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Trade with Australia & New Zealand - February 2012

(This article expired 07.02.2015 / 04:52.)

Economic and Trade News from the Commercial Section of the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Sydney - February 2012 -


Czech Economy Briefs

 

The Czech Republic's foreign trade posted a surplus of Kc191.4bn (AUD 9,5bn) in 2011, a year-on-year growth of Kc70.2bn (AUD 3,5bn), the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) said. The balance improved mainly in machinery and transport equipment which recorded growth in surplus y-o-y. On the contrary, deficit deepened in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials and chemicals and related products. The surplus increased in trade with Germany, France and Slovakia. Trade balance with the USA showed a surplus after a previous deficit. The deficit in trade with Russia dropped. Due to depreciation of the crown against the both main currencies, external trade grew slower in euros and in dollars than external trade expressed in crowns.

PM Necas and Minister of Industry and Trade Kuba presented a proposal of 2012-20 Export Strategy. Beside 12 priority countries (including Brasil, China, India, Russia, Turkey etc.) there have been identified other 28 countries of interest with dynamic import growth including Australia.

The Czech National Bank´s governing board approved a loan of 1.5 billion euros, an equivalent of 38 billion crowns, from the foreign exchange reserves to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the euro zone.The Czech Republic was originally to lend 3.5 billion euros to the IMF.By providing the loan, the Czech Republic will manifest that it belongs to the group of economically healthy EU member states, Prime Minister Petr Necas said.

The Czech National Bank (CNB) has revised its estimate of economic development in the Czech Republic this and next year, expecting economic stagnation in 2012 and a 1.9 percent GDP growth in 2013. Total inflation will exceed 3 percent temporarily this year owing to the hike in value added tax, the CNB said. But it should drop below the CNB's inflation target of 2 percent at the beginning of 2013.

The Czech Republic's government debt reached 39.8 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2011 and was the seventh lowest in the 27-member European Union, according to data released by Europe's statistical office Eurostat.

Czech government is contemplating proposals to make nuclear power the source of up to 80 percent of the country's energy, according to reports in public media. This would require building more nuclear plants, and a report reviewed by the government in recent weeks says military training grounds are the most suitable potential sites for additional plants.


Business Briefs

 

The Czech Republic will become the host country for the top international research. The project Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is part of a European plan to build a new generation of large research facilities. The main goal of ELI consists in creating the latest laser equipment in the world. There will be accomplished and implemented research projects covering the interaction of light with matter at intensity being 10 times higher than currently achievable values. ELI will provide ultra-short laser pulses allowing to bring new techniques for medical image-display and diagnostics, radiotherapy, tools for new materials developing and testing, new procedures for radioactive waste disposal, the latest in X-ray optics, etc. ELI will also be an attractive platform for educating a new generation of PhD. students, scientists and engineers. It may attract further investment in advanced technologies with high added value. Preparation works for the ELI super laser, scheduled to start its operation in 2016 in Dolní Břežany, close to Prague, are already in progress.The expected finalization date is set to 2015.Once in full operation, the project will employ about 300 people. The total cost is estimated on EUR 280mil.

Czech Transport Minister Pavel Dobes and Carlo des Dorides, executive director of the European agency for the Galileo satellite navigation system (GSA), signed a host agreement on the transfer of GSA seat from Brussels to Prague. The transfer of the agency operating Galileo to Prague means the presence of the first all-European institution on the territory of the Czech Republic. The first two satellites of the Galileo system were launched on the orbit in October 2011. By 2014, GSA expects to launch 18 satellites in total which are to enable the operation of a navigation system for drivers.

The other two services to be offered by Galileo as of 2014 are a signal for search and rescue missions and a coded service concerning states' security tasks. Further two services will be added after all of the 30 planned satellites get on the orbit, that is in 2019 at the latest. They will be a coded signal for commercial purposes, such as land surveys and toll systems, and a certified signal for aircraft navigation.

Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are mainly used for military purposes, but professors and researchers at the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (LÚ) at the Brno University of Technology see great potential for "civilian" uses of UAVs such as search and rescue, livestock monitoring, wildfire mapping, pipeline security, home security, road patrol, scientific research, flood and natural disasters monitoring etc. Supported by the Industry and Trade Ministry, researchers at the university wanted to develop an aircraft that could be used for jobs that require eyes in the sky, like monitoring traffic or fire protection, but in a cost effective way.  They worked on an experimental semi-automated aircraft, which is a plane that can function by computer or with a pilot. In 2009, 40 staff from the LÚ in Brno completed the development of an experimental aircraft, theVUT 001 Marabu, to offer a long-endurance semi-automated plane for public use. While it can fly on autopilot, a pilot is still onboard in case the plane needs to be controlled in an emergency.  The success of the VUT 001 Marabu, enabled the development of two other aircrafts, which professors and researchers are currently working on. The jet engine, which is a product of the První brněnská strojírna company at Velká Bíteš near Brno, ushered in the creation of a high-performance turboprop aircraft called the VUT 061 TURBO. The aircraft is completely powered by the small engine. Also, the LÚ faculty has been working on a fully electric aircraft called the VUT 051 RAY.

US beer maker Anheuser-Busch has bought Czech brewery Budejovicky mestansky pivovar and has thus gained access to some of its registered trademarks Budweiser Bier. The transaction is also opening up the path for the US company to potential privatisation of state owned Budejovicky Budvar, the fourth largest beer maker in the Czech Republic. Budejovicky Budvar chief executive Jiri Bocek told the press that it is evident from the transaction that Anheuser-Busch does not plan to brew beer in the Czech Republic, but seeks above all control of intellectual property. The Budweiser trademark is used not only by Budejovicky mestansky pivovar, but also in the world more frequently by Budejovicky Budvar. Both the Czech brewers have for almost 34 years led lawsuits over the Budweiser trademark with Anheuser-Busch.


 

Czech exports to Australia and New Zealand

 

According to the latest export data of the Czech Statistical Office for the year  2011, exports from the Czech Republic to Australia have reached 390 mil. USD and exports to New Zealand over 45 mil. USD. Export figures indicate very strong trade performance, posting record volumes to both countries. Strong Australian dollar and weaker Czech crown may be seen as a major contributor.

 

Toys and passenger vehicles remain the leading export articles to Australia and New Zealand in 2011.

 Following graphs show the dynamics of major commodity exports in 2010 and 2011 in Australia:

 

 

 

 

… and New Zealand:

 


 

Czech companies seeking for Australian and New Zealand partners

 

PRECIOSA FIGURKY - With more than 4000 employees, PRECIOSA Group is the biggest producer of Genuine Czech Crystal glass objects in the world. The combination of a secret glass formula and highly advanced glass cutting techniques has enabled us to create exceptional glass objects. All our products excel in their optical features: purity, a high gleam and a deep sparkle.

PRECIOSA is continuing in the tradition of Czech glassmaking which dates back to the 14th century. We are a stable modern company operating worldwide.

Preciosa Figurky (Preciosa Figurines) is a division of the PRECIOSA Group. Preciosa Figurky is a popular producer and exporter of crystal jewellery and crystal gifts & home décor. Our main priorities are the production of top-quality Genuine Czech Crystal, design innovation with focus on original artistic design. Product catalogues are available at: http://www.preciosa.com/en/gifts-crystal-jewellery/download/. Company is seeking distributors in Australia and New Zealand.

Contact:  Ms. Marketa HASSOVA,  Sales Executive

Telephone: +420 488 115 340

Fax: +420 488 115 658

E-mail: marketa.hassova@preciosa.com

Web: www.preciosa.com

 

OPTIMSYS  - develops and markets software technologies and products for managing, processing and automation of voice communication. The company is characterized by strong orientation on open standards and state-of-the-art technologies. OptimSys is the specialist in CCXML/VoiceXML based solutions and speech processing technologies.

