Europe

Czech Republic
Last reviewed: 31 March 2009

Country information

See entire profile

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Trade and Investment with the UK

In 2008 UK exports to the Czech Republic were £1.5 billion, making the Czech Republic Britain’s 31st largest export market. Czech exports to the UK were £3.5 billion in 2008. The exports are dominated by Skoda cars and manufactured goods. Two way trade is therefore worth some £5 billion. This is impressive, given the relatively small size of the market (10.2m people).

The UK is responsible for approximately 3% of Foreign Direct Investment in the Czech Republic. Principal UK investors include International Power, LogicaCMG, Vodafone, Tesco and Shell. Several British household names can now be seen on the streets of Prague and other cities including Tesco, Next, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Halfords and Debenhams. Further information about the Czech Republic's economy can be found at UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Czech Republic.

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Council seeks to advance UK-Czech cultural relations and offers a wide range of activities including English teaching, examinations, as well as a programme of events focusing on themes such as intercultural dialogue, knowledge and creative societies and climate change. The British Council is located in the centre of Prague, near Wenceslas Square. It also works very closely in the regions through 10 partner libraries which house a wide selection of contemporary literature, register candidates for examinations, and provide information on the UK. More information available at British Council Czech Republic

Recent Visits

Inward

Cyril Svoboda, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, March 2006
Vaclav Klaus, President, May 2006
Mirek Topolanek, Prime Minister, June 2007
Karel Schwarzenberg, Foreign Minister, July 2007
Alexander Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister and Europe Minister, October 2007
Vaclav Klaus, President, November 2007
Martin Bursik, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for the Environment, January 2008
Alexander Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister and Europe Minister, May 2008
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, June 2008
Vlasta Parkanova, Minister for Defence, June 2008
Martin Bursik, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Environment, November 2008.

Outward

Sir Michael Walker, Chief of the General Staff, March 2006
Tony Blair, Prime Minister, March 2006
Geoff Hoon, Minister for Europe, May 2006
Baroness Hayman, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, September 2006
Geoff Hoon, Minister for Europe, March 2007
John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, April 2007
Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser, April 2007
HRH Princess Royal, October 2007
Baroness Cox, House of Lords, April 2008
JimMurphy, Minister for Europe, May 2008
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, July 2008
Lord Mayor of London, September 2008
Lord Grenfell, Chair of Lords EU Committee, October 2008
Baroness Delyth Morgan, PUSS, DIUS, October 2008
Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe, October 2008
Baroness Taylor, Minister for International Defence and Security, November 2008
Mark Lyall Grant, Political Director, FCO, November 2008
Tim Abraham, Director EU Energy, DECC, December 2008
Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe, FCO, January 2009
Meg Hilier, Minister, Home Office, January 2009
The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, January 2009
Pat McFadden, Minister for Employment Relations & Postal Affairs, January 2009
Gareth Thomas, Minister of State for Development, January, 2009
Rt Hon John Hutton, secretary of State for Defence, March 2009
Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Foreign Secretary, March 2009