2007 (Issue 1 of 2) - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the ...

GoCanada 1 

Chamber Newsletter 

September 2006 – 

– January 2007 2007 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic 

Chambre de Commerce canadienne en République tchèque 

Kanadská obchodní komora v České republice 

2 MEMBERS’ MESSAGES 

11 - 14 MEMBERS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

17 - 20 MEMBERS’ EXPERTISE

2 

MESSAGE FROM STEPHEN LUKAS: FROM SAND TO RICHES! 

spent recently a week’s 

I holiday in Dubai and would 

like to share with you (those 

who have not seen this amazing 

place) my unique experience, 

which proved and convinced me 

that a free economy, combined 

with a low or no tax system, with 

NO POLITICS and being only 

MANAGED, can build wealth 

for a nation – something we all 

dream about! 

It all started in 1959 when Sheikh Rashid 

bin Saeed al Maktoum had the vision 

to change a sleepy sun scorched village in 

sand, occupied by fishermen, pearl divers 

and traders who docked their boats along 

a narrow creek, into a port which would 

become a highway to the world. 

He borrowed a few million dollars from 

the oil rich neighbour Kuwait, to dredge 

the creek until it was wide and deep enough 

for large ships. He built warehouses, housing 

and schools, super eight lane highways and 

provided immigrant workers from India, 

Pakistan and South East Asian countries an 

opportunity to participate in his dream. 

The low tax or no tax system, including a 

free industrial zone, caught the interest 

of the West, and soon enough multinational 

companies started to move in. Plentiful of 

capital from all over the world started to flow 

in, in support of mega real estate projects. 

Eighteen months ago I sat my 

friends and family down to 

tell them my great news. I had 

just accepted a position with an 

international real estate firm as 

the new Director of Leasing. The 

other small detail was that it was in 

Prague, Czech Republic and that 

I was leaving in two weeks. After 

the initial shock, most felt I would 

be just fine. After all Prague was a 

world-renowned international city 

and, I was told, the land where 

beer flowed like water from a tap. 

arrived in the fall of 2005 not knowing a 

I single person in Prague. The first people I 

met were from my office and they immediately 

saw me for what I was, lost. I was very 

touched at how people helped any way they 

could. Were it not for them, not only would 

I have not been able to do business here, I 

never could have rented my first apartment, 

bought fruits and vegetables or picked up 

my mail. I would not have lasted more than 

three weeks. Along with having big hearts, 

the next thing that struck me about Czechs 

was their thirst for knowledge. Not only is 

there great importance put on education, 

but a strong desire to look beyond the 

borders of this country to find new or better 

At the close of his life, when Sheikh Rashid 

handed over the leadership of Dubai to 

his son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid 

Maktoum, his dream was accomplished. 

The buildup continued, and the son 

followed the vision of the father, 

transforming Dubai into a floodlit, air 

conditioned sky scrape fantasy world of a 

million people, of which only 18% are local 

Dubaians. With its Manhattan style, but 

architecturally designed buildings, a world 

class port and colossal duty free shopping 

malls, the small Dubai now attracts more 

tourists than the whole of India, more 

shipping vessels than Singapore and 

more foreign capital than many European 

countries. 

The people of 150 nations have moved 

there to live and work. Dubai has even 

built man–made islands – some in the shape 

of palm trees. Its economic growth rate of 

16% is nearly the double of that of China. 

Construction cranes punctuate the skyline 

like exclamation marks! 

Dubai is a rare success story in the 

Middle East. People from other 

countries are beginning to ask their 

governments: ”If Dubai can do it – why 

can’t we?!“ Multiculturalism is another 

working example: you can eat in an Italian 

restaurant, owned by an Egyptian, with an 

lndian chef and Filipino waiters. 

ways to succeed in business. Time and again 

clients and colleagues seemed more eager 

to hear my stories of business in Canada than 

to tell their own from the Czech Republic. 

Shortly after arriving I joined the 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

Colliers International had been a member 

for several years, being a Canadian company, 

yet I learned that no one at the company 

actively participated in any of the events. 

I decided to champion this cause. Being both 

Canadian and active in business, it made sense 

and the truth is I had a great deal of free time, 

with friends and family many miles away. 

The breakfast meetings and evening mixers 

became regular events on my calendar and 

it was here that I heard, first hand, the stories 

of true Czech entrepreneurs and business 

people who, before the revolution, made 

enormous sacrifices and took considerable 

risk in an effort for free enterprise. Hearing 

this made me realize how fortunate I had 

been to grow up in Canada. Never again will 

I take for granted the rights that so many 

people in the Czech Republic have fought for. 

This also shed very important insight into the 

drive and determination of the people who 

lived here. Our Canadian Chamber proved 

not only a forum for business and exchange 

of ideas, but also a place for people from 

GoCanada 1/2007 September 2006 – January 2007 

The luxury in some of the hotels is 

unheard of. Six and Seven star hotels, 

like the Burj al Arab hotel with a helipad on 

the rooftop, where Andre Agassi and Roger 

Federer play exhibition tennis matches. 

There are many success stories like 

Mohammed Alabbar, who grew up 

like many Dubaians, in a tent made of palm 

fronds. His father supported a wife and 12 

children with fishing. Then in 1966 Dubai 

struck oil, and Alabbar went to the United 

States on a government scholarship paid 

for by oil revenues. 

After graduation he went to Singapore 

and within 6 years he turned around 

stagnating retail enterprises. Upon returning 

to Dubai he worked himself up to become 

Director of Economic Development. He 

resigned after 3 years, bought a piece of 

land, and started to build. Today he is head 

of Emaar, the richest real estate development 

company, flying around the world and 

making deals in construction! 

Dubai, with no corporate or income taxes, 

a top notch banking system, and a code 

of law that favours property and ownership, 

embodies Sheikh Rashid’s motto: “What’s 

good for the Merchant, is good for Dubai“. 

COULD THIS HAPPEN IN OUR 

COUNTRY? 

Stephen Lukas 

MESSAGE FROM ADAM SHERRIFF-SCOTT: A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO MY CZECH EXPERIENCE 

all walks of life, from all over the world, to 

meet and share their own Czech experience. 

In the fall of 2006, I was elected to the 

Administrative Board at the Chamber and it 

was a pleasure to serve such a role with both 

Czech and Canadian executives. I consider 

myself fortunate to have met and worked 

with so many of these great people over the 

past year, and am confident that many will 

remain friends for life. 

Both business and pleasure allowed me 

to travel extensively throughout many 

areas of this country and I saw first hand 

that the Czech Republic is much more than 

just the birthplace of beer. While my grasp 

of language has improved little from my first 

days, my understanding of the people has 

grown into a deep respect. The one thing that 

I will take from my time here in this country 

is that Czechs are strong, proud people who 

believe in themselves and in moving the 

Czech Republic forward both in business 

and as a country for many years to come. 

would like to wish all the members of the 

I chamber a successful and prosperous 2007. 

Adam Sherriff-Scott

MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

ear members, 

DWe are presenting to you 

a new issue of the GoCanada 

magazine – the first one of the 

three that will be published in 

the course of this year. When 

compiling it, we have looked back 

at the Chamber’s history in the 

past months, as well as ahead to 

the future. We certainly intend to 

continue and advance the tradition 

of offering you a variety of highquality 

events. In the months to 

come, we want to bring you new opportunities 

to hear, and meet with, VIP speakers; to 

expand your expertise through focused 

seminars; to engage in productive networking 

in an informal friendly atmosphere; and also 

to enjoy two special events. Tennis players 

and fans are cordially invited to join us for 

the Chamber’s traditional amateur doubles 

tournament at Štvanice on May 19. And in 

June, the Chamber will celebrate its 10th 

anniversary, and we now have the pleasant 

task of finding the best venue and the best 

format for the birthday party. 

he past few months have also seen 

Tcontinued growth of the Chamber’s 

ranks. Our 2007 Membership Directory 

lists 188 corporate and individual members 

and more have joined in the two months 

since it was printed. The Chamber is also 

proud to congratulate several members who 

have recently received prominent awards in 

recognition of their outstanding performance. 

here have also been some personnel 

Tchanges. Last autumn the Chamber 

was delighted to welcome Canada’s new 

Ambassador to the Czech Republic, 

His Excellency Michael Calcott, as the 

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Chamber’s new Honorary Chairman. Like his 

predecessors, Ambassador Calcott has become 

a dedicated supporter of the Chamber and a 

true friend to many of us. Sadly, the Canadian 

Embassy has also suffered a severe loss 

through the passing of Trade Commissioner 

Ilona Boldová in January. 

he Annual General Meeting last October 

Twitnessed the election of a new Board of 

Directors and Administrative Board. Some 

of the long-standing pillars of the Chamber 

have (thank God!) stayed in place. Peter P. 

Formánek, who received the support of all 

members who cast their votes, has agreed to 

continue to give our organization his time, 

dedication and expertise and Board members 

have reappointed him as President. In this 

role, he can draw on the support of the other 

Board members representing Canadian, 

Czech as well as international companies 

and institutions. One of the Board members 

elected at the Annual General Meeting 

has recently left us: Adam Sherriff-Scott 

moved on to a new professional challenge 

in Moscow. We thank him for the support 

that he gave the Chamber and extend to him 

our best wishes for his work in the Russian 

real estate market. Michal Lichter, General 

Manager of Bombardier Transportation 

Czech Republic, who has been next in line 

for a Board seat based on the voting results, 

has been co-opted to take the vacated place. 

His long-standing experience at the head 

of one of the most important Canadian 

companies in this country will undoubtedly 

be an asset to the Board’s operation. 

e have also expanded, or newly 

Westablished, contacts with several 

organizations or individuals in Canada who 

have been active in promoting links between 

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the two countries and organizing events 

that you may be interested in attending. In 

addition to the Trade Sections of both the 

Canadian Embassy in Prague and the Czech 

Embassy in Ottawa, we have agreed on an 

ongoing exchange of information e.g. with 

the Czech Business Association of Canada 

or the Czech Republic’s Honorary Consuls 

in three Canadian cities. Both this magazine 

and the Chamber’s website will bring you 

more news from all these sources. 

he magazine also includes several articles 

Twritten by our members. In one of the 

previous issues, I encouraged members to 

share the wealth of their expertise with the 

readers of GoCanada. I have been truly 

gratified by the response, and I wholeheartedly 

thank all the authors for their contributions. 

By the same token, my thanks go also to those 

who often remain anonymous – those great 

collaborators who have helped us with the 

editing and proofreading of the submitted 

texts. One – Grace DeLorenzo-Výborná 

– who worked on several earlier issues has 

now taken a break, enjoying her time with her 

family in the United States. Dagmar Jangl- 

Janoušek, though being a working mother of 

a young son, has again found the time to edit 

several articles, as she has done for a couple of 

years already. And three new native speakers 

have been willing to apply their language 

skills for the benefit of GoCanada – Shirley 

Kowalenko, Gerry Tipple and Troy Witt. 

Thank you all! 

ith all that combined support, the 

WChamber has entered the year 2007 

reinforced and growing from strength to 

strength. May the same be true for all of 

you throughout the year! 

Alexandra Brabcová 

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4 

EVENTS 

Business Breakfast with Tomáš Hruda, 

Chief Executive Officer, CzechInvest 

The CEO of CzechInvest, Tomáš 

Hruda, was the keynote speaker at the 

Chamber’s business breakfast held in 

the fine conference room of Hotel Palace 

Praha on September 14, 2006. 

The Czech Republic’s needs for foreign 

investment have changed in the last few 

years, he said. The advancement and the 

increasing competitiveness of the Czech 

economy, accompanied by a growing 

standard of living of the population, 

have brought about a new situation. The 

Czech Republic is no longer a low cost 

country; its efforts to attract investors 

must adjust to the new circumstances and 

focus on projects conducive to enhancing 

the favourable economic trends. Sound 

labour law, a high level of education and 

well-founded strategies are a prerequisite 

for further progress. The opportunity 

to draw on the structural funds of the 

European Union adds to the Czech 

economy’s potential for further growth. 

Mr. Hruda encouraged companies 

to visit CzechInvest’s website – www. 

czechinvest.org – and to consult the 

agency’s regional representatives to see 

if they may be eligible for aid under the 

programmes managed by CzechInvest. 

