The success of the Czech armament companies in the Republic of Congo
27.04.2018 / 13:25 | Aktualizováno: 27.04.2018 / 18:21
On March 21 - 23, 2018, a project to support economic diplomacy (PROPED) The Czech Defense Industry Day was held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The project was organized with the support and participation of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic. The Czech Defense and Security Sector was represented by the companies LOM Praha, s.p., Česká zbrojovka, a.s., Czechoslovak Group, a.s., Retia, a.s., SVOS, s.r.o., Sellier-Bellot, a.s.
The project program included the reception of a delegation by Mr. Raymond Zéphirin Mboula, Minister of the Interior, Mr. Richard Mondo, Minister of Defense and Gen. Guye Blanchard Okoï , Chief of Staff of the Congolese Republic, and the business seminar, where the Czech companies presented their products.
Representative of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic Mr. Tomáš Kopečný presented the possibilities of the Czech defense and security industry during the aforementioned negotiations and specifically acquainted with the products of the present Czech companies. He stated that, given the interest of the Czech Republic in security in Sub-Saharan Africa and the traditional bilateral co-operation in the past, the Czech Republic supports the re-establishment of cooperation in the field of defense, where it is a big space to follow-up. When it comes to the provided products, cooperation could be realized on the following basic pillars: provision of equipment; technology transfer and training; after - sale service.
During the business seminar and the aforementioned negotiations it was confirmed that the historical links between the Republic of Congo and the former Czechoslovakia had a very good basis and Czech (Czechoslovak) products still have a good sound in the country. Thanks to the study opportunities of Congolese students at the universities in Prague and Brno in the 70s and 90s, it is possible with a number of them, who now hold important positions in the Congolese government, to speak Czech.
Among military professionals who participated in the seminar, and in particular with the Chief of Staff of the Congolese Army itself, there was obvious there is an excellent knowledge and interest in the products of Czech companies, mainly Česká zbrojovka, LOM Praha and Czechoslovac Group.
The mission met with a very positive response both on the Congo and on the Czech side. An article about the project was published in the government newspaper Les Dépèches de Brazzaville of 26 March 2018, page 10.
Author: Mgr. Beata Matusik, MBA, Economic Diplomat, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nigeria
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