BUSINESS
Why the Baltics, and what specific places are you
planning to visit?
We have been monitoring an increasing interest in
these markets for a while now. From a selection of three
Baltic countries, we decided on Estonia and Lithuania.
The mission itself will take place from Tuesday, 24 May
to Friday, 27 May 2022 in Vilnius and Tallinn.
We are able to organize this event thanks to the MS
RCC’s partnership with the international web of
business support—Enterprise Europe Network and
cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
Chambers of Commerce of the involved countries.
The event will be overseen by Deputy Governor of the
Moravian-Silesian Region Jan Krkoška.
What is the current situation in these countries?
The Baltic countries are not significantly dependent
on tourism and so were not impacted as heavily as
others during the coronavirus pandemic. As smaller
economies, they are also far more flexible, allowing
them to respond quickly. The internationally acclaimed
index of the World Bank, Ease of Doing Business, rates
all three Baltic countries in the top twenty, and their tax
systems are very well crafted.
What kind of businesses is this mission aimed at?
This mission is aimed at companies operating in
the manufacturing, furniture, chemical, medical and
pharmaceutical industries. Other supported fields
include IT, electrotechnics, the automotive industry
and transport infrastructure.
However, if companies from other fields express
interest, we will do our best in conjunction with
economic diplomats from the involved countries in
order to find suitable partners for these companies as
well.
What lies in store for mission participants
throughout those four days?
Prearranged bilateral negotiations with Lithuanin and
Estonian business partners, arranged in cooperation
with the Chambers of Commerce in Vilnius and
Tallinn, will make up the most significant portion of
the programme. Bilateral and networking negotiations
are highly sought after events as they offer the
opportunity to effectively establish contact with
foreign partners in a short amount of time. Visits to
interested businesses from fields corresponding to
the mission’s themes and an additional programme,
including receptions at the embassies or a tour of
landmarks in both cities, are also part of the event’s
timetable.
Do you think that business missions are an
appropriate form of international cooperation?
We base these events on our experience and tradition,
as the MS RCC has been conducting similar missions
for five years now. In the past, we organized missions to
places such as Magdeburg, Saint Petersburg, Hannover,
and Novi Sad and, judging from our experience, we
can say that in-person meetings and negotiations
are an effective way to develop contacts and discuss
potential cooperation. With the help of economic
diplomats and other involved partners, we search for
partners and essentially handpick them according to
our participants’ requirements. Participants then know
exactly who and where they are meeting, which saves
them time and finances.
How much does participation in such a mission
cost, and what are the participation requirements?
The entire programme, including assistance from our
employees and local transport, is free. Participants
pay only for their airplane ticket and accommodation,
which, of course, varies.
We offer consultations, where we discuss expectations,
to any interested party. You can contact us at
een@khkmsk.cz, or at +420 597 479 330.
Any necessary information can also be found on the
Industry Opportunities in Estonia and Lithuania for
Czech Companies webinar, which we are currently
preparing in conjunction with the Czech Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. Petr Preclík and Tomáš Vostrý,
Czech economic diplomats in Tallinn and Vilnius,
will familiarize the participants with the current
state of different sectors of Baltic industry, present
requirements for entry into specific markets and discuss
local business negotiation culture. Details regarding
the webinar, as well as the mission as a whole, can be
found on our website, www.khkmsk.cz.
Ms Šitavancová, thank you for the interview.
Text: redakce
Foto: KHK MSK
POSITIV 1/2022 ǀ 19