The Czech Republic has become an increasingly important trading partner with the UK since its entry into the EU and over the last few years it has established itself as one of Europe’s fastest growing economies. Its GDP growth of 6.5% in 2007 was more than double the EU average of 2.6%. This year GDP growth for the Czech Republic is 4.9%, outstripping the predicted EU average of 2% for the year (Eurostat).
With a population of just 10.2m, the Czech Republic punches above its weight as a trading partner for Europe’s largest economies. It has the 9th largest export market in the EU and is the 29th largest export market to the UK. UK companies with major Czech operations include market leaders such as Vodafone, Tesco, International Power, Bovis Lend Lease and LogicaCMG. The role of the Chamber is to build on these strong relationships and develop new business ties in the future.
The Chamber is supported by major international companies, whose representatives will be present at the event, including ArcelorMittal, Budvar, Clifford Chance LLP, CGS Group, CP Holdings Ltd, Czech Airlines j.s.c., DLA Piper, Erste Bank, GlaxoSmithKline, MND Exploration & Production and SAB Miller.
The launch of the Chamber has also received the support of the UK Government’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Digby Jones. In his message of support, Lord Digby Jones described the Czech-British Chamber of Commerce as “an important milestone in the continuing development of ever closer bilateral relations between our two countries”.
The former UK Minister of State for Europe, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, will be one of the keynote speakers at the official launch of the Chamber at the Czech Embassy.
HE Jan Winkler, the Czech Ambassador to the UK, and the Czech Embassy have been instrumental in the creation of the Czech-British Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman of the Czech-British Chamber of Commerce is Ladislav Hornan, Managing Partner of UHY Hacker Young, the UK accountancy group.
Press release