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