The question and answer session 

following Mr. Hruda’s opening 

Panel Discussion: Ethics in Business 

On September 27, 2006 the Chamber 

held a special joint event with the Expats 

Business Association (EBA). It was a 

panel discussion on the subject of ethics 

in business and took place in the beautiful 

rooms of Villa Gröbovka, headquarters of 

CEELI Institute. Three prominent leaders 

of the Prague business community, an 

American, an Australian and a Czech 

– Jack Stack, Board Chairman & CEO of 

Česká spořitelna; Grahame Maher, CEO 

of Vodafone Czech Republic; and, Jiří 

Krejča, Managing Director of Travelex 

Czech Republic – appeared as panelists. 

Peter Formánek, President and CEO 

of our Chamber, with Mark Anderson, 

EBA’s President and CEO, welcomed 

the participants; Michael Diedring, 

Executive Director of CEELI, guided the 

discussion as a skilful and knowledgeable 

moderator. The event attracted members 

and friends of both organizations from the 

business sector, educational institutions, 

diplomatic missions as well as NGOs, 

such as Transparency International. 

A number of valid issues were raised 

during the two-hour debate. How 

commitment to ethical values in 

business can grow out of personal moral 

beliefs nurtured in families, schools or 

circles of friends. How adherence to 

remarks highlighted numerous issues 

that have an impact on the Czech 

Republic’s business environment, such 

as the persistent problems regarding 

registration of companies or granting of 

residence permits to foreign managers; 

inadequacies in the performance of, and 

cooperation among, certain government 

departments; the high cost of labour or 

lack of cooperation between educational 

institutions and the business sector. 

In his responses, Mr. Hruda was very 

candid when commenting both on the 

accomplishments and on the problems. 

As for the structure of Czech economy, 

he does not share the concern that our 

country may now be too dependent on 

automotive industry. The investments 

into new car factories clearly bring greater 

prosperity; moreover, the know-how used 

in automotive industry is applicable in 

other branches of industry as well. 

In addition to addressing particular 

economic issues, Mr. Hruda also looked 

at the economy in a more general context. 

To him, economic growth is not an end 

in itself – he sees it as one of the ways of 

improving the quality of human life. 

Photos by Hicham Boutaleb 

Courtesy of 

ethical standards can be embraced into 

corporate culture and instilled in the 

thinking of employees through training 

and by virtue of example set by company 

leaders. How should companies 

respond when confronted with unethical 

practices? Some of the questions had 

no easy answers. For instance: What 

if refusing a deal tainted by corruption 

may jeopardize a company’s survival, 

and thus the livelihood of its employees 

and their families? 

The debate aspired to contribute toward 

creating an environment where business 

success is sought, and attained, without 

resorting to unethical behaviour. True, 

the battle is far from being won, either in 

this country or worldwide, but a strong 

commitment to ethical standards on the part 

of people recognized as business leaders, 

as was unanimously expressed during the 

event, certainly represents a powerful weapon. 

Zátiší Catering Group served a special 

risotto menu and delicious French wines 

during the reception that concluded the 

evening. 

The event was supported by ORCO 

Group, a Corporate Patron of both 

hosting organizations. 

Photos by Aneta Hořínková 

GoCanada 1/2007 September 2006 – January 2007

EVENTS 

Thanksgiving Dinner 

On the eve of Canada’s Thanksgiving 

Day, the Chamber organized its annual 

Thanksgiving Dinner on October 8, 

2006. (Non-Canadians may note that 

this celebration, marking the end of 

harvest time in Canada, is not identical 

with American Thanksgiving). 

As always at this time of the year, 

numerous Canadians and friends of 

Canada got together for an informal 

family dinner. For the first time, we had 

the pleasure of welcoming Canada’s new 

Ambassador, His Excellency Michael 

Calcott, to a Chamber event. 

Chefs at Corinthia Towers Hotel did their 

utmost to make the meal – the traditional 

roast turkey with stuffing and cranberries 

followed by pumpkin pie – as Canadian 

as possible. The hotel’s renowned Let’s 

Eat restaurant, specially decorated for 

the event, provided excellent service and 

ample space for all those who wished to 

join us. Its children’s corner was well 

equipped to entertain our youngest 

guests of different age groups. VinsPlus 

presented the fine French wines. 

Special thanks are due to Riverside 

Europe Partners and MSA. Their 

generous contributions enabled us to 

offer a truly first-class event. 

Photos by Adam Veselý 

Legal Seminar: New Czech Labour Code 

On October 12, 2006, SALANS law firm, 

one of the Chamber’s new members, 

hosted a seminar on the new Labour 

Code of the Czech Republic that had 

been passed earlier last year, to take 

effect as of January 1, 2007. Radovan 

Bernard and Kristýna Oberfalcerová 

of SALANS prepared a comprehensive 

presentation on the changes introduced 

by the new legislation in the employeremployee 

relationship. The principal 

items are summarized in Kristýna 

Business Breakfast with The Hon. Edvard 

Outrata, Deputy Speaker of the Senate 

To mark the close of his tenure as a member 

of the upper Chamber of the Czech 

Republic’s law-making body and for the 

last two years as the Senate’s Deputy 

Speaker, Senator Edvard Outrata, one 

of the most prominent personages of the 

Czech-Canadian community, accepted 

the Chamber’s invitation to be our guest 

of honour at the business breakfast held 

on October 17, 2006. 

He shared with the participants his 

observations of the political and economic 

developments of the Czech Republic 

since the early 1990s, expressing his 

opinion that the economic transformation 

was carried out reasonably well. At the 

same time, however, he pointed out 

the persistent problems in the internal 

working of the government and the need 

for improvement in the functioning of 

Oberfalcerová’s article on page 19. A 

great deal of attention was given to 

the amendments affecting the status of 

employees in managerial positions and to 

the difficulties that may arise as a result of 

the fact that the new Labour Code does 

not distinguish between managers and 

other employees as regards the nature of 

their employment contracts. 

In addition to expertise, SALANS has 

also provided wonderful hospitality in 

their Prague 1 offices. 

Photo by John-David Bridges 

the judiciary and the police. 

One issue to which Senator Outrata 

attaches major importance is the condition 

of the Czech Republic’s public service. 

He is disappointed by the lack of progress 

toward establishing a truly professional 

civil service and he would wish to see a 

clear distinction between the status of 

civil servants and that of political officers. 

The ensuing discussion brought a variety 

of comments on the relationship between 

civil servants and politicians in the Czech 

Republic as well as in Canada where 

fairly strict rules apply in this respect. 

Ambassador Calcott referred to the 

present Canadian Government’s emphasis 

on accountability and transparency in 

political and public life. 

Zátiší Catering Group lived up to their 

high standard of service in the charming 

Mlýnec Restaurant. 

Photos by John-David Bridges 

September 2006 – January 2007 GoCanada 1/2007 5

6 

EVENTS 

2006 Annual General Meeting 

On October 30, 2006 members of the 

Chamber got together for their Annual 

General Meeting at Hotel Palace Praha. 

The Chamber’s new Honorary Chairman, 

Canada’s Ambassador Michael Calcott, 

offered a word of welcome and praised 

the Chamber’s excellent reputation in 

the diplomatic corps of Prague. The 

Chamber’s President, Peter Formánek; 

the Executive Director, Alexandra 

Brabcová; and Jiří Krejča, as Vice- 

President supervising the Chamber’s 

finances, reported on the Chamber’s 

activities, its financial situation and plans 

for the future. 

The agenda also included a proposal 

to amend several paragraphs of the 

Chamber’s Statutes that reflected views 

expressed by members of the Chamber 

at the previous Annual General 

Meeting, as well as the needs of the 

growing organization. As a result of the 

approval of the proposed changes by the 

attending members, the term of office of 

the Chamber’s Board has been extended 

from one to two years and the categories 

of membership have been redefined so 

as to give members greater freedom in 

choosing their level of involvement in 

the Chamber. 

Pursuant to the revised Statutes, the 

participants subsequently elected the 

Chamber’s new Board of Directors and 

Administrative Board that will stay 

in office until 2008. The Chamber is 

proud to have the CEOs of prominent 

Canadian companies as well as other 

senior Canadian and Czech business 

people on its governing bodies (see page 

10 for the complete list). 

Business Breakfast with His Excellency 

Michael Calcott, Ambassador of Canada 

After spending two and a half months 

in the Czech Republic, Ambassador 

Calcott shared his first impressions with 

members and guests of the Chamber on 

November 28, 2006 at the Hilton hotel. 

He expressed gratitude to those who 

offered him advice and assistance at the 

beginning of his tenure in Prague – in 

particular to Edvard and Jana Outrata 

and to Peter and Suzanne Formánek, as 

well as to the staff of his Embassy. 

Speaking of Czech-Canadian relations, 

he stressed the importance of the input of 

the Czech Canadian community. Czech 

immigrants have enriched Canada both 

culturally and economically, he said, 

and Czech Canadians – both those who 

have stayed in Canada and those who 

have returned to the Czech Republic 

– continue to promote links between the 

two countries. 

A discussion on bilateral relations 

unavoidably included the pending visa 

issue. Ambassador Calcott assured those 

present that the matter was an active 

In keeping with the established 

tradition, the evening was crowned by a 

friendly dinner at the hotel’s L’Epoque 

Restaurant. The Hotel Palace Praha, 

under the supervision of its General 

Manager Martin Novák, offered high 

quality service and warm hospitality while 

Vinotéka u Vavrysů supplied great wines. 

file. Recent talks between Canadian 

Citizenship & Immigration officers and 

EU representatives sought to identify a 

way that would make it possible to grant 

visa exemption to Central and Eastern 

European EU member states. 

Enough room was left for other areas 

of bilateral relations, however, such as 

cooperation within the United Nations, 

academic links, or ways of overcoming 

the geographical distance and certain 

cultural differences between the Czech 

Republic and Canada. 

Jerry Jelinek, the Czech Republic’s 

Honorary Consul in Calgary, spoke 

of the lack of skilled workers in the 


Royal Crafts, a new member of the 

Chamber, enriched the evening with a 

donation of an assortment of cognacs and 

wine-based drinks imported from France. 


province of Alberta, and of the desire 

of Alberta employers to recruit qualified 

employees from abroad, including the 

Czech Republic (see page 16 for more 

information). 

The breakfast was graciously supported 

by the Trade Section of the Canadian 

Embassy and by Commerzbank Prague. 

Photos by John-David Bridges

EVENTS 

Christmas Entertainment 

& Christmas Charity 

On December 2, 2006, the Prague 

Marriott Hotel was the venue of the 

Chamber’s Christmas party. Several 

special guests accepted the President’s 

invitation to this traditional gathering. In 

addition to the Canadian Ambassador, 

H.E. Michael Calcott, the Chamber also 

welcomed H. E. Ambassador Richard 

Graber of the United States with Mrs. 

Alexandria Graber, H. E. Ambassador 

Hideaki Kumazawa of Japan and H. E. 

Ambassador Peter Raeder of Norway. 

Mr. Petr Jan Kalaš, then Minister of the 

Environment, also attended. 

The Marriott did a truly superb job 

during that evening. All those present 

unanimously praised the welcoming 

atmosphere, outstanding service and, 

most of all, the international buffet menu 

presenting the finest blend of European 

and Asian cuisines. Mr. Igor Maťašovský 

and TCF offered an assortment of 

delicious Chilean wines to go with the 

great food. There was dancing to the music 

performed by J.J. Jazzmen and singer 

Barbora Řeháčková and a demonstration 

of Japanese calligraphy by artist Etsuko 

Kojima. Some of the guests took home 

a piece of her art, created personally for 

them during the evening. 

Among the numerous pleasures, the 

participants did not forget to think 

of those who find themselves in less 

fortunate circumstances. The Chamber’s 

Christmas benefit auction raised a total 

of 76 650 Kč – an amount with which we 

are able to help several Czech charities: 

Rváček, in the north Bohemian town of 

Lomnice nad Popelkou, offers housing, 

a day-care centre, a school and special 

workshops for children and youth with 

combined handicaps (www.rvacek.cz). 

– Many guests of the party bought the 

beautiful hand-woven rugs and pottery 

made by its young clients. 

Servo, a charity associated with the 

Dominican Order, runs a youth centre 

in Barrandov, Prague 5, which offers 

children and young people a multifaceted 

programme of activities, thus keeping 

them off drugs and other undesirable 

forms of entertainment (www.servo.cz). 

The Barrandov facility was burgled 

Pub Nights 

In between the more formal events we 

also held the informal gatherings that 

work so well as business mixers. Venues 

of different character were chosen for 

each of these occasions. On November 

6, 2006 we were treated by Jean-Paul 

Manzac to delicious French meals and 

wines at Brasserie M. The pub night 

on December 14, 2006 was a repeat of 

recently and our Chamber’s donation 

will help to replace some of the lost 

equipment. 

Czech Blind United (www.sons.cz) receives 

a contribution for the operation of a 

navigation system assisting blind people. 

The Foundation for Mentally 

Handicapped Persons of Tloskov, 

central Bohemia, (www.tloskov.cz) will 

use our donation for the purchase of 

equipment needed for the application of 

rehabilitation techniques. 

Civic Association DAR of Prague 6 

(www.braillnet.cz/dar) provides care 

and rehabilitation to handicapped 

children for several hours a day in its 

day-care centre, offers babysitting on 

weekends and organizes week-long stays 

in the country. In addition to treating the 

children, the programme is also meant to 

give their families some time to rest and 

get new strength for the demanding task 

of taking care of a handicapped child. 

the successful spring get-together at the 

Slovak Restaurant at the Fireplace and 

Bob Demare, one of our Board members, 

hosted the first pub night of 2007 at the 

Techtle Mechtle Bar on January 15. More 

great nights out will follow. 

Photo by John-David Bridges 

The Chamber expresses its sincere 

gratitude to the sponsors of the event: 

Our special thanks go to Mr. Igor 

Maťašovský and for the generous 

donation of wine. 

By the same token, we are thankful to 

the donors of benefit auction items: 

Zátiší Catering Group, Jean-Paul and 

Marie Manzac, Royal Crafts, Vinotéka 

u Vavrysů, ASIANA, BioPol GN, Ltd. 

(Barny’s), Cadimex International, 

JOKA Klatovy, Etsuko Kojima, Jozef 

Burza, Norbert Heller and John-David 

Bridges. 



8 

EVENTS 

Business Breakfast with Martin Tlapa, 

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade 

The Chamber started the new year on 

January 11, 2007, with a business breakfast 

with Martin Tlapa, once the head of the 

Trade Section at the Czech Embassy in 

Canada, later CEO of CzechTrade and now 

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. 

Mr. Tlapa stressed the importance of 

improved services to businesses on the 

part of the state; the Ministry of Industry 

and Trade, in cooperation with CzechTrade 

and CzechInvest, offers companies a 

variety of projects to that end. He greatly 

appreciated the successes achieved by 

Czech exporters in recent years, especially 

in European markets. The favourable 

environment offered by the Czech 

Republic to investors has been conducive 

to this success, he added, for investors have 

significantly contributed to the growth of 

exports. He was also gratified to see an 

increasing export activity by small and 

medium-sized companies. 

Speaking of the international position 

of the Czech Republic, and of its 

activity within the European Union, he 

stated that our country is one of those 

EU members that apply a fairly liberal 

approach to trade. He also expressed 

satisfaction with the Czech Republic’s 

Legal Seminar: Practical Advice on Doing 

Business Internationally 

The last January event was organized by 

the Chamber in cooperation with the Trade 

Section of the Canadian Embassy at the 

convenient conference centre of Diplomat 

Hotel Prague on January 23, 2007. 

The Chamber’s Senior Vice-President, 

Thomas Hrubý, and his partner Jiří 

Buchvaldek of the Hrubý & Buchvaldek 

law firm prepared a concise practically 

oriented presentation on certain legal 

aspects of international business 

transactions. They provided an overview 

of international legal instruments, 

multilateral as well as bilateral, that 

govern international business and 

spoke of instances of conflict of 

laws, of applicability of national and 

ability to influence the Union’s trade 

policy and highlighted the potential 

associated with the utilization of the 

structural funds in the 2007-2013 period. 

One multilateral issue to which Mr. 

Tlapa attaches great significance is 

the desirability of reopening the socalled 

Qatar or Doha round of WTO 

negotiations about removing barriers 

to trade on a global scale, though he 

realizes that Europe would have to pay 

a price, in the form of cuts in subsidies, 

for progress in this direction. Freer trade 

with non-European regions will also be 

sought through bilateral negotiations 

that the EU envisages to conduct with 

countries such as India, South Korea 

and Vietnam. 

Mr. Tlapa’s presentation has reflected his 

overall active and optimistic attitude to 

international law to business-related 

legal cases and of modes of settling 

disputes in business. They offered very 

useful recommendations on how to 

stipulate the terms of business deals 

such as delivery conditions, modes of 

payment, etc. and what documents 

should be secured and kept on file for 

use in case of a dispute. They described 

the advantages and disadvantages of 

the different methods that are available 

e.g. for securing payment (letter of 

credit, bill of exchange, escrow account) 

or for settling a dispute (litigation vs. 

arbitration). They also offered advice on 

how clients should cooperate with their 

lawyers to ensure the greatest chance of 

success. 

both work and life – something that, as 

he admitted, has been partly inspired by 

his Canadian experience. 

The modern and functional conference 

area of andel’s hotel Prague offered a 

pleasant working environment for the 

occasion. 

Photos by Paul Pacey 

Courtesy of 

The Chamber wishes to thank Hrubý & 

Buchvaldek for sharing their expertise, 

and to the Embassy Trade Section for 

their support. 

Photo by Kateřina Urbanová

MEMBER NEWS 

n November 30, 2006 Alcatel and 

OLucent Technologies announced 

the completion of their merger and 

the start, as of December 1, 2006, of 

the new company’s operations as the 

world’s leading communication solutions 

provider. The new Alcatel-Lucent, with 

one of the largest global R&D capabilities 

in communications and the broadest 

wireless, wireline and services portfolio, 

is incorporated in France. Patricia Russo, 

appointed as Chief Executive Officer of 

Alcatel-Lucent, said: “Through this merger, 

we are bringing together two top-ranking 

companies to form an undisputed leader 

in the industry, a company poised to enrich 

people’s lives by transforming the way 

the world communicates. Alcatel-Lucent 

is a strong and enduring ally that service 

providers, governments and enterprises 

can count on to help them unlock new 

market and revenue opportunities. This 

combination represents a strategic fit of 

vision, geography, solutions and people, 

leveraging the best of both companies 

to deliver meaningful communications 

solutions that are personalized, simple to 

adopt and available globally.” 

Alcatel-Lucent also unveiled 

the new trademark that will 

represent the world’s largest 

communications supplier, a 

stylized version of an infinity 

symbol that looks as if it were drawn by hand. 

It visually signifies the two organizations 

flowing into each other, demonstrating an 

embrace of the respective cultures. “Our 

new logo represents the endless possibilities 

for the future and our commitment to being 

a strong and enduring ally for our customers 

around the world,” added Ms. Russo. 

••• 

rwin Brunner, previously General 

E 

Manager of Celestica’s manufacturing 

plant in Kladno, has become the company’s 

Vice-President in charge of European 

Operations. 

Nicolas Vil, a French national, 

has succeeded him as General 

Manager of the Kladno facility, 

supervising the 1400 employees 

of the site. Mr. Vil came to the 

Czech Republic to manage the 

start-up of the French company Sagem, 

which manufactured mobile phones in their 

plant at Kladno. In 2001 Sagem Kladno was 

bought by Celestica and Mr. Vil accepted 

Celestica’s offer to stay on as Operations 

Director. In this capacity, he managed 

several new customer introductions as well 

as product transfers and developed a strong 

Operations Management Team. He has 

participated in the creation of a motivating 

and encouraging company culture with a 

strong focus on employee development. 

His skills have earned him a strong 

leadership position within the company 

and he has been acknowledged as a team 

builder. During Mr. Vil’s tenure as General 

Manager, Celestica Kladno achieved a very 

successful financial result in 2006. 

••• 

olliers International has 

C 

appointed Thomas Ridout, 

a 20 year Colliers veteran, as 

Managing Director of Operations 

in the Czech Republic. Based 

primarily in Canada for most of 

his career, Mr. Ridout is a Colliers Global 

Corporate Services specialist. He will focus 

on building up local Czech businesses, 

investors and the Corporate Services 

Department, a primary area of investment 

and growth in the Prague office. Significant 

growth is also planned for the existing office, 

industrial, investment and valuation teams. 

From a regional point of view, under Ridout’s 

leadership, Colliers International plans to 

expand its Central & Eastern European 

Corporate Services capabilities. 

“Expect to see big changes in the near future,“ 

says Mr. Ridout. “The Real Estate Services 

industry is changing in Europe and Prague 

is already becoming a major hub. Colliers 

plans to be at the forefront, with the goal of 

servicing all client needs in Europe seamlessly 

with an integrated menu of services.” Chris 

McLernon, President International at 

Colliers, cites Ridout’s successful track 

record and his ability to make positive things 

happen. “I am extremely pleased to have 

Tom on board as our manager in Prague. 

The market continues to grow and I am 

confident that Tom is up to the challenge to 

lead Colliers to success.” 

••• 

rime Minister Mirek 

P 

Topolánek met with Otto J. 

Jelínek to personally thank him 

for the distinguished service 

that Mr. Jelínek has given to the 

Czech Republic as coordinator 

of the country’s international activities. 

“My mission has been accomplished,” said 

Mr. Jelínek. “However, if my participation 

is needed for implementing the changes I 

have proposed, I will be available in the 

future.“ 

Mr. Jelínek has now joined the team of 

Colliers International as Chairman for 

Colliers operations in Central and Eastern 

Europe, based in the company’s Prague office. 

“Otto is one of the most recognized and well 

respected people in both Canada and the 

Czech Republic,” says Chris McLernon. 

“He has a tremendous ability to connect 

with people as shown by his impressive 

accomplishments in athletics, business 

and politics.” Thomas Ridout echoes Mr. 

McLernon’s sentiments: “I am extremely 

pleased to have Otto as a partner at Colliers. 

He is already making a strong impact from 

the grass roots level up and I am looking 

forward to great success in the future.” 

••• 

omáš Fukala has succeeded 

T 

Luděk Vaněk as CEO of 

ProFitness Czech Republic. Mr. 

Fukala, a graduate of the Faculty 

of Economics at the Technical 

University of Ostrava, started 

his career with Walmark in 1998 as a sales 

agent for the drinks division. The company 

subsequently promoted him to Sales and 

Logistics Director – a position that he kept 

even after his division was sold to Maspex. 

At the end of 2005 he accepted an offer to 

lead VITALAND Poland. Starting June 1, 

2006, his responsibilities were expanded to 

include managing VITALAND Slovakia 

too. His appointment as CEO of ProFitness 

Czech Republic, which owns VITALAND 

Poland and Slovakia, is the most recent 

advancement in his career. 

••• 

MaMaison Hotels & Apartments, a 

brand belonging to Orco Property 

Group, a leading investor and developer 

in the Central European real estate and 

hospitality market, announced personnel 

changes to its team in the Czech Republic. 

Jarmila Migelová has been 

appointed PR & Marketing 

Manager for MaMaison Hotels 

& Apartments. She is responsible 

for the promotion and marketing 

of the entire hotel division under 

the direction of Daniel Penet, Director of 

Sales and Marketing for MaMaison. Ms. 

Migelová has gained invaluable experience 

working in several Prague hotels. She 

worked with Orco in the position of 

Development Manager from 2001 to 2004, 

where she oversaw new acquisitions and 

openings of hotels and residences in Prague, 

Budapest, Bratislava and Warsaw. She was 

General Manager of Pachtuv Palace Hotel 

since 2004. 

