companies, hunting
acquisition and mergers. Its clients are clubs, construction companies, etc.). • Metra Blansko
also recruited among drainage and P.O. Box 76 1. Electric measuring instruments
sewerage infrastructure operators. CCC 261 81 Pribram (clamp meters, testers and
is looking for U.S. companies interested Czech Republic checking instruments, precise
in investment or partnering in this sector. Tel.: (+420) 306.470.238, 604.209.318 laboratory instruments, etc.).
Ul. 1. maje 741 Fax: (+420) 306.21244 2. Temperature control and
73802 Frydek-Mistek E-mail: [email protected] measurement (bimetallic
Tel.: (+420) 658.37444 www.kovopd.cz thermometers, thermal cut-outs,
Fax: (+420) 658.34817 Mr. Jiri Jagr, Sales Manager capillary manometers, etc.).
E-mail: [email protected] 3. Machinary engineering production
Mr. Radek Novotny, CEO • Kovopol, Inc. (moulds and special tools, plastic
is a manufacturer of metal forming and injection parts, metal sheet
• HOBE Pardubice single-purpose machines, motor-car assemblies, etc.).
a manufacturer of carefully-distilled Kord repair shop machines, mold and tools, 4. International cooperation (assembly
vodka, is looking for U.S. distributors screw hose tips, and automatic nail- of semi-products, deliveries of
Tel: (+420) 40.518.064 making machines. The firm is looking for moulds and plastic injection parts).
Fax: (+420) 40.511.747 new partners. For more information, please contact the
E-mail: [email protected] 17. listopadu 226 company at:
Mr. Pavel Tesar 549 54 Police nad Metují Poříčí 24
Czech Republic 678 49 Blansko
• Kovohute Pribram Tel.: (+420) 447.945.11 Czech Republic
is a Czech manufacturer of lead sheets Fax: (+420) 447.946.77 Tel: (+420) 506.494.115
and foils, lead and alloy construction E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (+420) 506.494.145
Czech Trade Focus Page 5 of 7

E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (+420) 0657.611.136, 612.241 • Health service equipment,

www.metra.cz E-mail: [email protected] irradiators, hyperbaric chambers
www.mav.cz • Research, development, and
• Moravan Otrokovice, Inc. Mr. Daniel Smid , Export Manager accredited testing
is a manufacturer of the famous Zlin • Overseas trading
training, acrobatic and commercial • Skoda Holding For more information and inquiries,
aircraft. These world class aircraft are Skoda, founded in 1859, has become please contact the company at:
used for private, commercial and military one of the largest mechanical- Tylova 57
purposes. The company is seeking new engineering companies in the Czech 316 00 Plzen
partners in the United States. Republic over its 140-year existence. Its Czech Republic
Letiště 1578 registered trademark --the winged arrow- Tel.: (+420) 19.773.2100
765 81 Otrokovice - represents the very best of Czech Fax: (+420) 19.773.4934
Czech Republic manufacturing. A fundamental E-mail: [email protected],
Tel.: (+420) 67.792.2168, 792.2015 restructuring has been under way since [email protected]
Fax: (+420) 67.792.2148, 792.2103 1999. A new Skoda Holding was www.skoda.cz
E-mail: [email protected] established in April 2000 and took over
www.moravan.cz the key production units and most • Textilana Liberec
Mr. Josef Kapoun, Sales Department employees. The company keeps its is a Czech manufacturer of fabrics for
accounts in accordance with international men's and women's clothing, textile
• M&V Ltd. accounting standards. Several sectors, printing, knitted fabrics, wrappers, and
M&V Vsetin is a wholesaler of tools and which the company no longer identifies scarves. Textilana, a company with 1750
equipment, established in the year 1991. as strategic, are being sold primarily to employees, is looking for a
The company sells tools and equipment foreign investors. Following are just a few representative and distributor in the
for metalworking, woodworking and of Skoda's business activities: United States to extend its trade
construction, as well as clamping tools, • Energy machinery and equipment activities.
abrasives and measuring devices, hand- • Nuclear power, petrochemical Jablonecká 36
held electrical tools, and small machine industry 461 09 Liberec
tools. The goods are primarily of Czech • Transport system - electric Czech Republic
origin. The company has several locomotives, light cars, heavy metro cars Tel.: (+420) 48.539.6111, 510.0535
overseas subsidiares, shipment • Heavy machine tools Fax: (+420) 48.510.0500
warehouses, and direct retailers. • Foundries and forges E-mail: [email protected]
ul. 4. kvetna 288 • Rolling mills, sugar cane www.textilana.cz
755 01 Vsetin processing, hydraulic and curing presses Mr. Miroslav Syrovatko, Deputy
Czech Republic • Electric traction engines Chairman
Tel.: (+420) 657.611.127-9, 611.137

→ Czech Companies and New Products in the U.S.

