The seminar  was opened by Deputy Minister Martin Tlapa, who in his speech stressed the importance of the Canadian market and the vast possibilities that are offered to Czech firms in terms of trade and investment cooperation. He stressed that the Canadian market is open and stable;, while the proximity of the US market further enhances the attractiveness of Canada. For a number of firms operating in Canada it also becomes a gateway to North America as a whole.

Josef Dvoracek, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canada, presented in the first part of the session. He introduced the audience to basic information about Canada and how the Czech Embassy can help entrepreneurs to reach the local market. Alexandra Brabcová, Executive Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic presented the chamber and its main activities, including the fact that  its main role is to support business and investment contacts between Czech and Canadian entities.

In the second part of the seminar, Jaroslav Jelinek, Director of CzechTrade agency in Calgary described the specific opportunities offered by the Canadian market and outlined the types of partnership that Czech firms can establish with the agency and its Canadian office. Shortly after, Marek Hencl from Aartkom and Juan Rada a consultant with LAT Group, representatives from the private sector spoke of their experiences with the Canadian market from their companies point of view.

 Speakers generally agreed that the Canadian environment from a business perspective is very business friendly, which also applies to residents of Canada.

At the end of the seminar, Miloslav Stašek, Director of Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered to the participating companies the assistance of the Services Client Center for export, which operates the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Czechtrade at its headquarters. Their specialists are available to work in collaboration with colleagues who already operate under the uniform foreign network offer the businesses a wide range of assistance services.

http://www.mzv.cz/ekonomika/cz/udalosti/seminar_exportni_prilezitosti_v_kanade.html

Josef Dvoracek
Counsellor

Head of Trade and Economic Section
Embassy of the Czech Republic to Canada