Guido Friedl, a German national, 

has replaced Ms. Migelová as 

General Manager of the five-star 

luxury Pachtuv Palace Hotel. He 

has been working in the hotel 

sector since 1991 and has gained 

rich experience in prestigious German and 

Czech hotels. “Hotel Pachtuv Palace is a 

very exciting and unique product with great 

potential, and I am very happy to be able to 

contribute my expertise to our quest for new 

levels of service and quality.“ 

••• 

obert Patrick Herr has 

R 

succeeded Leon Larkin 

as General Manager of 

InterContinental Prague in 

October 2006. Mr. Herr, of 

Irish origin, has brought over 

thirteen years of hospitality experience 

to his new role. He started his career with 

InterContinental Hotels Group in 1993 and 

has since held various positions with IHG 

hotels in Hamburg, Paris, Leipzig, New 

York, Vienna and Düsseldorf. This is his 

second tenure at InterContinental Prague; 

he served here previously as the hotel’s 

Resident Manager. “Coming to Prague 

after three years and seeing all the known 

faces is like coming back home,” he said. 

••• 

ichal Chour, the long- 

M 

time Director of Sales 

and more recently Executive 

Assistant Manager, assumed the 

position of General Manager of 

the Radisson SAS Alcron Hotel 

in December 2006, succeeding Pasquale 

Baiguera. Mr. Chour is the first Czech 

General Manager of the hotel since its 

reopening in 1998. He joined the hotel in 

1999 as Senior Sales Manager and after a few 

months became Director of Sales. With his 

local knowledge and extensive experience of 

the organization and the market, he is the 

ideal choice to assume the leadership of this 

well-known historic Art Deco hotel. 

••• 

ndřej Dušek, one of the 

O 

partners of PETERKA 

& PARTNERS law office, has 

returned to the firm’s Prague 

team after three years during 

which he successfully managed 

the Slovak branch of PETERKA & 

PARTNERS in Bratislava. Mr. Dušek, a 

graduate of the Lycée Carnot in Dijon and 

the Faculty of Law at Charles University 

in Prague, has been cooperating with 

PETERKA & PARTNERS since he 

began to practice law. He is a member of 

the Czech and Slovak Bar Chambers and 

focuses mainly on real estate transactions, 

commercial law, labour law and bankruptcy. 


10 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD 2006 – 2008 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD 

CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC 

Honorary Members 

of the Board: 

H.E. Michael Calcott 

Ambassador of Canada 

Tomáš J. Baťa 

CEO Bata International 

Otto J. Jelínek 

Chairman for Colliers 

operations in Central 

and Eastern Europe 

Edvard Outrata 

Vice-President, European 

Movement International 

Counsellor: 

Lyne-Marie Tremblay 

Embassy of Canada 

THE TRADE SECTION OF THE CANADIAN EMBASSY IN PRAGUE IS PLEASED 

TO INVITE YOU TO THE FOLLOWING EVENTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2007 

Continuing our long-established 

tradition, the Canadian Embassy will 

be a partner in the Volyně Wood-Frame 

Housing Seminar, April 4-5, 2007. This 

year we shall celebrate the 11th anniversary 

of this prestigious annual seminar which 

enjoys extensive international attendance. 

Ambassador Michael Calcott will open the 

Canadian session, followed by speakers 

from Canada. The main topic studied will 

be ”multiple level wooden structures“. The 

seminar will be attended by approximately 

600 specialists from the fields of wood-frame 

housing, new wood-based construction 

technologies and forestry. 

Next in line will be the International 

Building Show in Brno, April 17- 

21, 2007 where the Canadian Embassy 

will have an information booth. We will 

represent several Canadian construction 

companies and some of them, such as 

Viceroy and Corecan, will be present at 

Farewell Ilona 

On January 31, 2007, we lost our dear 

colleague and friend, Ilona Boldová, 

after her courageous battle with cancer. 

Ilona was a pillar of the Canadian 

Embassy Trade Section where she 

worked for 37 years! Fresh from university, she started 

working at the Embassy on January 2, 1969 and 

spent her whole career promoting bilateral trade 

exchanges between Canada and Czechoslovakia and 

later, the Czech Republic. She had lived through the 

rise and fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia, had 

Board of Directors: 

President 

Peter P. Formánek 

Governor 

MacLachlan College 

Senior Vice-President 

Thomas Hrubý 

Partner 

Hrubý & Buchvaldek 

Vice-President 

Erwin Brunner 

Vice-President, 

Operations, Europe 

Celestica 


Jiří Krejča 

Managing Director 

Travelex Czech 

Republic 


Stephen Lukas 

President, Vienna 

Woods Limited 

the fair. This is a very good opportunity to 

inform the public and the industry about 

new Canadian construction technologies, 

new companies penetrating the market, 

Canadian companies searching for partners 

and, in general, to increase public awareness 

about the Canadian construction sector. 

us also May 3-6, 2007 at the Canadian 

Join booth at Bookworld Prague. This book 

fair draws attention to new releases by 

publishers and booksellers, and it showcases 

companies and institutions active in the 

book market. Bookworld Prague balances 

commercial and educational goals, and 

Canadian edition usually does well in such 

contexts. We will be representing several 

Canadian books publishers as well as 

Canadian companies offering educational 

tools (such as software or technologies). 

Envi Brno, held May 29 - 31, 2007, 

ranks among the largest fairs in 

Central and Eastern Europe focusing on 


Administrative Board: 

Eva Anderová 

Individual member 

Libor Chytrý 

General Manager, 

Intier Automotive 

Seating Chomutov 

Robert Demare 

Individual member 

Monika Fraňková 

Head of Expat 

Center 

Česká spořitelna 

Tomáš Hruda 

CEO 

CzechInvest 

witnessed the birth and development of the Czech 

and Slovak Republics, and through those times, had 

helped Canadians and Czechs understand each other 

and establish business links. One can easily imagine 

the changes she had gone through, the richness of the 

network she had built, and the quantity of success 

stories and anecdotes that she could share. We used 

to say that she was our corporate memory: beside the 

fact that she was keeping a flawless filing system, she 

was also sharing all those years of experience with us 

and our clients. Her point of view was precious. Most 

Ivan Jukl 

CEO 

CzechTrade/Czech 

Trade Promotion 

Agency 

Juraj Koza 

General Manager 

Nortel Networks 

Michal Lichter 

General Manager 

Bombardier 

Transportation 

Czech Republic 

Radek Moravec 

Country Manager 

McCain Foods 


Jiří Nykodým 

Country Senior 

Officer 

Alcatel-Lucent 

water management, waste management 

and protection of the environment, and 

is attended by many market leaders 

from the Czech Republic and abroad. 

Representatives of the Trade Section will 

introduce some Canadian environmental 

technologies and will look for potential 

projects for Canadian companies. Our 

information booth will provide space for 

companies to display their documentation, 

and it will also serve as a meeting point for 

Canadian companies and their potential 

Czech partners. 

Should you need more information 

about any of the above mentioned 

events, please contact the Canadian 

Embassy in Prague, Mrs. Jitka Hošková at 

jitka.hoskova@international.gc.ca. We look 

forward to seeing you there! 

readers of the GoCanada Magazine knew her, as 

she had covered several business sectors and had 

organized and participated in numerous events. Many 

Canadian companies will remember her especially 

as a person who provided them with the market or 

contact information that facilitated their success in the 

Czech Republic, the ”market intelligence“, as we call it, 

which made the difference. We thank her dearly for her 

generosity, and we feel lucky to keep within us what she 

had taught us. We will miss her. 

The Canadian Embassy Team

CLUSTER OF CZECH FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS AT THE CANADIAN HOME 

FURNISHINGS MARKET SHOW 

The largest Canadian furniture show 

took place in Toronto on January 13 

- 16 this year. For the first time the event 

included a presentation of products by 

several members of the Cluster of Czech 

Furniture Manufacturers (Klastr českých 

nábytkářů). 

It may sound cheeky to import furniture 

to Canada – a country acknowledged as 

one of the largest furniture manufacturers 

and furniture exporters. However, Canada 

is also one of the largest importers, so we 

decided to give it a try. Why? Because 

we believe that European design, with its 

easy flowing style, backed up by the Czech 

manufacturing tradition, can succeed 

on the Canadian market. Observing the 

changes in Canadian long-term trends, we 

felt that the products manufactured by our 

members stood a good chance of attracting 

Canadian consumers. 

Two of our partners based in Canada, 

TGI Fabrics and Böhm Furniture, 

put together an exhibit extending over 150 

square metres; the entire space was filled by 

furniture made in the Czech Republic. 

The following companies participated in 

the presentation: 

Böhm Furniture displayed a selection of 

modern sets of sofas and chairs; 

Dřevotvar Jablona showed their selection 

of living room and bedroom furniture; 

Ahorn presented their system of memory 

mattresses and laminated slats bed frames; 

Drevotvar.com complemented all the other 

furniture with their gorgeous office tables 

and living room furniture; 

Dřevojas showed their vanity units, sinks 

and mirrors; 

FMP Lignum exhibited bed frames 

manufactured of solid wood; 

Nadop showed their entertainment units 

as well as kitchen cabinet doors which met 

with a great deal of interest. 

” The entire furniture selection is a 

collection of world class furniture. 

This selection complements Canadianmade 

furniture without creating a conflict 

of competing against each other,” says 

TGI Fabrics Director Paul Triska, 

pointing out that buying Czech furniture 

becomes increasingly convenient as space 

in Canadian homes and condominiums is 

getting smaller, and doorways narrower. 

Moreover, our furniture is lower and 

heavier, which makes it harder to knock 

over and therefore safer. These and other 

technological advantages are placing 

Czech furniture manufacturers ahead of 

their competitors. 

Our expectations were realized. The 

show is designed mainly for experts 

- Retail Store Buyers, Interior Designers 

and Architects - and their response was 

excellent. Based on this experience, we 

now see a very good possibility of profiling 

Czech-made furniture as a brand name for 

furniture of a pre-defined quality, a quality 

the customer can take for granted. We have 

obtained over a hundred direct contacts 

from all over Canada, in addition to the 

over four thousand contacts that were made 

available via the buyers’ database. All of 

this gives us great hope of finding partners 

for future cooperation and lasting business 

relationships. 

Now the real work starts. We have to 

put in many hours to build up these 

contacts and develop them further. We have 

to create a service area for those who will 

represent us in Canada. One thing is certain: 

If you do not manufacture in Asia and do 

not have the lowest labour expense it is not 

the quantity but the quality of your product 

– along with the level of service, support, 

continuity and problem solving ability – that 

determines your chances of success. 

To find out more, contact paul@tgifabrics.com or 

m.triska@int-cz.com. 

By Milan Tříska 

Cluster of Czech Furniture Manufacturers 

ADASTRA CORPORATION: REQUALIFIED AMONG CANADA’S 50 BEST 

Adastra Corporation defended its last 

year’s ranking as one of Canada’s Best 

Managed companies. Adastra has thus 

taken a first step toward admission to the 

Best Managed programme’s Platinum Club 

- an elite group of Canadian-owned and 

managed companies that consistently excel 

in every aspect of business. To become 

a Platinum Club member, companies 

must maintain their designation as one of 

Canada’s Best Managed Companies for a 

minimum of six consecutive years, subject 

to annual operational and financial review. 

“Achieving the highest level of business 

performance over the long term is only 

possible when organizations embrace 

a culture of aligning every activity and 

resource with building value for their 

stakeholders,” said John Hughes, Deloitte 

Partner with the Private Company Services 

Group and National Leader of the Best 

Managed programme. “All companies strive 

for business success; what distinguishes 

Platinum Club and Requalified members 

is their ability to sustain that success.” 

This means, in John Hughes’s words, 

being able to predict and adapt to the 

constantly changing domestic and global 

business environment; innovate and extend 

companies’ value proposition to customers 

and talent; balance risks and opportunities 

with a strong balance sheet; develop longterm 

executable strategies; cultivate and 

preserve a sense of purpose, belonging 

and loyalty throughout the organization. 

“The success of these companies is an 

September 2006 – January 2007 

inspiration to all Canadian businesses,” said 

James McSherry, Executive Vice-President 

and Managing Director, Commercial 

Banking, at the Canadian Imperial Bank 

of Commerce (CIBC). “Sustaining the 

highest level of business performance over 

the long term is fraught with challenges. 

Only the fittest succeed in making the giant 

leap from small entrepreneurial operations 

to multi-million dollar enterprises, avoiding 

the many pitfalls along the way.” 

GoCanada 1/2007 11

12 

ČESKÁ SPOŘITELNA: BANK OF THE YEAR 

Česká spořitelna became the first bank in 

the history of the MasterCard Bank of 

the Year competition to win both the Bank 

of the Year and the Most Trustworthy Bank 

of the Year awards in 2006. Jack Stack, 

Česká spořitelna’s Board Chairman & CEO, 

defended the title of Banker of the Year and 

the bank’s Instant Mortgage won the first 

place in the Mortgage of the Year category. 

The bank’s press announcement issued on 

this occasion placed great emphasis on the 

trust enjoyed by Česká spořitelna among its 

clients who voted it the Most Trustworthy 

Bank of the Year for the third time. 

Earlier in 2006, Česká spořitelna was 

declared the Most Polite Bank of 

2006 in a survey carried out on the portal 

bankovnipoplatky.com in association with 

the daily Metro and the financial server 

Měšec.cz. The bank also won the Best of 

Prague 2006 survey, in the category Best 

Banking and Financial Services in Prague 

thanks to the services of Česká spořitelna’s 

Expat Center. 

Česká spořitelna in Figures: 

The bank that opened the 1st ATM for 

blind people in the Czech Republic; 

the 2nd largest Czech bank, as for Total 

Assets (CZK 704 bn) and as for Net 

Profit (CZK 4.87 bn); 3 main channels of 

remote banking – Servis 24 (Telephone 

and Internet) and GSM are used by 

over 1 million clients; 4 major groups of 

Riverside Hotel, a key member of the 

MaMaison Hotels & Apartments 

hospitality portfolio, has been honoured 

in a list compiled by Tripadvisor (www. 

tripadvisor.com), in its prestigious 

Travelers’ Choice 2006. The survey rates 

the world’s best hotels based on guest 

evaluation. On Tripadvisor’s list of 

‘preferred choice’ hotels, Riverside Hotel 

came first in the Czech Republic. Since 

opening in 2002, Riverside Hotel has 

been successfully operated by MaMaison 

Hotels & Apartments, a brand of leading 

investor and developer, ORCO Property 

Group. Since January 2003, Riverside 

Hotel has been a member of the highly 

exclusive global hotel group Small Luxury 

Hotels of the World (SLH) and Hotels et 

Preference. “We are delighted and very 

proud to have received this impressive 

accolade; it means a great deal both 

to Riverside and MaMaison Hotels & 

Apartments. It is a testament to the hard 

work and dedication of Riverside staff 

that guests have chosen it, above all other 

hotels in the Czech Republic, as their 

number one,” said Daniel Penet, Director 

of Sales and Marketing for MaMaison 

Hotels & Apartments. 

clients – retail, small and medium-sized 

enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, and 

large corporate; 5.3 million clients – the 

largest number of clients among Czech 

banks; 7 branches in the Czech Republic 

open 7 days a week (altogether, CS has 

647 branches); 12 subsidiaries covering 

the entire spectrum of financial services 

and client needs; 14 Mortgage Centres 

for comprehensive service in housing; 15 

Commercial Centres for SME clients; CZK 

33 million devoted to charity in 2005; the 

long-term Consumer Satisfaction Index 

is at 77.5 points, up from 69 in 2001, while 

the EU average is about 85 points; over 

The Top 10 list among the 100 most 

luxurious hotels worldwide from 

Travelers’ Choice 2006 includes two Prague 

hotels belonging to CanCham member 

companies. Riverside Hotel Prague, 

ranking eighth, is followed by Hotel Le 

Palais, part of Vienna International Hotels 

& Resorts, which holds the 10th place. 

Several members of the Chamber 

were recognized in the Travel Trade 

Gazette’s 2006 Travel Awards survey. 

Czech Airlines was voted the best airline 

offering flights from Prague. Hilton Prague 

won No. 1 ranking as the Czech Republic’s 

best hotel, while Four Seasons finished 

second. In the category of hotel chains 

operating more than one hotel in the Czech 

Republic, Marriott International Hotels 

and Corinthia Hotels International finished 

among the top three. 


CZK 100 billion in Asset Management; 

180 years of history and tradition; 1,074 

ATMs; the Bank of the Year for the Czech 

Republic 2003, 2004, 2005 – The Banker 

Awards; MasterCard Bank of the Year 2003 

and 2006; 11,507 professional employees. 

(Figures as of July 31, 2006, financials are 

consolidated, calculated to International 

Standards for Financial Reporting.) 

Česká spořitelna – A Responsible Partner of 

the Community 

Česká spořitelna develops and maintains 

the philanthropic tradition which has 

been a part of the savings banks principle 

for 180 years. Česká spořitelna supports 

charities, non-profit organizations, civic 

associations, foundations, and funds. 

In 2001, the bank established its own 

foundation – Nadace České spořitelny. The 

foundation’s purpose is to support projects 

from the fields of culture, education, science, 

health care, charity, social activities, sport, 

and ecology. Česká spořitelna also invites 

its clients to be involved in its charitable 

and publicly beneficial activities. Since 

November 2005, the bank’s loyalty Bonus 

Programme, by means of which clients 

collect points from card transactions that 

can be exchanged for a series of gifts, has 

offered the option of donating points to 

specific charitable projects. 

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY AWARDS FOR MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER 

Oriental restaurant Rickshaw located in 

the luxurious five star hotel Corinthia 

Towers received recently an award of 5 

Stars and 6 Stripes from the renowned US 

hospitality and restaurant reviewer Seven 

Stars and Stripes. The review was based on 

presentation and tasting of a six-course menu 

with assorted Czech wines. The restaurant 

was recognized for its extraordinary cuisine 

and service; special praise was given to the 

creativity of Rickshaw Restaurant’s Head 

Chef Suchao Huangwatana. 

”When in Prague, do as the people do! And 

so it was that we experienced Rickshaw 

Restaurant, one of the incredible leaders 

in dining for locals and out-of-towners 

alike,” says the Seven Stars and Stripes 

review. Christian Grage, General Manager 

of Corinthia Towers, commented: “Such 

international award motivates us to further 

develop this outstanding restaurant 

concept.”

www.csas.cz/expatcenter Infoline: 224 101 630 

Your banking home away from home 

The Expat Center of Česká spořitelna provides products and personal banking services designed 

to meet the individual financial needs of foreign clients. The Expat Center provides expats living 

in the Czech Republic multi-lingual personal banking consultants who communicate fluently 

in English, French and German. The Expat Center is located in a beautiful historic building right 

in the heart of Prague. Come and see us in Rytířská 29, Praha 1, (near metro station Můstek), 

tel.: 224 101 630, e-mail: expatcenter@csas.cz or www.csas.cz/expatcenter.

14 

CANCHAM MEMBERS AMONG CZECH 100 BEST 

Comenius, a Pan-European Society 

for Culture, Education and Scientific 

and Technological Cooperation, presented 

its Czech 100 Best awards for the year 

2006 at Prague Castle, in the presence 

of the President of the Czech Republic, 

Václav Klaus, and Mrs. Livia Klausová, 

on November 24, 2006. The winners were 

chosen by a selected circle of prominent 

personages. 

There was the principal category, destined 

for companies registered in the Czech 

Republic with at least 20 employees and a 

turnover of or over 30 million CZK in the 

preceding twelve months. We were pleased 

to find several members of the Chamber on 

the winners’ list: 

There were the special categories. From 

among members of the Chamber, 

Czech Airlines was honoured under 

Tourism, Kapsch under Dynamic Growth, 

and Canadian Medical Care Česká 

republika under Health Care. 

There was the Lady Pro category, with 

the Director of Canadian Medical 

Care, MUDr. Barbara Taušová, among the 

award winners. 

And, there was one special award for one 

special man whose impressive career 

stands out as a class in itself: Tomáš J. Baťa 

was acknowledged as Gentleman Pro. 

CANADIAN MEDICAL CARE: HIGH QUALITY 

MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE CANADIAN TRADITION 

Canadian Medical Care is a leading 

private outpatient clinic whose mission 

is to provide western-standard medical 

care of the highest quality in a relaxed, 

professional atmosphere. The Czech 100 

Best (Health Care) award was granted to 

the clinic in the years 2004 and 2006 and 

its Director, MUDr. Barbara Taušová, was 

acknowledged as Lady Pro for the first time 

in 2003 prior to her most recent success in 

the Comenius contest. 

MUDr. Barbara Taušová 

was born in Brno 

and studied at the Medical 

Faculty of Masaryk 

University, Brno (1980- 

86). She completed the 

1st attestation in 1989, 

specializing in pediatrics. 

For six years (1991-97), Dr. Taušová worked 

at the Institute for the Care of Mother 

& Child, department of physiological 

newborns, including neonatal intensive care. 

In 1993, she started a private children’s clinic 

called Pediatric Health Centre where she 

continues to treat numerous pediatric patients. 

In 1998, Dr. Taušová took over the 

leadership of Canadian Medical Care 

from the clinic’s Canadian founders; since 

then, she has served as CMC’s Director. 

Under her dedicated and inspired guidance, 

CMC has successfully expanded its services 

to become one of the leading health care 

providers in Prague. MUDr. Barbara 

Taušová is a member of the American and 

Canadian Pediatric Associations and has 

taken part in numerous internships and 

congresses abroad. She is married, with two 

teenage children. 

Photo 

CMC employs close to 40 specialists 

from all major medical fields and 

treats thousands of patients annually at its 3 

clinics, located in Prague 4 and 6. The clinic 

takes cares of the needs of individuals and 

small as well as large corporations to whom 

it offers preventive occupational health care 

programmes. CMC’s services are tailored 

to the needs of patients and include a wide 

range of specializations: Acupuncture, 

Allergology, Cardiology, Dentistry, 

Dermatology, Ear, Nose and Throat, 

Gynaecology, Homeopathy, Immunology, 

Internal Medicine, Lymphology, Medical 

Ear Piercing, Medical Pedicure, Urology/ 

Nephrology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, 

Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Physiotherapy/ 

Rehabilitation, Pneumology, Podiatry, 

Practical Medicine, Pre- and Post-natal Care, 

Pre-operative Examinations, Psychiatry 


and Psychology, Speech Therapy, Surgery, 

as well as Medical Fitness. 

CMC patients further enjoy: 24-hour 

Medical Hotline & Home Visits, 

Extensive Blood Testing, Ambulance 

Transport, Training Courses (e.g. First 

Aid), Preventive Vaccination, etc. 

CMC offers systematic and personalized 

care in order to develop close 

cooperation between the patient and the 

medical team. Consultations among CMC 

professionals are commonplace, providing 

for a smooth transfer of patient information 

among various medical specialties. Expect 

to receive only the highest standard of 

medical care at Canadian Medical Care.

PROMINENT CANADIAN PRESENCE AT THE WEEK OF CZECHS LIVING ABROAD 

In September 2006 Prague hosted 

numerous distinguished Czechs 

who have found new homes, and made 

successful careers, in different countries 

around the world. They came to attend the 

Week of Czechs Living Abroad, held under 

the auspices of the Head of State of their 

old home country, President Václav Klaus. 

Several prominent Czech Canadians were 

present for the occasion. A. Karel Velan 

was the keynote speaker at the opening 

ceremony in the Prague Carolinum where 

he delivered a lecture on the impact of 

ethics on politics, business and education 

of the young generation after forty years 

of totalitarian rule. As well, sculptor Lea 

Vivot participated in the presentation of 

the “Distinguished Czech Woman of the 

World” awards which she received herself 

in 2003. 