• Czechvar Tel.: 203.668.6963 the Czech Republic that specializes in
The best-kept secret of European beer is Fax: 203.656.6676 the production of cased crystal,
finally in the United States! Two well- E-mail: [email protected] manufactured by putting a thin layer of
established U.S. distributors announce Mr. Rob Neuner the colored glass on the classic colorless
the introduction of Czechvar, an crystal base. Cutters then cut through the
authentic beer brewed and bottled by the World of Wine Ltd. colored layer and create a magnificent
Brewery B.B.N.P. in České Budějovice, 39 Brookdale Ct. contrast between the glittering cut and
the famous city in the Czech Republic LaFayette, CA 94549 the colored base. By using this difficult
which supplied beer to the court of King Tel.: 925.284.3091, 800.421.5904 technology in connection with the highest
Ferdidand I. as early as 1531. After 61 Fax: 925.284.3092 quality designer work, the company is at
years the beer is finally available in the E-mail: [email protected], the cutting edge of the world market.
United States. The unique taste of [email protected] Vases, bowls, chandeliers, sporting
Czechvar is the result of using the finest Mr. William G. Bruzzone, President trophies, and other beautiful products
handpicked Saaz aroma hops, carefully decorate the interiors of world famous
selected Moravian malt and soft water • Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co. locations and celebrity homes. For a
drawn from artesian wells 984 feet (300 The Viennese businessman Joseph catalogue and price list, please contact
meters) deep, and over 700 years of Schreiber established the Josefodol the company at:
beer brewing tradition and experience of glassworks in the romantic countryside of Tel.: (+420) 451.469.314
the South Bohemian region. To order the Czech-Moravian highlands in 1861. Fax: (+420) 451.456.205
please contact: After WWII, the last private owners the E-mail: [email protected]
Cisar/Caesar brothers gave the company www.caesar-crystal.cz
Czech Beer Importers, Inc. its name. The factory produces high Mr. Radek Ulrych Jr., Export Manager
33 Locust Hill Rd. quality fling glass. It is the only factory in
Darien, CT 06820

→ Travel Tips
• Visa Requirements be obtained subsequently after arrival. Since the processing
Although U.S. citizens do not need a short-term visa, the time may be very long in some cases, business travelers
Czech authorities do require a visa for working purposes, study, seeking temporary residence in the Czech Republic should
and general stays over 90 calendar days. All visas must be contact their respective Czech consular offices as soon as
issued by Czech Embassies or Consulates abroad, and cannot possible.

Czech Embassy in Washington  February 2001

Czech Trade Focus Page 6 of 7

Important Change: Tel.: (+420) 2.2484.1111

Beginning on April 1, 2001, Canadian citizens and holders Fax: (+420) 2.2484.2378
of Canadian passports must obtain a visa before travelling to
the Czech Republic. For more information, please contact • Dining
consular offices of the Czech Embassy in Washington or the Municipal House - French and Pilsner Restauarant
Consulate Generals in Los Angeles or New York, or visit our Art Noveau-style restaurant with French cuisine or Czech
homepage at www.czech.cz/washington. specialties, Pilsner beer, and live music
Nam. Republiky 5, Prague 1
• Business Travel Tel.: (+420) 2.2200.2770
The country's largest tradeshow organizer BVV offers Fax: (+420) 2.2200.2778
business travelers attending tradeshows in Brno custom- E-mail: [email protected]
tailored services such as interpreting, appointment organizing, www.obecnidum.cz
presentation management, etc. For inquires, please contact Rybi trh - Fish Market
BVV Business Center: Absolutely the freshest fish in Central Europe (NY Times)
Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.2776 Tynsky dvur, Prague 1
Fax: (420) 5.4321.1740 Tel.: (+420) 2.2489.5447
E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (+420) 2.2489.54449
BVV's daughter company BVV Fair Travel offers a www.flambee.cz
complete package of travel services for business travelers,
including accommodation, ticket reservations, transport and • Concerts
logistic services, and tourist programs. Agharta Jazz Centrum
Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.9170 Krakovska 2, Prague 1
Fax: (+420) 5.4115.9172 Tel.: (+420) 2.2221.1275
E-mail: [email protected]
• Tickets
• Hotels Bohemia Ticket International
Palace * * * * * Tel.: (+420) 2.2422.7832
Panska 12, Prague 1 Fax: (+420) 2.2161.2126
Tel.: (+420) 2.2409.1111 E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (+420) 2.2422.1240 www.ticketsbti.cz
Hilton Prague * * * *
Pobrezni 1, Prague 8

