Economic diplomacy in practice
15.09.2014 / 10:10 | Aktualizováno: 02.10.2015 / 10:12
Článek náměstka Martina Tlapy pro E15 Weekly ze dne 15.9.2014.
Increased emphasis on economic diplomacy and the growing role of economics for the foreign ministry and its representative facilities comprise a notable trend in most Western countries. The reason for this is systemic changes in global trade over recent years. A more active role for the state in the areas of attracting foreign investment, supporting entrepreneurial activities abroad, removing barriers to market entry and seeking solutions to potential risk factors has a fundamental significance for the development of new businesses and the creation of new jobs.
In an effort to offer Czech businesses appropriate replacement territories for the export of products affected by ongoing Russian sanctions, we have assembled a list of alternative opportunities. The list stems from analyses of conditions across various countries, of growth opportunities in those countries, and of the relative positioning of the competition. In the field of the mining industry, we were able to evaluate a number of interesting opportunities opening up in Canada. A current mining project in Quebec with a budget of CZK 28bn is bringing countless opportunities. Higher demand for oil-related technology is also anticipated in Macedonia. Opportunities are also opening up for exporters hit by restrictions on exports to Russia of dual-use goods and technologies. This situation relates to turbines and generators, and we have managed to locate replacement export outlets for these goods in Denmark, South Korea and Slovakia. The alarming state of British energy infrastructure also represents an opportunity.
Malaysia represents an extraordinarily attractive market for firms operating in the aviation and defence industries.
Opportunities are opening up to partake in building up capacities in the aviation industry, including via technological cooperation and advanced materials development and design. Malaysia has also expressed an interest in improving its existing defence systems. A sharp rate of civil aviation development can meanwhile be observed in India. While the food industry in Saudi Arabia is certainly worth closer examination, as the country imports 70 percent of its foodstuffs. New export opportunities for meat products are presenting themselves in Japan thanks to gradually changing dietary habits among a great number of that country’s population. In spite of the current complicated state of affairs, we certainly have no intention of abandoning the Russian market. But given the developments in the current crisis, we are making sure that we map out the worst possible scenarios and concurrently seek out substitute opportunities elsewhere in the world.