A. Karel Velan: Through Ethics 

can be found everywhere – from Korea and 

to Business Success 

China to the northernmost parts of America. 

man who conquered three Himalayan Equipment supplied by Velan Inc. has been 

A mountains and does three hundred used in nuclear power stations as well as 

press-ups a day – that’s A. Karel Velan, a submarines. In the sixty years of Mr. Velan’s 

Czech Canadian who will soon celebrate business activities, his companies have never 

his ninetieth birthday and who has become faced a single lawsuit. 

renowned as one of the most successful Karel Velan has retained a strong 

Czech-born business people worldwide. 

affection for his old home country. 

approached him when we were looking In spite of, or perhaps because of, these 

I for a keynote speaker for the Week of warm sentiments, he can be critical of the 

Czechs Living Abroad. Mr. Velan immediately developments in the Czech Republic. 

agreed and offered a choice of several topics. He repeatedly alerted representatives of foundation supporting young Czech artists; 

The one that we opted for was ”ethics in our state to the problems occurring in the they have helped to make possible study 

business“. Who but Karel Velan would be process of privatization; voiced a critical stays of Czech medical doctors in Canada 

better qualified to address this issue? 

opinion when he saw a lack of interest on the 

T 

and the United States; and they have made 

” he Valve King of the World” was part of the state in export promotion; and a substantial donation with the goal of 

born in Ostrava in 1918. Following pointed out the need for improvements in repairing the damage caused by floods. 

graduation from the Technical University of both the legal situation and the environment The portrait of this extraordinary 

Brno, he began to work in the engineering for investments in the Czech Republic. man would be incomplete if we did 

industry. The business that he started in 1947 In his opinion, corporate leaders should not mention one of his many hobbies 

soon fell victim to nationalization following subscribe to personal accountability for – cosmology. Mr. Velan’s theory of a multi- 

the 1948 Communist takeover. Mr. Velan the operation of their companies, including universe cosmos is seen by many experts as 

and his family left Czechoslovakia shortly liability under penal law if applicable. the only competitor to Stephen Hawkins’ 

thereafter, eventually finding a new home He feels such personal accountability theory of black holes. 

in Canada. No more than a week after could help to prevent situations where the Karel Velan, a strong supporter and 

their arrival in Montreal, Mr. Velan rented consequences of dubious business deals or long-time Chairman of the Toronto- 

office space from Tomáš Baťa for his first debts left behind by companies that have based Czech North American Chamber of 

Canadian company, Velan Engineering. His been stripped of their assets are borne by Commerce, has received several prestigious 

business was soon thriving and he was able the state, and thus by taxpayers. 

to build his own factory in 1953. His patented 

K 

awards both in Canada and the Czech 

arel Velan and his wife Olga have Republic. The Czech decorations include 

inventions won him prestigious customers, donated more than half a million the Gratias Agit prize conferred on Mr. 

including the U.S. Navy to whom he sold dollars to Czech charities. They have Velan by the Czech Minister of Foreign 

equipment for use in aircraft carriers. Then become the most generous supporters of Affairs (1998) and an award of the Czech 

he launched the manufacture of industrial the Good Will Committee – Olga Havel Ethical Forum (2004). Mr. Velan is also 

valves which established his global fame. Foundation; their donations have made it one of the few non-native people to have 

His Velan Inc. now owns several factories in possible to open a home for the mentally received the title of honorary chief from the 

Canada, the United States, Europe and Tai- handicapped in Blansko and a home for Mohawk tribe for whom he built a cultural 

wan and its annual turnover has reached 400 Romany children in Brno. Together with centre and a radio station near Montreal. 

million dollars. The company’s products Maestro Josef Suk, they have set up a 

Lea Vivot – an Artist Sharing Love 

and Charity 

Sculptor Lea Vivot (Drahomíra 

Lea Hekelová) is a graduate of 

the Prague School of Decorative Arts. 

After the Warsaw Pact armies invaded 

Czechoslovakia, Lea – an unbounded 

and freedom loving personality - decided 

to leave her home country and continued 

her art studies in Italy, Canada and the 

United States. 

Lea Vivot, whose permanent home 

is now in Kleinburg, Ontario, has 

become famous through her “benches“ 

- open air compositions consisting of 

life-size figures. She hates art that is 

made exclusively for admiration by its 

viewers: she wants her artworks to be 

part of everyday life, to be touched and 

felt. Her benches are to be a place for 

lovers to sit on, or children to play at. 

Lea Vivot’s pieces can be seen in front 

of the Children’s Hospital in Toronto, at 

Parliament Hill in Ottawa, in Madison 

Square Garden, New York, in several 

locations in Prague (e.g. in front of Sazka 

Arena), in Cape Town, Acapulco etc. 

Her artwork has also decorated homes 

or offices of celebrities, such as Placido 

Domingo, Hillary R. Clinton or the late 

Pierre E. Trudeau. 

Lea Vivot is also a great charity 

supporter. Both her art and 

her contributions to charity were 

acknowledged when she was honoured 

as a “Distinguished Czech Woman of the 

World“. Lea herself designed the prize 

that goes with the award – a bronze statue 

of a woman born out of an egg-shell. 

By Ivan Dubovický, 

Secretary General of the International 

Coordinating Committee of Czechs Living Abroad 

Photos Courtesy of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

and Lea Vivot Archives 


16 

CZECH HONORARY CONSULS IN CANADA – BEYOND CONSULAR ROUTINE 

2006 has seen an expansion of the 

network of the Czech Republic’s 

a week of his time, says Mr. Jelinek. 

However, he has always seen a major 

While being occupied with this 

initiative at the present time, 

Honorary Consulates in Canada. part of his role as making the Czech Mr. Jelinek is also looking beyond the 

Three Honorary Consulates are now in Republic more widely known in Western present. In the future, he wishes to see 

operation in Calgary, Alberta; Vancouver, Canada. To that end, he has developed Czech companies doing business in 

British Columbia (reopened in June contacts with the business community, Alberta, participating in tenders there, 

2006); and Winnipeg, Manitoba (newly the media, government authorities, etc. etc. The skilled workers who may come 

opened in October 2006). 

The popularity of Czech hockey players to Alberta under the current programme 

In a country of the size of Canada, has helped in this endeavour in recent can establish useful contacts and acquire 

the role of Honorary Consulates years, he admits. 

a great deal of knowledge that they 

and the Honorary Consuls who head When the Government of Alberta, would eventually bring back to the Czech 

them – officers volunteering their time, reacting to a shortage of skilled Republic. Their broadened professional 

expertise and resources - has been of labour in the province, began to experience and improved language skills 

major significance in the advancement of actively encourage skilled workers from can be an asset both to the economies of 

bilateral links. In those provinces where abroad to come to work in Alberta Mr. their home regions to which they may 

the Czech Republic has no diplomatic Jelinek immediately recognized the return and to a further advancement of 

representation Honorary Consulates, in opportunities arising here for Czechs Czech-Canadian business ties. 

addition to providing consular services, seeking work experience abroad and 

have often served as focal points of added a new line of business to his Honorary Consulate 

multifaceted activity promoting business agenda. He set up an agency called of the Czech Republic Calgary 

as well as cultural exchanges between the CASLAWIA (which stands for Czechs (Serving the Provinces of Alberta 

Czech lands and Canada. 

And Slovaks Living And Working In and Saskatchewan) 

Alberta) that assists Canadian companies 611 - 71 st. Avenue S.E., Calgary, 

GoCanada has recently been in touch in finding qualified staff in the Czech and Alberta T2H 0S7 

with the serving Honorary Consuls. Slovak Republics and, in addition, helps Tel: +1 403 2694924, Fax: +1 403 2613077 

skilled Czechs and Slovaks find suitable E-mail:Calgary@honorary.mzv.cz 

Jaroslav Jerry Jelinek, Calgary 

employers in Canada and get settled into 

Jaroslav Jerry Jelinek, a Czech by birth a new living & working environment. 

living in Canada since 1980, is one Last year and early this year, Mr. Jelinek 

Office hours: 

Wednesday 14.00 – 18.00 local time (-8 hours 

compared to the Czech Rep.) 

of those Czech Canadians who have travelled to several regions in the Czech 

built up a successful life and career in Republic, especially those with high Michael Duncan (Mike) Adlem, 

Canada without losing their attachment 

to their old home country. In addition 

to his business activities in the area of 

unemployment rates, to present the 

project. On December 1, 2006 he made 

a presentation for prospective applicants 

Vancouver 

Since becoming Honorary Consul for 

the Czech Republic in June 2006, 

software development for the oil & gas in Liberec – approx. 130 people came to Mike Adlem has been busy providing 

industry (he serves as Vice-President of hear him. The region’s Governor, Mr. consular services in Vancouver. He is 

Operations of Terra Management), Mr. Petr Skokan, was also present to express assisted by Veronika Field, a second 

Jelinek has been actively involved in the support for the initiative. Besides year law student at the University of 

Calgary branch of the Canadian-Czech Liberec, that has already established British Columbia, who is from the Czech 

Chamber of Commerce and the Calgary- links with Canada formalized through a Republic. 

based Czech Business Association of Memorandum of Understanding signed 

Canada. His appointment as the Czech by Governor Skokan and the Mayor of 

Republic’s Honorary Consul in Calgary Edmonton in the spring of 2006, Mr. 

came six years ago. 

Jelinek has also been in touch with the 

Routine consular work, such as regional authorities in Ostrava, Hradec 

certifying signatures, copies or Králové, Pardubice and Ústí nad Labem; 

translations, takes approx. one day Governor Jiří Šulc of the Ústí Region is 

planning to visit Canada. 

What will await Czechs who choose 

to take part in this venture? The 

province of Alberta currently boasts 

an unprecedented economic growth, 

sizeable oil supplies, the lowest taxes in 

Canada, and a high level of education. 

Mike is a senior litigation partner in 

the Gowlings law firm which is the 

Skilled workers are needed especially largest law firm in Canada with offices 

in the oil, agriculture, forestry, and in several major Canadian cities and in 

manufacturing industries as well as Moscow. Gowlings is proud to be home 

tourism. It is envisaged that the foreign to the Czech Consulate in Vancouver 

professionals would stay in Alberta and Mike looks forward to the possibility 

for three years and that they would be of Gowlings some day opening an office 

able to come with their families. Their in Prague. Mike recently returned 

children can attend Canadian schools from a trip to the Czech Republic and 

up to 12th grade free of charge, under he is assisting the Czech Embassy in 

the same conditions as Canadian pupils. Ottawa in organizing a presentation in 

Those interested can visit www.caslawia. Vancouver scheduled for March 29, 2007, 

com to find out more and to register. which is designed to promote Canadian 

The agency’s regional representatives investment, trade and tourism in the 

in the Czech Republic will then contact Czech Republic. The presentation will 

applicants for a first interview. 

be at the same time as an official visit to 


CZECH HONORARY CONSULS IN CANADA – BEYOND CONSULAR ROUTINE 

British Columbia by the Committee on 

Economy, Agriculture and Transport of 

the Czech Senate. A Czech film festival 

and a fascinating display of Czech movie 

poster art will also run concurrently at the 

Vancouver International Film Centre. 

Speakers at the March 29 presentation 

will likely include Pavel Vošalík, 

the Czech Ambassador to Canada; Jiří 

Šneberger, a Deputy Speaker of the Czech 

Senate; George Heller, the President 

of the Canadian-Czech Chamber of 

Commerce, as well as representatives of 

CzechTrade, CzechInvest, CzechTourism 

and Czech Airlines. If any members of 

the Canadian Chamber of Commerce 

in the Czech Republic plan to be in 

Vancouver on March 29 and are interested 

in attending the presentation, please email 

Mike at vancouver@honorary.mzv. 

cz. In addition to providing consular 

services to assist Czechs in British 

Columbia, Mike is doing his best to 

promote bilateral trade, investment and 

tourism to the Czech Republic and 

he would be pleased to hear from us 

if there is anything he can do to assist 

our Chamber and its members. For a 

start, we have agreed to keep each other 

constantly informed about our respective 

activities. 

wife, Brenda, is of Czech 

Mike’s extraction and both Mike and 

their son, Ryan, thoroughly enjoyed a 

trip they made to the Czech Republic 

last summer. The entire family is looking 

forward to a return visit. 

Honorary Consulate 

of the Czech Republic Vancouver 

(Serving the Province of British Columbia) 

1055 Dunsmuir St., 23rd Floor, Vancouver, 

British Columbia V7X 1J1 

Tel: +1 604 8912296, Fax: +1 604 6836498 

E-mail:vancouver@honorary.mzv.cz 

Office hours: 

Monday 10.00 – 12.00, Friday 12.00 – 14.00 

local time (-9 hours compared to the Czech Rep.) 