The company focuses mainly on the area of:

Voice Self Sevice (IVR), Call Center Solutions, Value Added Systems for Corporate Telephony, Telephony Integration with Business Processes and IT Systems(CTI), Managing and automation of communication in monitoring and dispatch systems, technology licensing for use in third-party products.

OptimSys offers large range of professional services including support and consultancy services and custom development. OptimSys successfully serves customers in four continents and would like to enter into cooperation with  Australian and New Zeland partners.

Contact:Mr.Pavel CENEK,  Director
Telephone: +420 511 205 391
E-mail: cenek@optimsys.cz

Web: www.optimsys.cz/en/

 

INVEA-TECH is an university spin-off company devoted to the development of state-of-the-art solutions for high-speed network applications. INVEA-TECH team has more than 10 years experience in the area of VHDL programming of FPGA chips and many years experience from monitoring of high-speed international network backbones.

The main focus of INVEA-TECH is to use programmable hardware (FPGA technology) in the area of security and monitoring of high-speed network applications. The target technologies are Gigabit and 10 gigabit Ethernet. The other focus of our company is to provide tools and devices for FPGA research and development. Company is looking for customers in Australia and New Zealand.

Contact:Mr.Michal BOHATKA,  Channel Account Manager
Telephone: +420 511 205 373
E-mail: bohatka@invea.cz

Web: www.invea-tech.com/

 

SMT PRAHA - The firm orientation and operation is the development and designing, manufacturing, sale and service of electrosurgery and cryosurgery systems, instruments, tools and accessoriesfor various medical specializations, including the special accessory equipment for dentistry, as well as the parallel line of equipment for veterinary surgery.

Contact:  Mr. Jan STRAUS, Managing Director

Telephone: +420/224 316 720

E-mail: straus@smt-praha.com

Web: www.smt-praha.com

 

PROMA REHA – manufacturer of health care products including beds, trolleys, bedside cabinets, mattresses and bathroom products.  Proma Reha emphasizes on development of their products based on own inventions but at the same time trying to implement improvements based on the experience and feedback from  customers. Company reflects specific requests and requirements of customers from EU as well as overseas, currently seeking for distributors in Australia.

Contact:  Ms. Daniela BARVOVA, Export Manager

Telephone: +420 775 776 099

Fax: +420 491 541 185

E-mail: export2@promareha.cz

Web: www.promareha.cz


 

Introducing: Czech Airlines ČSA AUSTRALIA

 

 


 

Tradeshows and Exhibitions in Australia

 

ACMM 22, ICONN 2012, APMC 10, venue: Perth,  February 5-9, 2012 

The 10th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC 10), the 2012 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2012) and the 22nd Australian Conference on Microscopy and Microanalysis (ACMM 22) is currently being held in Perth, Western Australia, as a single, integrated event.

The Conference is including Short Courses, Workshops and a concurrent major Equipment Exhibition, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The combined event is the largest microscopy and nanotechnology-related event in Australian history. Over 2000 delegates from more than 30 nations are expected to provide a unique and exciting forum, including experts from the Czech Academy of Science.

Czech Republic´s TESCAN belongs to the global suppliers of scientific instruments. The company is building its reputation and brand name in the field of designing and manufacturing scanning electron microscopes and system solutions for different applications. TESCAN is proudly sponsoring and participating in ACMM 22, ICONN 2012, APMC 10.


 

Business and Trade Websites

General Information www.czech.cz
Czech Supplier www.supplier.cz
CzechTrade www.czechtrade.cz
CzechInvest www.czechinvest.org
Tradeshows www.veletrhyavystavy.cz
Doing Busines in the Czech Republic www.doingbusiness.cz

 


 

Distribution Information

 

The “Czech Republic Trade with Australia and New Zealand” is distributed by the Commercial Section of the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Sydney.

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Sources: CzechTrade, CzechInvest, Czech Statistical Office and public media.

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