News

Spotlight issue

1st April 2021 / Competitiveness / Education


Protecting Europe’s workers: The urgent need for skills

In recent years, new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics have helped companies increase efficiency and productivity and become more competitive on the global stage. But with these technological advances come challenges for governments and employers: in the short term, technology can fundamentally change the way people work, and in the long term it can displace some jobs altogether. With the additional upheaval of jobs markets as a result of the pandemic, it’s imperative that skills programs are targeted at those most at risk of displacement. 

1st April 2021 / Competitiveness / Tax & Finance


VAT exemption when testing for COVID-19

Following the mandatory testing of employees at COVID-19 and the resulting ambiguity in the treatment of VAT, the financial administration decided to clarify the conditions for the exemption of these services from VAT. The Directorate-General for Finance states in official information that COVID-19 testing services, whether mandatory or self-paying, are exempt from VAT without the right to deduct. These services include not only antigen or PCR testing for the presence of the virus, but also testing for the presence of antibodies. This approach will be officially applied with effect from 1 April 2021. 

30th March 2021 / Competitiveness / Social Responsibility


AmCham Sustainability Council: Opportunities and challenges for sustainability projects? Green projects are here to stay and there should be more of them

Last week, AmCham Sustainability Council held another session within a series of case study presentations focused on successful green projects.

30th March 2021 / Amcham advocacy news / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Resources for Czech Recovery Plan

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) has been finalizing the Czech National Recovery Plan (NPO)  in cooperation with other ministries and the Government. The Recovery Plan represents a generational opportunity to use public funds not only to modernize infrastructure, but perhaps the last great opportunity to use EU money to accelerate the Czech economy into the top rank of global innovative economies. 

"European money should help us start and modernize the economy after the coronavirus pandemic, but not only that. According to the latest information, we could receive about CZK 172 billion," says Deputy PM and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček. "The support is not only in the context of Covid-19, the Plan also addresses other topics such as digitization, sustainable transport, the green economy, health care, education, construction of day-care centers or homes for the elderly."

30th March 2021 / Competitiveness / Health Care


Finding the future of care provision: The role of smart hospitals

Smart hospitals make extensive use of innovative technologies to improve care quality and patient experience while reducing costs.

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