William Randa, Winnipeg 

The Honorary Consulate in Winnipeg 

is the latest addition to the Czech 

Republic’s consulates list in Canada. 

The new Honorary Consul, William 

Randa, is an architect with Czech roots. 

As with his colleagues, we have agreed to 

stay in touch on a continuous basis, to 

exchange pertinent information and to 

see how we can develop our cooperation 

in the time to come. 

Honorary Consulate 

of the Czech Republic Winnipeg 

(Serving the Province of Manitoba) 

310 - 115 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, 

Manitoba R3B 0R3 

Tel: +1 204 9420981, Fax: +1 204 94709626 

E-mail:winnipeg@honorary.mzv.cz 

Office hours: 

Thursday 14.00 - 16.00 local time (-7 hours 

compared to the Czech Rep.); by appointment only 

LESSING INSTITUTE: CANADIAN ACADEMIC’S DREAM BECOMES A REALITY IN PRAGUE 

This summer, Lessing 

Institute will once again 

open its doors and welcome 

university students, ”openthe-clock 

experience that Prague can.“ programme attend lectures alongside the 

university students and enjoy sightseeing 

Participants spend part of each day and cultural activities throughout 

in small, intimate lectures given Prague, the Czech Republic and Europe 

minded“ travellers and faculty by faculty visiting from universities during free time and on weekends. 

from around the world to around the world, and the remaining The OMS programme runs from July 

Prague for four weeks of time exploring the streets of Prague, 1-15, 2007. ”Lessing Institute’s Open 

stimulating academic debate attending cultural events or participating Mind Studies programme combines the 

and mind-enriching cultural in optional travel to places of historic pleasure and excitement of a normal tour 

experiences. Based on the significance in the Czech Republic and with the challenge of being stimulated 

campus of the New Anglo- Europe. 

intellectually,“ says Dr. Harry Hurwitz. 

American College, Lessing 

Institute is the most recent project for 

L 

” ast year was Lessing Institute’s 

Canadian academic Dr. Harry Hurwitz inaugural year and we were really 

Lessing Institute is a not-for-profit 

organization that is currently 

who is also founder of the Three Rings bolstered by the response we received underwritten exclusively by Hurwitz. 

Project and director of Symphonic from participants,“ said Hurwitz. ”Most This summer, a foundation will come 

Workshops Ltd. and the International students said the experience was highly into existence that will be charged with 

Opera Workshop. 

rewarding and fascinatingly interesting, the responsibility of fundraising. 

Lessing Institute is a centre of learning 

where students, from across North 

but some went so far as to say it had 

changed their life and they had changed 

majors as a result.“ A 

” 

n international summer school 

based in Prague is only complete 

America and Europe, come to study and 

discuss the underlying causes of interracial 

and inter-faith conflicts. Students 

Students at Lessing select from 

a comprehensive curriculum of 

if it includes the participation of 

Czech students,“ said Hurwitz, who is 

focusing his efforts on increasing Czech 

look at how the three Abrahamic religions intramural courses and extra-curricular participation this year. ”The reality is 

- Judaism, Christianity and Islam - have activities that enable them to analyze that Czech students can only participate 

shaped the world as we know it. 

Western culture through politics, social if there are scholarships and these 

” The Lessing Institute programme 

isn’t religious, but it asks students 

structure, art, literature and philosophy. 

They are awarded university credits, 

transferable to their degree programmes, 

scholarships really need to come from 

organizations that have roots in both the 

Czech Republic and Canada.“ 

to understand religions and to use that 

understanding as a lens through which to 

view Western culture,“ says Hurwitz who 

stresses lectures are only a small piece 

upon completion of the programme. 

In addition to the four-week university 

credit programme which runs from 

Lessing Institute operates with the 

support of the New Anglo-American 

College in Prague, a body recognized by 

of the Lessing experience. ”I selected June 30 to July 28, 2007, Lessing the Ministry of Education of the Czech 

Prague to be the home of Lessing Institute also offers a two-week Open Republic and entitled to award degrees. 

Institute because, in my opinion, there is Mind Studies programme (OMS) for 

no other city that comes close to offering travellers who want a mind-enriching For more information on Lessing Institute 

the unique historical and cultural round- holiday. Participants in the OMS visit www.lessinginstitute.com 


18 

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY FOREIGN 

INVESTORS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC 

The Czech Republic 

has established itself 

as one of the preferential 

destinations for Foreign Direct 

Investment (FDI) in the 

region of Central and Eastern 

European Countries (CEECs). 

The reasons are well-known: 

favourable geographical 

position and a relatively 

developed infrastructural 

network (compared to the 

average in CEECs), backed up by pre- 

Communism traditions of industrial 

production. The determinants of FDI in 

CEECs have constituted one of the main 

topics on the agenda of researchers in 

International Business. In the most recent 

years, the attention of researchers has 

been focused on the impact that specific 

features of the local environment have on 

FDI. These features are related to the set 

of formal laws and informal habits in a 

country and are also called “Institutions”. 

The so-called institutional setting has 

often been problematic in CEECs, due 

to outdated laws and to informal habits 

that have not corresponded to the 

expectations of foreign investors (such as 

corruption and behaviour of the workforce). 

The situation in the Czech Republic 

is generally considered to be better 

than in most of the former Communist 

countries. Nonetheless, several reports 

and studies have indicated that in the 

Czech Republic, too, the law is not 

entirely adequate to attract and retain 

FDI and that some informal habits act as 

serious constraints for foreign investors. A 

recent study, undertaken by the author of 

this article, has analyzed the consequences 

that specific features of the institutional 

setting in the Czech Republic have for 

FDI. The formal laws considered in the 

analysis are the so-called state incentives 

and the general business law. Among 

the informal habits, corruption and the 

behaviour of the workforce are the features 

whose importance has been studied. 

Several interviews have been undertaken 

with top executives of foreign companies 

and foreign Chambers of Commerce in 

the Czech Republic. 

The first conclusion that can be drawn 

from this research is that the process 

of awarding of incentives appears to be 

quite transparent at the present time. The 

state agency CzechInvest, in charge of 

handling the applications for incentives, 

is perceived as a reliable and trustworthy 

partner by those foreign investors who 

have dealt with it. 

On the other hand, it has been 

found that the importance of 

state incentives, in spite of being 

acknowledged, is not at the top of foreign 

investors’ priorities lists. In other words: 

state incentives make a difference when 

the other conditions on two markets 

short-listed for an investment project are 

more or less the same. Otherwise, they 

do not work too much to attract FDI 

and result mainly in budgetary costs for 

the Czech government. The applicants 

seeking incentives are mainly those foreign 

companies that want to save costs. But 

such investors do not usually introduce 

skills and knowledge into the Czech 

Republic, nor do they intend to serve the 

local market. They are ready to move to 

other countries as soon as they can find a 

cheaper environment or more incentives. 

The conclusions of this study regarding 

the importance of state incentives are in 

line with most of the other studies on 

this issue. The community of scholars 

in International Business nowadays 

generally agrees that state incentives bring 

more FDI only if the general environment 

of the host country appears safe. 

The conducted interviews suggest 

that foreign investors in the Czech 

Republic face a specific problem whose 

importance cannot be downplayed. Rather 

than seeking more and more incentives, 

foreign investors are definitely more 

interested in an efficient and well enforced 

law which seems to be still far to come (this 

holds true in particular for the bankruptcy 

law). The current situation leaves room 

for serious complaints and the quality of 

the business law in the country has been 

frequently blamed by the interviewees. 

Corruption is another factor related 

to the institutional setting whose 

importance has been investigated. This is 

because corruption is nowadays considered 

(for example by the World Bank) to be 

one of the main problems for foreign 

investors operating in Central and Eastern 

Europe. The results of this study seem to 

be somewhat surprising in this respect 

– foreign investors do not appear to be 

deterred by requests for bribes, on the basis 

of the assumption that “It works the same 

way everywhere”. Apparently, corruption 

in the Czech Republic is quite widespread 

but the amounts demanded are considered 

“reasonable”, and the practice works to 

speed up certain bureaucratic procedures. 

This does not mean that corruption is 

not a problem for a country interested 

in attracting FDI. There is an indirect 

effect of corruption because the failure to 

amend an outdated business law is seen as 

the result of extensive corruption among 

decision-makers. Thus, corruption does 

not affect FDI directly (as foreign investors 

do not appear to be seriously bothered) but 

indirectly, as an impediment to progress of 

reforms in the formal law. 

The behaviour of the workforce 

is another feature of the Czech 

environment that has been criticized. 

Several foreign executives maintain that 

the Czechs, in general, lack initiative, 


need to be continuously monitored and 

sometimes tend to steal company property. 

However, these characteristics of the 

Czech workforce do not seem to adversely 

affect the level of FDI. Quite the contrary: 

foreign companies are often ready to pay 

extra costs for the development of skills of 

their managers and workers. 

Finally, there is a further point emerging 

from the interviews. The interviewed 

persons pointed out the paramount 

importance of having a network of 

contacts to carry on business in the Czech 

Republic. In this respect, the networking 

activities of the Chambers of Commerce 

appear particularly suitable especially for 

small and medium-sized enterprises. 

The final message to be drawn from the 

study is that the Czech government 

should do more to improve the quality 

of business law, which appears rather 

cumbersome. In order to achieve this goal, 

it is important to overcome the impact 

that a corrupted political class may have 

on the reform of the business law. The 

provision of more state incentives should 

be properly balanced because awarding 

additional incentives does not necessarily 

mean attracting foreign investors able 

to export knowledge and skills to the 

country. By the same token, the various 

foreign Chambers of Commerce in the 

Czech Republic should continue to carry 

on networking and organizing events. In 

this respect, the Canadian Chamber of 

Commerce is definitely perceived as a 

very active organization. 

By Pietro Andrea Podda, 

Manchester Metropolitan University 

GoCanada is published three times a year 

in Prague by the Canadian Chamber 

of Commerce in the Czech Republic, 

IČO 25136933, and is registered 

with the Ministry of Culture 

under Ref. No. MK ČR E14655. 

Should you wish to advertise, place 

an article or contribute in any way 

please contact our office: 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce 

in the Czech Republic 

Praha City Center, Klimentská 46, 

110 02 Praha 1 


www.gocanada.cz 

Tel.: 225 000 345 

E-mail: info@gocanada.cz 

Editor: Alexandra Brabcová 

E-mail: brabcova@gocanada.cz 

The views expressed in GoCanada 

are not necessarily the views of the 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce but 

those of the individual contributors.

THE NEW LABOUR CODE 

Despite the rejection by the Senate 

and the veto of the President, 

the New Labour Code was adopted 

in April 2006, as Act No. 262/2006 

Coll. After several attempts to delay 

its entering into force, it did take effect 

as of January 1, 2007, replacing the 

previous Labour Code No. 65/1965 

Coll. (the “Old Labour Code”). 

The New Labour Code 

represents a complex body 

of labour regulations, and in this respect 

it has embraced and superseded (in 

addition to the Old Labour Code) also 

the regulations hitherto contained in the 

Act on Wages (Act No. 1/1992 Coll.), the 

Act on Salary (Act No. 143/1992 Coll.), 

and the Act on Travel Expenses (Act No. 

119/1992 Coll.). Furthermore, it takes over 

and replaces the rules hitherto contained 

in certain implementing regulations 

regarding obstacles at work, vacation, 

etc. The New Labour Code also includes 

a fundamental regulation of rights and 

obligations of the employer in respect to 

safety and protection of health at work in 

relations governed by labour law. 

What Is Not Prohibited Is Allowed 

The principle that “what is not allowed 

is prohibited”, which forms the basis 

of the Old Labour Code, has changed 

in the New Labour Code in such a way 

that “the rights and obligations in labour 

relations may be regulated in a way 

differing from this Act unless this Act 

expressly prohibits doing so or unless it 

follows from the nature of its provisions 

that it is not possible to divert from it.” 

However, though this purports to be a 

significant change compared with the 

previous legislation, its actual impact 

is rather limited since the New Labour 

Code does not give parties to labour 

relations much contractual freedom and 

contains many mandatory provisions. 

