US Ambassador to Czech Republic expects new trade forum to improve Czech exports to U.S.

Prague, March 6 (CTK) – The Czech-American trade forum, to take place next week at the Prague Castle next Thursday, is to be the first of a series of annual events and should improve Czech exports to the United States, U.S. ambassador Stephen King told journalists today

“I am particularly personally very excited about the prospect of sponsoring what I will call the first annual American-Czech business conference,” King said.

The trade forum should be attended by up to 300 people and should not be affected by the novel coronavirus spread, King said.

King said he sees the strengthening of Czech-American trade as his personal priority in his role as ambassador, adding that trade is one of the foundations of quality international relations.

“We’re in touch and working very closely with the Czech government, minister Vojtech and others about matters that they’re taking responsibility for, with regards to any gatherings of this sort. We’re working very closely of course with the United States government and its agencies. We’re doing all the things that are necessary to minimize any potential for the health concern around the conference,” King added.

The conference will be attended by Czech President Milos Zeman, PM Andrej Babis (ANO) and Chamber of Commerce President Vladimir Dlouhy.

Originally, United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross was expected to join the meeting, but King explained that Ross had to decline because of an important Congress meeting.

King noted that among the representatives of the U.S. companies attending the forum, many have no presence in the Czech Republic yet.

King said he expects, for example, the representatives of the Westinghouse company to present an opportunity to take part in the public tenders for the completion of the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants, although he does not think such negotiations would take place at the forum itself.

The trade forum will be a part of the Czech-American business week taking place between March 10 – 13, to include seminars on entrepreneurship in the U.S. as well as presentations of individual states of the U.S.

On Wednesday, King will hold a reception for businessmen to which he invited Babis as well as Industry and Trade and Transport Minister Karel Havlicek (for ANO).

The United States are the 11th largest export market for the Czech Republic, with Czech exports to the U.S. reaching more than 106 billion crowns in 2019.

The most sought-after Czech exports include engines, pumps and microscopes.

According to the Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Czech automotive and glass industries have the largest growth potential in regard to exports to the U.S.