Strategic Investments in the Field of Chips
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Today, at the IDea Forum in Ostrava,
you spoke about the industrial vision
of the Czech Republic and its development
trends. How do you personally see
the industrial development strategy in
the Moravian-Silesian region? What are the
current trends according to you?
I must say that the Moravian-Silesian
region has great development potential.
The region has a strong drive not only in
terms of supporting investments, but also
in the field of innovations. The investments
we are looking for should have high added
value and be connected to the ecosystem
of innovative companies, universities, and
startups. This seems to work very well here
in the region.
What do you consider to be the key
factors for investors considering
entering the region?
Investors consider several things: connection
to supply chains, human resources, availability
of investment sites, and transport, energy,
and ICT infrastructure. Investment incentives
are often lower in their decision-making
hierarchy. The region must be able to offer
capable, educated, talented and creative
people while providing good connections to
ecosystems.
Today at the conference, it was
mentioned that the Moravian-Silesian
region is undergoing a successful
transformation and diversification of its
industry. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes, the region is no longer just about
the automotive or heavy industry but also
about ICT, electrical engineering, and more.
The region is well-prepared to attract new
investments, which includes preparing sites
for new projects, such as the industrial park
in Dolní Lutyně. Investors need prepared
sites quickly; they cannot wait years for their
preparation.
What do you see as weaknesses in
the attractiveness of our investment
environment? How do you intend to
address them?
One of the main issues is the long
permitting processes and the readiness
of the sites. The entire Czech Republic has
room for improvement in this regard, but
the situation is improving thanks to institutions
like MSID. Another issue is the rigidity
of the labor market. We need a more flexible
labor market and changes in educational
fields to match new technologies and
the expected future demands of the business
sector.
What would you wish for the Moravian-
Silesian region in terms of future
industrial and economic development?
I wish for the region to continue its upward
trajectory, whether it is the transformation
and modernisation of industry or cultural
and social infrastructure. It is a region worth
living in, as evidenced by examples like Dolní
Vítkovice. I wish for strategic investments,
such as those in the field of chips and
electromobility, to find their place here and
for the ecosystem of Czech companies and
their creative innovations to build upon them.
Mr Očko, thank you for the interview.
regardless of the size
“
Moravian-Silesian region has
great development potenal.
”
Text: redakce
Foto: Michal Berger
Petr Očko
Náměstek ministra průmyslu
a obchodu
Deputy Minister of Industry and
Trade