News

Spotlight issue

27th May 2021 / Competitiveness / Technology, R&D and Innovation


New pan-industry Eco Rating scheme launched for mobile phones

Eco Rating to roll out across Europe from June 2021, including phones from 12 vendors.

  • Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, Telia Company and Vodafone unveil new consumer labelling to identify more sustainable mobile phones
  • Eco Rating to roll out across Europe from June 2021, including phones from 12 vendors

 

27th May 2021 / Economic policy / Employment and Social Affairs


Who saved the employees in the first wave of the pandemic?

An analysis by CERGE-EI of support within the Antivirus B wage compensation program.

27th May 2021 / Competitiveness / Social Responsibility


Global Private Equity Responsible Investment Survey 2021: From compliance to value creation

Multiple crises over the past 18 months have delivered a stark wake-up call to the world. If we’re going to prevent further pandemics, reduce the risks of climate change, build a more equitable society and still generate growth, it’s clear that we’ll have to create more sustainable economies and systems.

27th May 2021 / Competitiveness / Employment and Social Affairs


Making the most of the great reset.

After a long pandemic pause, some parts of the world are finally contemplating a restart. Where the virus is subsiding, people can begin assembling an approach to life and business that combines what they miss about the time before COVID-19 and what they discovered during the pandemic. That future must include a plan for those, such as the unemployed, who are still stuck on pause.

This week, McKinsey took a deep dive into employment and workplace issues, with multiple studies, articles, and podcasts.

McKinsey survey of 100 executives found that 90 percent envision a future with some combination of remote and on-site work, but most (68 percent) have no detailed plan for how it will work (exhibit). The surveyed executives, from a wide range of industries, have good reason to desire a future with remote options: large numbers say it has led to increases in productivity and customer satisfaction.

 

27th May 2021 / Good governance / Legal Reform and Transparency


Amendment to VAT Act 2021: Goods from e-shops becoming more expensive?

From 1 July 2021, VAT will be collected on all import consignments regardless of their value. Thus, when purchasing goods from foreign e-shops, it will be necessary to consider, among other things, whether the product price includes or excludes VAT. Crucial is who will pay the VAT on imports – the seller or the buyer – and whether any simplification procedure will be applied to collect VAT.

Strategic Directions for Czech Economic Policy

  1. Transition to High-Tech Manufacturing and Exports
  2. The City Campus as Idea Factory
  3. Government Programs and Processes That Drive Innovation
  4. Government as a Competitive Advantage, including Digitization

Advocacy Priorities for 2023 
 
Technology, People, Infrastructure

 

Actions Recommended in Areas:

1. Establishing Policy Objectives for Research.

2. Research Investment and Cooperation. Big Bets (Key Technology Projects).

3. Establishing Databases for Tracking Public Policy Outcomes.

4. Public Procurement as an Innovation Tool.

5. Immigration of STEM Talents.

6. Digitization of Immigration. 

7. Adult Reskilling and Upskilling.

8. Digitization of Land Use.

9. Infrastructure Development, including Technology Parks.

 

 

Read the documents in English and Czech.

Policy pipeline

In Policy Pipeline policy developments in the Czech Republic and abroad are monitored to bring better understanding of current topics and trends.

Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic