Exports outside the EU are growing

TECO_CR_c_Taiwan.qxd 18.4.2018 17:11 Page 5 T A I W A N b u s i n e s s l services l production support the Czech Republic for Taiwanese companies. TECO has traditionally helped Czech companies to provide incentives to participate in Taiwan trade fairs, and last year also organized three B2B meetings with Taiwanese business delegates to Europe. As Taiwan is the world's largest IT hardware producer and also the world's leading producer of semiconductors, optoelectronics and information and networking products, it was particularly the ICT delegation that met with great interest. Taiwan's dynamic economy offers huge business opportunities - strategic location, infrastructure and capital make the island the ideal backbone for business activities in Asia and the Pacific. Taiwan was recently selected among the top ten countries worthwhile visiting in 2017 by the UK publisher of Rough Guide. "As the only democratic country in the Chinese world Taiwan boasts unique geography, mentality and identity. In addition to the issues of business cooperation, the Embassy will be happy to highlight the fact that to go to this beautiful island at least as a tourist is really worth it. " Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) TECO has been operating since 1991 as the embassy of the Republic of China in Taiwan (R.O.C.). Its main objective is to contribute to the development of mutual relations between the Czech Republic and Taiwan. It strengthens understanding between the two nations, develops cooperation with the Czech media, issues publications and audio-visual materials about the island, and publishes a monthly newsletter. The Consular Section establishes and maintains contacts with representatives of the Czech Executive and Legislative Power, coordinates cultural exchange between countries and at the same time issues visas for visitors to Taiwan and travel documents for citizens of the R.O.C. The Science and Technology Division organizes scientific exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, and acts as a representative office for Taiwanese science parks. The most important agreements for economic cooperation are the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (C1ECA) with the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Czech Industry, which have paved the way for joint projects in the areas of market research, trade missions, seminars, product exhibitions and trade fairs. p www.roc-taiwan.org/cz_cs Exports outside the European Union are growing The greatest benefit of the CzechTrade agency is, according to companies, the physical presence of its agents abroad. The factors most appreciated by exporters include knowledge of the environment and know-how, language skills and business contacts. With regard to the institutional sphere, the CzechTrade agency is the most natural partner for businessmen in the long term, and perceived by them as proven and independent state support, as shown by the results of the survey, prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic together with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and Tradesmen (AMSP ČR). The survey clearly showed that from a wide range of government export-related support services, companies most appreciate the support for their presentation abroad. In addition, information service, export insurance, state assistance abroad and export training were also listed as important by the companies. "The state has been striving to support small and medium size business including their export activities of course. One of the most important parts of the entire export process is a successful foreign market entry. To achieve this, the state provides help by means of the presentation service abroad. We are aware that for small and medium size businesses trade missions are not the most important tool but instead they require information and marketing services, personal support at the export destination and financial export tools," explains the Minister of Industry and Trade Mr Jiří Havlíček. "The most frequent reasons why exporters use the services of CzechTrade include, in addition to marketing and promotion assistance, search for suitable business partners or distributors. The biggest benefit for the companies, according to the survey, is our worldwide network of export market agents who have a deep knowledge of their territories and can thus provide valuable know-how to exporters," says Radomil Doležal, CEO of Czech Trade. The most frequently used service of the agency, according to the survey, is the support of participation in foreign exhibitions and fairs. It was used by 71% of companies. 46% then used the export consultation service and 45% the partner search service. Three quarters of exporters, who have experience with the CzechTrade services, would be happy to use their services again. The Association of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Tradesmen of the Czech Republic (AMSP CR) was interested, among other things, in what direction Czech exports are moving. The survey shows that the number of Czech companies that are exporting to countries outside the European Union is growing. "Compared to last year, we see an increase in companies exporting outside the European Union, particularly to the Commonwealth of Independent States and to the Middle East. The markets in the CIS countries are reviving, with Russia becoming a driving force, which, following several years of downturn, is growing – having achieved a year-on-year growth by 21 per cent in the first four months of the year, according to statistics. Percentage of companies exporting to at least 11 countries increased by 7 per cent against last year. p www.czechtrade.cz www.technikaatrh.cz 5