Message from Ambassadors

The Czech Republic—— Aiming at Future,Remembering the PastTomáš Dub
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan

H.E. Ambassador of the Czech Republic Mr. Tomáš Dub was appointed to Japan in August 2014. He was born in Prague,
capital of the Czech Republic. His previous post was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for relations with non-European countries, export promotion and development assistance. He also served for two election terms as a Member ofParliament of the Czech Republic, where he was active mainly in Foreign and Defense Committees. Early in his career, he was
two times elected Mayor of Prague 7. He graduated from the Prague University of Economics, Faculty of International Relations.

As industrial revolution was born in Europe 150 years
ago, the Czech Republic emerged as the geographicalcenter, harvesting its history of a territory, which was a junction of influences, trends and armies and became a pounding
heart, which supports, with its regular beat, the regions ofCentral Europe.
A long row of inventions and innovations was born in theCzech Republic. Emerging at the beginning of the 20th centuryand emerging again a quarter century ago, when market economy and prosperity returned to our lands, after a brief historicintermission. These days, twenty five percent of our GDP isbeing created by manufacturing industry, providing a solidbase and growth potential. But the most appreciated additive isthe craftsmanship of our people, their struggle for innovationand flexibility. People inspired by our industrial tradition, of
which twenty five percent choose to graduate at a technicaluniversity. A margin matched by some of our neighbors,
though we offer the advantage of substantially (up to 50%)
lower labor costs when considering average yearly salaries.

Czech Republic was there, when the automotive history waswritten. From the beginning we distributed reliable and popular cars throughout the world, which became the basis of
our automotive industry today. A leading and competitive
industrial field, which belongs to the strongest in Europe.
Brands like Skoda (part of Volkswagen Group), or Tatra
which was historically the 3rd car producer all over theworld, are familiar throughout continents. Our experienceearned us trust of the key players of automotive industry.
This year Toyota Motor Company has launched the next generation models for European market, produced in TPCA
factory in the Czech Republic. And car producers from othercountries are joining in, following the trail of excellence inmanufacturing and development.
Our present industrial environment creates a vital breeding
ground for high tech sectors as space and aviation. Keeping
up with the latest fields is our outstanding nanotechnology
emerging from research and universities, positioning us asleaders in the worldWe aim at the future and remember our past. We continually extend our research and scientific infrastructurewith its high quality and active academic sphere. OverallCzech investment into research and development are relatively high about of 2% of country’s GDP. We remember ourscientists who led the way, or were the first ones at the dawnof a new industrial field. Johan Gregor Mendel put the basisof genetics, Otto Wichterle developed the first contact lenses, prof. Antonin Holy discovered ingredients or components
on which medication to fight HIV is based.

Mr. Tomáš Dub, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan20

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Activities of foreign investors are welcomed and supported
as in many other countries. What makes our environment
different and special is the higher profitability of foreign
direct investment in spite of the fact the Czech Republic
was experiencing a recession last year.

Together with a Czech Parliament delegation and representatives of Czech Chamber of Commerce and Czech businesses, Mr. JanMládek, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, visited Japan from November 10 to November 13, 2014.
[Left photo] Minister Mládek with Mr. Yoichi Miyazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan during the meeting concerning
Japanese investments to the Czech Republic. [Right photo] Minister Mládek visited Toshiba Factory in Kawasaki.

For Japanese investors the Czech Republic is on the 4thplace in the number of investment projects in Europe.
Today, there are 230 successful Japanese companies engaged in the Czech Republic out of them 96 opened their
manufacturing facilities and 11 technology centers. They invested almost 6 milliard dollars and created more than 44
thousand new jobs. The most significant of all are worldwide well-known Japanese investors like Toyota, Panasonic,Denso, Daikin or KYB.
The Czech market is an integral part of common Europeanmarket, but has many substantial specifics, derived from thefacts stated above. Important part of this environment is theeconomic stability and development. Domestic-driven economic recovery is underway and is expected to strengthen.
The Czech economy has already overcome bad times linked
with world’s economic recession and is now heading into
the direction of economic growth. Our GDP growth thisyear is forecasted to reach 2%. Standard and Poor’s rating
AA-, Moody’s A1 and Fitch A+.

We value the trust of Japanese investors and share thejoy over their success in the Czech Republic. I understand Japanese investment to the Czech Republic as animportant part of overall Japanese export efforts towards
European market, which are more effective than direct export at all.
And by the way. As a bonus we offer stable environment,professional institutions, rich cultural history, vital culturalscene, centuries of architecture, culinary exploration, Czech
beer and a world with firm and close ties to Japan.

One of the most visibles Japanese investments in the Czech Republic - TPCA (Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile) and their products.
＊ This message was contributed in December 2014.

JOI 特別会員『チェコインベスト（ビジネス・投資開発庁）』のご紹介
チェコインベストは外国直接投資の誘致を主な目的として 1992 年に設立された、産業貿易省の外郭団体です。98 年に日本オフィスを設立して以来、日本の投資家に向け投資に関するコンサルティング（投資や産業に関する情報提供、EU 基金による財政支援、不動産・M&A 対象企業・現地調達先の紹介等）を無料で提供。また、投資優遇措置の申請を扱うことのできる唯一の政府機関としてチェコの経済発展に大きな役割を果たしています。2015 年１月には、国際ナノテクノロジー展 nano tech 2015 にパビリオン出展予定。チェコ共和国大使館と共同でチェコ企業の振興にも努めています。日本語でお気軽にお問い合わせください。

チェコインベスト（ビジネス・投資開発庁）
TEL: 03-5485-8266 FAX: 03-5485-8277
E-Mail: tokyo@czechinvest.org WEB:www.czechinvest.org

駐日代表
エリシカ・ノヴァーコヴァー

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