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Spotlight issue

21st March 2022 / Economic policy / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Consuming stagflationary shock

The war in Ukraine has affected the global economic outlook. The fears of potential disruption to Russian energy imports have pushed commodity prices up, which is likely to further exacerbate the already severe inflationary pressures. A shortage of Russian energy would also lower GDP growth, especially in highly dependent Europe. Moreover, the war is likely to hinder the expected easing of supply-chain issues. Given this, we have decided to revise our forecasts for Czech key macro and financial variables ahead of the regular quarterly update. We have increased our inflation forecast from 8.8% to 11.5% for this year. In addition, we have lowered our estimate for GDP growth from 4.9% to 3.1%. In our view, the CNB is likely to continue raising interest rates. Previously, we had expected rates to reach a peak of 5%, but now we see them peaking at 5.5%. Bringing interest rates back to policy-neutral level is likely to be postponed until next year.

21st March 2022 / Good governance / Legal Reform and Transparency


Czech Legal Alert | "Lex Ukraine" - Laws governing the status of refugees from Ukraine

As of March 21, 2022, there is an effective set of laws regulating the status of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic and their involvement in society, the so-called "Lex Ukraine".
Lex Ukraine primarily allows refugees to obtain so-called temporary protection and start working in the Czech Republic without further formalities.

21st March 2022 / Good governance / Legal Reform and Transparency


HR Legal Alert - „Lex Ukraine“

  • Authorization to stay in the Czech Republic for the purpose of temporary protection and health insurance
  • Free access to labour market
  • Humanitarian benefit and allowan-ce for solidarity households
  • Children's groups

18th March 2022 / Good governance / Social Responsibility


Ukraine: Erste family provides extensive humanitarian aid

  • Erste Group makes donations of one million euros each to Caritas and the Red Cross
  • ERSTE Foundation provides an additional one million euros through its partner networks
  • Banking platform George introduces simple approach for making Ukraine donations

18th March 2022 / Competitiveness / Employment and Social Affairs


Progress to achieve greater gender equality at work was set back by at least two years due to the pandemic: PwC Women in Work Index

Action is needed to help position women to gain from job opportunities created by the transition of economies and businesses to net zero.

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