In terms of Economic Diplomacy Action Plan during Covid-19 pandemic situation, Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi carries out these important events.

1) Round table on Cooperation in the post-COVID period between the Czech Republic and Karnataka

Virtual event on September 2, 2020 organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Government of Karnataka brought together nearly dozen of companies from the Czech and similar numbers from the Indian side to exchange the view on trade and investment conditions in this important South Indian state, which profile corresponds to some extent to the export potential of Czech industry. That´s why is Karnataka a sought-after place for exhibitors (annual participation in the IMTEX Trade Fair in Bengaluru) and investors (PBS Velká Bíteš, LIKO-S). The round table was sector-wise primarily focused on machine tools, forming and pressing machines, milling machines and CNCs, the engineering industry and related technical fields. On the Czech side, the Chief Guest was the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Mrs. Martina Tauberová and on the Indian side the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Mr. Gaurav Gupta. The Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic and CzechTrade also took part in this event.

2) Participation in the Rail Connect 2020 conference as a Partner Country

On September 8, 2020, Czech Republic partners RailConnect 2020, important conference on railway transport, which takes place with the organizational support of CII (Confederation of Indian Industries). The virtual conference was important not only because of reach between the large CII membership base, but also because the almost unlimited capacity of online environment. The main aim was to interact with India's top Railways sector leaders - Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman V. K. Yadav were among the auspicious speakers, however, Jan Sechter, Deputy Minister of Transport for EU & International Relations, Railways, Water Transport, Civil Aviation, ITS, Space and R & D and Director General of the Association of Czech Railway Industry Marie Vopálenská also addressed the audience of RailConnect 2020 during inauguration of the conference. The conference seen also the presence of Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, H.E. Milan Hovorka as well as important representatives of Czech industry, companies BMT Drive Solutions, BONATRANS, DAKO-CZ and PARS Komponenty.

3) The Business Mission of Czech Space industry to India:

Another important event, where is the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi planning to hold a presentation at virtual fair, is International Space Conference and Exhibition, which is organized by Confederation of Indian Industries from September 15, 2020. As can be derived from the title, Expo is focused on the space industry and Czech Republic reveals its confident position through ambitious participation as a Focus Country. In cooperation with the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and Czech Space Alliance the support of this project covered by program PROPED attracted participation of 7 Czech companies BBT, BD Sensors, Frentech, Huld, Iguassu, PBS Velka Bites and Toseda.  Involvement of the Czech Republic as a Focus Country also includes online webinar where the Ministry of Transport, Czech Space Alliance and concerned companies will present their products and services.

4) Presentation of Czech Waste Management and Water Treatment Industry in India

The topic of waste management and water treatment is a phenomenon not only in India where is strong potential despite the current impossibility of physical travel and trade fairs due to present coronavirus situation. Therefore, Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic plans to organize the participation of the Czech Republic as a partner country in the important Waste to Worth Conference, which will be virtually organized by Confederation of Indian Industries on October 30, 2020. On behalf of the Czech Republic, several companies have already expressed interest in participation. The Institute of Circular Economy plans to be a knowledge partner of the Czech´s participation at this event, which will appear in the role of Partner Country of the Conference. The Czech Republic plans to strive for a bloc dedicated to the Czech industry representatives and we also plan the participation of the high representative of the Czech government in the inaugural session.

Milan Dostál, Economic Diplomat, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Delhi