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Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer says his country offers “excellent” opportunities for Hong Kong businesses
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“Hong Kong is one of the world’s most dynamic economies, one of the best examples of how openness in trade and investment brings rewards and prosperity,” said the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Fischer, during his first official visit to Hong Kong, 4-6 September. A Czech delegation of senior government officials and business leaders accompanied the Prime Minister.
“I am here to promote our country as a place for investment,” he said, speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The Prime Minister told the gathering of Hong Kong business people that Czech-Hong Kong “relations are very good, and we would like to promote them even further in light of the global economic crisis.”
IT Promise
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| HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam points out Victoria Harbour to Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer |
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Hong Kong, he said, “is an important business partner in this part of the world for us. In fact, we have a kind of business triangle at work, since one-third of our imports and exports with China go through Hong Kong, and I hope trade will only increase between us.”
In particular, Mr Fischer noted the growth of IT and the popularity of computers and electronics products in the Czech Republic, adding: “I believe Hong Kong can play a crucial role in this dynamic development, and also in the field of R&D.”
In addition, the Prime Minister highlighted the areas of engineering, electronics, the automobile industry, the environment and the food, textile and glass industries as good prospects for cooperation between the two economies.
He also noted “higher forms of cooperation to be important,” including services, investment and third-market cooperation.
“We are here to open the doors, but it is up to businesses to find their way into the markets. Good business people,” he added, “will always find their way.”
Last year, total trade between the two economies reached US$916 million, up 20 per cent over the previous year. In the first seven months of 2009, Czech exports to Hong Kong increased 13 per cent, while Hong Kong exports to the Czech Republic dropped 10 per cent over the same period.
Noting the dip in Hong Kong exports this year, the Prime Minister said, “I am convinced that due to our traditions and technological development, our position in the centre of Europe and membership in the European Union, we are an excellent destination for Hong Kong businesses. It is no accident that CzechInvest, the Czech agency for investment support, opened an office in Hong Kong in 2002.”
Best Business Advice
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HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Christopher Jackson (front right), and Zdenek Kocarek, Foreign Department Director, Czech Chamber of Commerce (front left), sign a trade cooperation agreement
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Statistically Speaking
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Jan Fischer’s first word may well have been a prime number. After all, digits are deeply embedded in the Czech Prime Minister’s genes.
Mr Fischer was born to a family of mathematical statisticians and actuarial mathematicians. His father, a scientific employee of the Mathematics Institute of the Czech Academy of Science, was devoted to statistical applications in genetics, breeding and medicine. His mother was a statistician, and “my elder son is also a statistician – a scientific statistician,” he told Hong Kong Trader.
It goes without saying that the Prime Minister is also a statistician by profession. “My entire professional background is in statistics,” he said.
Mr Fischer did his post-graduate studies in economic statistics, becoming Deputy Chairman of the Czech Statistical Office in 1993. He was named Chairman of the Office in 2003. And there the non-partisan Mr Fischer remained until chosen to lead “an interim government of technocrats” earlier this year, following the toppling of the government of then Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek in a no-confidence vote.
Asked how it feels to go from statistics to politics, Mr Fischer smiled broadly. “A very different life,” he said. “A fantastic experience, but also a fantastic challenge.” His statistical experience, he added, has been “helpful” in his new career.
Czech parliamentary elections are expected later this year, at which point Mr Fischer is likely to leave politics for the infinitely less variable world of numbers.
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The Prime Minister had some advice for companies wanting to do business with the Czech Republic: “The best advice is, please, let’s go on. Our companies are ready for further cooperation. That’s the best remedy to overcoming the economic crisis. Let’s continue to do business.”
The Czech Republic’s economy is forecast to shrink 3.5 per cent this year, after growing by three per cent in 2008.
Asked when he thought the Czech economy would rebound, the Prime Minister said it was “an intriguing question. I always like to say that the first victims in an economic crisis are the forecasters and prognosticators. As a statistician by profession, I know what I’m talking about.” Nevertheless, Mr Fischer said “slight growth is predicted for next year. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Beyond Pure Business
The Prime Minister also emphasised cooperation “beyond pure business,” citing a “substantial history” with Hong Kong in cultural, educational and scientific collaboration. “Our academy of science is very active with its counterpart in Hong Kong, and we have a great interest in promoting it even further and extending our cooperation.”
During his stay in Hong Kong, the Prime Minister met separately with Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and Edmund Ho, Chief Executive of Macau, before departing for the Philippines. Two trade cooperation MOUs were signed during his visit, one between the HKTDC and the Czech Chamber of Commerce and another between the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Czech Chamber of Commerce.
