 |
Czech Republic |
|
 |
| Membership in EU: | 2004 |
| Political system: | Republic |
| Capital city: | Prague |
| Total area: | 79 000 km² |
| Currency: | Czech koruna (CZK) |
|
|
|
|
Statistical Office
|
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
|
Entrepreneurship in the Country
|
Entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing is still a major economic activity, especially the production of automobiles, machine tools and engineering products. The main branches in Moravia are iron and steel industries, which have traditionally been among the largest in the Eastern Europe. Most important crops are corn, sugar beet, potatoes, wheat, barley and rye.
|
|
|
|
Track-Trace Shipments
|
|
|
|
International Trade Shows
|
|
|
|
Business Directories
|
Local Communities
|
|
|
|
|
Business Communication
Czechs are both formal and somewhat indirect in their business communication.
They try not to purposely offend and will often go out of their way to protect someone's feelings.
Czechs are non-confrontational and often take an indirect approach to business dealings.
If they lower their eyes and become silent, they are uncomfortable with something you have said.
|
|
|
|
Business Meetings
Appointments are mandatory and should be made in advance.
Letters should be addressed to the company rather than a specific person. This prevents a letter from being held up, if the person it is addressed to is away from the office.
Do not try to schedule meetings on Friday afternoon as many Czechs leave for their country cottages after lunch.
Many businesses close during August.
Punctuality for meetings is taken extremely seriously.
Initial meetings are scheduled to get to know each other and to see if your Czech associates believe, that you are trustworthy. The first meeting may be with a "gatekeeper" rather than the actual decision maker.
Expect some small talk and getting-to-know-you conversation, before business is discussed.
Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.
Do not remove your suit jacket, unless the highest-ranking Czech does so.
Presentations should be accurate, detailed and thorough.
Have charts and figures to back up your claims.
|
|
|
|
Business Negotiation
It will take several meetings for your Czech business associates to become familiar with you and appear comfortable and friendly. Politeness prevents many Czechs from giving an absolute 'no'. However, statements such as 'It is difficult' or 'We will see' are often negatives.
Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol.
Business is hierarchical. Decision-making power is held at the top of the company. Decisions are reached slowly.
It may take several visits to reach a decision.
Avoid high-pressure tactics.
Czechs generally offer, what they expect to get and do not often give counter-offers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President
|
Government
|
Prime Minister
|
Ministries
|
Constitutional Court
|
Legislation
|
|
|
|
|
Geographical Characteristics
|
Almost 95% of the country is covered with hills and mountains, which are ideal for skiing, mountain biking and mountaineering. Wild boar and fox are found in the abundant woodlands.
|
|
|
|
Languages
|
Czech; also Slovak, German, Hungarian, Romanian and Polish.
|
|
|
|
Short History
|
The Czech Republic became an independent state in January 1993, after the Czechoslovakia peacefully split into 2 constituent parts. Before World War II Czechoslovakia was one of the ten most industrialized states in the world and the only central European country, which preserved a democracy till 1938.
|
|
|
|
Time Zone
|
International Dialing Code
|
Average Temperatures
|
July 19 0C, January 7 0C.
|
|
|
|
Opening Hours of Banks
|
Monday - Thursday: 9.00am – 5.00pm.
|
|
|
|
Opening Hours of Post-Offices
|
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 6.00pm.
Saturday: 8.00am – 12.00pm.
|
|
|
|
Opening Hours of Shops
|
Legally permitted opening hours of stores:
Monday - Saturday: 8.00/9.00am – 6.00pm.
|
|
|
|
Credit Cards
|
Credit cards are accepted widely in Czech Republic: Visa, MasterCard–EuroCard, American Express. They are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and stores, as well as in almost every petrol station.
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Exchange
|
Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger department stores.
|
|
|
|
Mobile Telecommunications
|
The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal, since the operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: O2, T-mobile, Vodafone.
|
|
|
|
Anti Smoking Law
|
From January 1st 2007 smoking is partially prohibited. It is only allowed in restaurants, bars, pubs and night clubs, but these areas are not separated from non-smoking premises.
|
|
|
|
Emergency Telephone Numbers
|
Population of the State
|
Population of the Capital
|
Demographics
|
Religion
|
|
|
|
|
|