→ Upcoming Trade Fairs and Exhibitions

• Major Organizers Fax: (+420) 5.4115.3067 Fax: (+420) 2.3337.6444

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
For more information on the listed events
and a complete schedule of tradeshows DOMO - International Household EL-EXPO - 4th International Electronic
and exhibitions in the Czech Republic, Electrical Appliances and Household Automated Equipment and
please contact the following organizers. Utensils Fair Electronics Fair
March 21 - 25, 2001 March 6 - 9, 2001
BVV Project Manager: Alena Ficova Manager: Marie Pragrova
Vystaviste 1 Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.2947 Tel.: (+420) 2.2010.3482
647 00 Brno Fax: (+420) 5.4115.3066 Fax: (+420) 2.3337.8225
Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.1111 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (+420) 5.4115.3070
E-mail: [email protected] IDET 2001 - 6th International Exhibition Pragoregula - 23rd Measuring and
www.bvv.cz of Defense and Security Technology Control Technology Fair
and Special Information Systems March 6 - 9, 2001
Incheba Praha May 9 - 11, 2001 Manager: Marie Pragrova
Vystaviste Holesovice Project Manager: Karel Torn Tel.: (+420) 2.2010.3482
170 90 Prague 7 - Holesovice Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.4115.3272 Fax: (+420) 2.3337.8225
Tel.: (+420) 2.2010.3482 Fax: (+420) 5.4115.3054 E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (+420) 2.3337.8225 E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] BookWorld 2001 - International Book
www.incheba.cz • Prague Exhibition Grounds Trade Fair and Literature Across
Frontiers Conference
• Brno Exhibition Center Pragotherm - 28th International Power May 9 - 13, 2001
Industry, Heating, Sanitary Contact: Dana Kalinova
Days of Czech Beer - 2nd Sales and Technology, Energy Saving, Association of the Czech Guild of
Presentation Show of Czech Insulation, and Ecology Fair Booksellers and Publishers
Breweries March 6 - 9, 2001 E-mail: [email protected]
March 7 - 10, 2001 Contact Person: Vladimir Janous www.bookworld.cz
Project Manager: Ms. Gabriela Vargova Tel.: (+420) 2.2010.3471
Tel.: (+420) 5.4115.2922, 2985

Czech Embassy in Washington  February 2001

Czech Trade Focus Page 7 of 7

→ Czech Commercial Offices in the United States

There are three Economic and Commercial Offices of the Czech Republic in the USA. Their offices are integral parts of the
Embassy in Washington, D.C., and of the Consulate Generals in New York and Los Angeles. Their main task is to support Czech
products in the United States and to assist U.S. investors in learning about investment opportunities in the Czech Republic.
Territorial jurisdiction of each office is outlined as follows:
• Embassy in Washington, D.C.: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin (Midwest, South, and eastern portion of the West)
Contact: Ms. Veronika Lukasova, Tel.: 202.274.9104, Fax: 202.244.2147, E-mail: [email protected]
• Consulate General in Los Angeles: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming (western portion of the West).
Contact: Mr. Josef Dvoracek, Tel.: 310.473.0889 x.229 Fax: 310.473.9813, E-mail: [email protected]
• Consulate General in New York: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont (Northeast).
Contact: Mr. Jaroslav Remes, Tel.: 212.717.5643 Fax: 212.717.5064, E-mail: [email protected]

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Czech Embassy in Washington  February 2001