Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republ : Minister Kuba met entrepreneurs and mayors of South Moravian region

Published: 15.1.2013

Author: Veronika Forejtová, press spokeswoman [e-mail]

This year, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr Martin Kuba visited already the third Czech region in a row.

Minister Kuba met entrepreneurs and mayors of South Moravian region.

THIS YEAR, THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE, MR MARTIN KUBA VISITED ALREADY THE THIRD CZECH REGION IN A ROW. WITHIN HIS REGULAR TRAVELLING AROUND REGIONS, HE HEADED TO MORAVIA AGAIN, WHERE HE MET WITH REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS AND LOCAL MAYORS. THE MINISTER WAS ALSO DEEPLY INTERESTED IN PROJECTS FOR COMPANIES SEEKING NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS.

After visiting the Olomouc and Pardubice region, Mr Kuba went round the South Moravian region in January. In Brno, he first met with the mayors of South Moravian villages, with whom he discussed issues of a further development and economic needs of the region. With these local government representatives he talked about the topic of business support in the region.

The Minister´s afternoon schedule in the Moravian metropolis also included a meeting with members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic in Brno, which will celebrate 160 years since its foundation this year. Almost 90 representatives of companies from the region came to discuss with the Minister. The Minister, among other things, introduced his intentions in terms of promoting the technical education to ensure business companies a quality educated workforce. A set purpose are comprehensive measures to promote technical education and measures to change the law on income tax, the reallocation of resources from the European funds and simplified funding of the universities. Specific proposals for changes have already been prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Industry and Transport and the Ministry of Education, and the Minister wants to negotiate them with the Minister of Finance.

"It's very important to hear the views of companies, which are both taxpayers and employers. It depends on them, how the entire region prospers. That is why I want to know, how I can help them even more," said the Minister after a meeting with representatives of the private sector.

Mr Kuba also responded to the inquiries of entrepreneurs regarding the export support from the state. The speech came also to a possible improvement of business conditions in the Southern Moravia or a further development of transport infrastructure in the region.

"It is good that the Minister came directly into the region. An important thing is that he has a clear vision and idea on how to improve the conditions for Czech businesses. I hope that he will manage to follow up and will be successful in completing much needed infrastructure - i.e. quality roads and other routes to businesses and companies" said Mr Leo¹ Dvoøák, CTO of the Honeywell company on the grounds of the regional Chamber of Commerce after the meeting.

The main topics of the discussion included also the issue of difficult conditions for entrepreneurs. Mr Martin Kuba highlighted that this particular belongs to his priorities. According to him, a simplification of the relevant agenda is the way to enhancing the competitiveness.

"After a long time, we saw a living politician, who came to us to address the problems. He is well-poised. In consideration of a viability of ministers, I hope that he will be successful in fulfilling his visions. I also keep an eye closely on proceedings aimed at merging the Ministry of Transport with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which hopefully will really lead to savings" said Mr Emil Vaøeka, the director of the Brno Icontio company, when referring to the next point of discussion.

Another theme of the Minister´s meeting with representatives of the Brno Chamber of Commerce was opening of the international K + K website in relation to the Contact-Contract project, which is targeted at small and medium businesses. In line with supporting the export policy, it was developed in collaboration with technical and economic faculties of universities in order to help businesses in finding new business partners at home as well as abroad. It is run and operated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade within the Enterprise Europe Network project.

"I welcome the support of the Minister Martin Kuba, he gave to the project, paving the way to success for companies by means of a direct cooperation between universities and especially small and medium sized companies. A practical implementation of the innovation and change leads to the competitiveness of firms," said the director of the regional Chamber of Commerce in Brno, Mr Petr Bajer after the ceremonial launching of the website.

"We have companies with great competitive offers and products, being able to succeed in global markets. We must provide against stealing away of smart heads and dexterous hands from the Czech Republic," concluded Minister Martin Kuba launching of the new website, wishing it every success.

The Tuesday´s business trip of the Minister Kuba ended by a meeting with members of the Brno ODS.

Note: the press release is accompanied by photographs from the meeting of the Minister Martin Kuba with representatives of the Brno Chamber of Commerce.