INVESTORS IN MSK

success. The Dutch are quite open and egalitarian people

and have no issue trusting each other in general, which

makes cooperation easy and results oriented.

Can you introduce us to the activities of the NetherlandsCzech Chamber of Commerce in the Moravian-Silesian

Region? Is it involved in any specific projects?

We are currently involved in setting up a programme called

On the Road to Smart Industry, in which the MoravianSilesian Region should play a role.

A study called the 2021-2023 Czech-Dutch Action Agenda

for Industry: Integrated Smart Industries for Recovery

in Europe has just been presented to Minister Havlíček

by the Dutch Ambassador, which will form the basis of

an ambitious cooperation project to become a joint

powerhouse of industrial innovation in Europe. We certainly

hope that businesses, local government, and universities in

the Moravian-Silesian Region will show interest in joining

this ambitious programme.

Do the citizens of your country, or representatives of

companies, consider the Czech Republic, and therefore

the Moravian-Silesian Region, to be an attractive

destination? And how do they feel here?

The Czech Republic is a favourite destination for Dutch

people and not just for the excellent beer and the

capital city only. Czech nature is second-to-none--for

a densely populated country such as The Netherlands,

Czech nature is a welcome change for many a Dutch

visitor, not to mention the abundance of historical sites

and opportunities for outdoor sports that the Dutch

appreciate.

What is your favorite dish and have you tasted

something in the Czech Republic that you did not

know from your home country?

I like traditional dishes such as svíčková na smetaně and

vepřo knedlo zelo best. It depends on how they are

cooked and by whom, though, I have learned. I am a big

fan of Czech baking as well--you can always wake me up

for a freshly made bábovka, buchta or koláč!

Mr Brouns, thank you for the interview.

Text: redakce

Foto: archiv

Nizozemsko-české

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