BUSINESS

the euro in the Czech Republic would make me happy.

As a consumer and citizen of the Czech Republic

I would like the rate of a Czech crown to the euro be as

positive as possible, let me say 1:20, to make products in

other countries of the EU cheaper for us, and to reduce

the economic advantage between our country and the

EU leaders. I am sitting on a fence.

How do you feel about the business environment in

our region, and what would you like to change?

It is generally quite good, not interfering with enterprise

too much. I do not prefer granted and highly organized

businesses when the managers do not care as much about

their business as about grant applications and garnering

support of some kind or other. If entrepreneurs work

with the idea that their success is exclusively their own

responsibility, they have a good plan and know who their

customers are, then it does not matter if they work in the

district of Ostrava, or elsewhere. The role of the government

of the region is to develop and enhance the infrastructure,

connectivity by all means of transport (unlike the unfortunate

recent closing of the Prague – Ostrava air connection), and

the improvement of education and vocational training. The

problem which most businesspeople in the Czech Republic

face is the lengthy construction planning and permits,

a disastrous motorway network, and slow justice. I want

to mention inefficient and expensive public administration

which is closely related to high taxation and charges paid

by freelancers as well as companies.

You are very busy in innovation and exports. How

important is the introduction of the euro to the Czech

Republic?

I feel a bit schizophrenic about the Euro. I know the

exchange rate is a great tool to tip the balance on the

level of macroeconomy. On the other hand, as a CEO in

international trade, a stable exchange rate is a guarantee

of a positive business development and safe pricing; so

You are a professional in marketing, a member of

the Czech Marketing Society (Česká marketingová

společnost), and you also operate in tourism. How

do you like the marketing of the region?

Every time I am in Prague, I wonder how to get the

great crowds of tourists to the Moravian-Silesian Region,

to Štramberk in particular. The truth is that tourists see

Prague as the most attractive centre, and maybe some

would go out to see Karlštejn and Český Krumlov. It

is a challenge that requires the close cooperation of

state organizations and the motivation of Czech travel

agencies focused on incoming: they just need to list many

more destinations in their catalogues, the picturesque

Štramberk including. The Government of the Moravian

Silesian Region should be a moderator of the strategy.

However, besides our traditional majority of guests

from the Czech Republic, I also see a boom in individual

tourism which is bringing a number of tourists from all over

Europe to our hotel. The Moravian-Silesian Region and its

governor Mr Vondrák are seen and heard very well; it is

very beneficial as it supports the attractivities of Ostrava

and places of interest nearby, including Štramberk. Their

efforts go hand in hand with the regional club of Czech

Marketing Society (Česká marketingová společnost) in

Ostrava, of which I am the chairman. Its role is to facilitate

a communication platform for managers, marketers and

entrepreneurs of our region.

Are your companies socially responsible?

As their owner I keep an eye on how the companies behave in

regards to their environment. We are an active, cooperating

partner to all councils in municipalities where the plants

are situated; and to local interest and sports organizations.

ISMM is the general partner of the extra league handball

club KH ISMM Kopřivnice, and the general partner of the

football club TJ ISMM Jistebník. Generally, our programme

covers a wide range of sports, cultural, and leisure events.

I see social responsibility as the relation of the company

owner to employees, based on trust, fairness, and various

motivational programmes. This is what contributes to the

very low turnover within ISMM group, as many employees

share the visions of the company owner.

Which destination in the region would you recommend

our readers to see?

The Moravian-Silesian Region itself is an attractive

destination. The Lower Area of Vítkovice (Dolní oblast

Vítkovice), the Landek Mining Museum, our castles

Štramberk and Hukvaldy. The centre of Ostrava feels very

harmonic and is in fact quite an attraction. Compared

to its past look, modern Ostrava is a green city with

kilometres of bikeways and hiking trails. I love my region.

Thank you for the interview.

- editorial -

Text:

redakce

Foto:

archiv ISMM

Production

& Business

Cooperation

s.r.o.

www.ismm.cz

POSITIV 3/2019 ǀ 15