Relationship to the Civil Code 

The relationship between the New 

Labour Code and the Civil Code 

has also been redefined. The so-called 

method of delegation has been chosen 

to govern the relationship between civil 

law and labour law, which means that 

applicability to labour relations shall be 

limited only to those provisions of the 

Civil Code for which this is expressly 

stipulated by the New Labour Code. 

Connection to the Act on Health Insurance 

In connection with the new Act on 

Health Insurance (Act No. 187/2006 

Coll.), the New Labour Code also 

regulates the obligations of the employer 

during the first 14 days of an employee’s 

incapacity to work. Instead of sickness 

insurance benefits, the employer shall 

provide wage compensation to the 

employee for the first 14 calendar days 

of the employee’s illness. However, 

after a long discussion on this issue, 

the effectiveness of this Act has been 

postponed; the Act should become 

effective as of January 1, 2008. 

Anti-Discrimination Regulation 

Although the New Labour Code 

synthesizes in one act laws previously 

embodied in a number of separate acts, 

it contains only fundamental provisions 

on equal treatment and those banning 

discrimination. It has been envisaged 

that a new anti-discrimination act on 

equal treatment and legal means of 

protection against discrimination will 

be adopted. However, the government 

draft of such act was recently rejected. 

To summarize, until the new antidiscrimination 

act is adopted, protection 

of employees against discrimination may 

be even weaker under the New Labour 

Code as compared to the protections 

afforded under the Old Labour Code. 

Inception of the Employment Relationship 

The employment relationship is 

constituted principally by an 

employment agreement between the 

employee and the employer. The 

employment agreement must always be 

made in writing. It is no longer possible 

to constitute an employment relationship 

by election, since election is considered 

to be merely a prerequisite preceding 

entry into an employment agreement. 

The employment relationship may come 

into being by appointment only for 

heads (managers) of organizational units 

of the state, state enterprises, etc. The 

new labour regulation does not provide 

for the possibility of establishing a 

labour relationship by appointment with 

employers from the private sector. 

Probation Period 

According to the New Labour 

Code, it is still possible to agree in 

writing on a probation period of up to 

three months. The novelty is that the 

probation period does not include the 

time of impediments to work (such as 

sickness of the employee), due to which 

the employee has not worked. 

Agreements on Work Performed outside the 

Scope of Employment Relationship 

The New Labour Code has maintained 

both types of hitherto existing 

agreements on work performed outside 

the scope of employment relationship, 

i.e., agreement on labour activity as well 

as agreement on performance of work. 

The legal regulation of these agreements 

is free from the limiting conditions of the 

Old Labour Code, according to which 

they might have been entered into only 

in exceptional cases. 

Termination of the Employment Relationship 

As regards termination of an 

employment relationship, the new 

legislation has maintained all existing 

possibilities. Thus an employment 

relationship may be terminated in 

the future by agreement, notice of 

termination, instant termination and 

termination within the probation 

period. The employment relationship 

further terminates upon the death of the 

employee and now, newly, also by the 

death of the employer–natural person, 

unless the trade is being continued. 

Abolishment of the Employer’s Obligation 

of Actively Assisting the Employee to Find 

Another Job 

The New Labour Code abolishes the 

employer’s obligation of actively 

assisting the employee to find another 

job in connection with termination of 

the employment relationship induced 

by the employer. Similarly, the new 

law does not stipulate the obligation 

of the employer to arrange for a new 

suitable job in the event of termination 

of the employment relationship with a 

disabled employee who has no pension 

and with a single employee, male or 

female, taking care of a child under 15 

years of age. The employer is obligated 

to report termination of the employment 

relationship with a disabled employee in 

writing to the relevant Labour Office. 

Trade Union Organizations and Collective 

Bargaining Agreements 

Pursuant to the New Labour Code, 

the employer has the obligation 

to negotiate a collective bargaining 

agreement with all trade union 

organizations that operate within the 

employer’s structure. The trade union 

organizations enter into a collective 

bargaining agreement also on behalf of 

the employees who are not trade union 

members, so such collective bargaining 

agreement also applies to the employees 

who might not even agree with it and 

have not granted a power of attorney 

to anyone to enter into it. Trade union 

organizations are supposed to act in 

mutual harmony, but if they fail to agree, 

the employer has the right to enter into 

a collective bargaining agreement with 

the trade union organization with the 

highest number of members employed 

by the employer. This provision may lead 

to discrimination of smaller trade union 

organizations. 

By Mgr. Kristýna Oberfalcerová 

Attorney, SALANS 


20 

ARBITRATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND ABROAD 

story published in Czech 

A Business Weekly in the spring 

of 2005 highlighted an incident 

involving a young Czech woman 

Differences between ad hoc and institutional Fees and expectations depend on clients’ 

arbitration: 

needs. Preliminary matters may be 

Parties will often agree on arbitration done for a fixed fee - typically CAD 300under 

the rules of one of the institutions 500, depending on the work that is needed. 

representing herself as a private that provide facilities for arbitral settlement Arbitrators and mediators usually charge 

arbitrator. In her position, Sandra of international trade disputes. The an hourly fee for the time required. Fees for 

Svobodová allegedly launched advantage of institutional arbitration over AAOC (Arbitration Associates of Canada) 

arbitrations without consent of ad hoc arbitration consists in administrative associates range from CAD 125 to 200 per 

the parties involved. The public assistance with respect to the conduct to be hour depending on the time, nature and 

became aware of the affair when followed (rules contain a code of procedure). complexity of the issues to be resolved. 

three companies filed criminal In any case, the arbitration clause in a Travel and GST (Goods and Services Tax) 

charges. The central issue around contract should always specify the seat and are paid in addition. Costs are usually split 

Svobodová is whether her actions 

violate Czech law, a question that has yet 

to be answered formally. (So far it has been 

the language of the arbitration. 

between the parties and payable as the 

In the Czech Republic there is presently work proceeds. Billed time includes any 

domestic and international arbitration necessary preparation, such as reviewing 

found that Sandra Svobodová is in fact a ad hoc, which is not a permanent (or documents, travel, meeting sessions, and 

young Slovak man with a dark criminal past institutional) ruling court in accordance preparation of agreements or decisions that 

who underwent special treatment in order to with Act No. 216/1994 Coll. 

arise from the mediation or arbitration. 

change his identity.) 

What would then be the law governing the Who can become an arbitrator? 

To understand the background of proceedings? 

T 

No definitive statement can be made 

alternative dispute resolution (or out of he applicable law is sometimes referred concerning the credentials or 

court settlements), it is important to know to as the curial law, and may be different experience levels of arbitrators, although 

what is currently used in practice. 

from the law governing the contract. If the some jurisdictions have chosen to establish 

Arbitration exists under national and parties have adopted an international code standards for arbitrators in certain fields. 

international law, and arbitration of arbitration, such as the UNCITRAL Several independent organizations offer 

can be carried out between private (United Nations Commission on training programmes for arbitrators. In the 

parties, between states, or between states International Trade Law) Arbitration Rules United States, the American Arbitration 

and private parties. Arbitration aims to or the Rules of Arbitration of the ICC Association has proper credentials. 

achieve resolution of a dispute through (International Chamber of Commerce), Generally speaking, the credibility of an 

the appointment (by parties adopting an there will usually be no need to go beyond arbitrator rests upon reputation, level of 

adversarial stance) of a private “judge” who this and to resort to national law. 

experience in arbitrating particular issues, 

will decide on the matters in dispute. Thus, How is the award enforced? 

or expertise/experience in a particular field. 

arbitration is closer to court proceedings The Convention on the Recognition Arbitrators are generally not required to be 

than ADR. 

and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral members of the legal profession. However, 

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) Awards (New York, 1958) provides for the to ensure effective arbitration and to increase 

aims to achieve an amicable settlement enforcement of foreign arbitral awards the general credibility of the arbitral process, 

of a dispute using the services of a third in the territory of the contracting parties. arbitrators will sometimes sit as a panel, 

party, such as a mediator or a conciliator. Similar provisions are contained in the usually consisting of three arbitrators. The 

What are the differences between the two? 

earlier Convention on the Execution of trio consists of (1) an expert in the legal 

For many reasons, not least in terms of 

Foreign Arbitral Awards (Geneva, 1927). area within which the dispute falls (such 

as contract law in the case of a dispute over 

cost, ADR is preferable to arbitration. How does arbitration work outside the Czech 

the terms and conditions of a contract), (2) 

ADR, however, will only succeed if the Republic? 

parties are well disposed towards it. 

I 

an expert in the industry within which the 

n the UK there is a statute law contained 

dispute falls (such as the building industry 

What are the advantages of arbitration over 

in the 1996 Arbitration Act relating to 

in the case of a dispute between a landlord 

litigation? 

arbitration that applies to England, Wales 

and his or her general contractor), and (3) an 

First, parties in an international contract 

and Northern Ireland. It consolidates the 

experienced arbitrator. 

can entrust the resolution of their 

existing legislation, introduces various 

The ADR Institute of Canada provides 

dispute to judges of their own choice. This 

reforms and some codification. When 

professional training and sets guidelines. 

is an advantage particularly for parties 

arbitration occurs under U.S. law, either 

There is a two-part correspondence 

who reside in different countries and have 

party to the arbitration may appeal 

programme designed for those with post- 

different cultural and language backgrounds. 

against the arbitrator’s decision at a court. 

secondary education. Lawyers admitted to 

Second, a binding decision, rather than 

However, the court will generally not 

the bar in Canada do not have to complete the 

meticulous legal accuracy, is the preference 

change the arbitrator’s findings of fact 

first part of the course. In fact, a law degree 

of many parties involved in trade. An 

but will decide only whether the arbitrator 

or training in arbitration is not essential. The 

arbitration award is final, while a judgment 

was guilty of malfeasance, or whether the 

twelve lessons comprised in the programme 

of a court may be appealed and re-appealed 

arbitrator exceeded the limits of his or her 

cover concepts and procedures of contract 

so that considerable time lapses before the 

authority in the arbitral award or whether 

and tort law, arbitration acts and procedures, 

matter has been finally determined. Third, 

the award conflicts with positive law. In the 

evidence and court control of arbitration. 

arbitration is confidential; its hearings (if 

case of arbitration under international law, 

there are any) are not open and the pleadings 

a right of appeal does not exist in general, Why is the issue of Svobodová’s arbitration 

are not available for public perusal. In 

although one may be provided for by the practice so important? 

S sensitive matters this is an advantage. 

arbitration agreement, provided that there ince May 2004, the Czech Republic has 

is a court capable of hearing the appeal. become a full EU member state. We are 

Who is eligible for arbitration? 

I 

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) now undergoing integration, ensuring that 

deally, in the sector of international trade, is well established in Canada. The our national laws comply with EU laws, 

the exporter should be aware of this Québec National International Commercial norms and regulations. There has to be an 

option prior to entering into a contract of Arbitration Centre (QNICAC) that was amendment in the national law clarifying 

sale. When the choice is made from the formed in 1986 currently operates as the arbitration in general and the position of 

proceedings available for dispute resolution, Canadian Commercial Arbitration Centre arbitrators per se. Hopefully the Czech 

the parties should insist that a provision (also known as the CCAC or the Centre). Republic will, in time, have its own fully 

clearly specifying the chosen procedure is CCAC is a private, non-profit organization. functioning and reputable court that will 

inserted into the contract. It is a common Its Head Office is located in Québec City deal with sensitive cases. This will expedite 

experience that agreement at this point is and services are also provided from its progress of the proceedings. 

easier than when a dispute has already arisen. Montreal Office. 

By Mgr. Anna Shalina, A.G. 


CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR THE CZECH CHAPTER OF TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 

he Canadian Embassy in Prague and the 

TOpen Society Fund have co-sponsored 

a project undertaken by Transparency 

International Czech Republic (TIC, www. 

transparency.cz) under the title “Transparent 

Government Budgeting”. The objective has 

been to give the public better information 

on public budgeting, because “it is the 

informed individual who can most effectively 

ask questions and demand remedies when 

he/she is not satisfied”, explains Adriana 

Krnáčová, the Executive Director of TIC. 

he project included an analysis of the 

T 

handling of public finances in this 

country which was carried out by Pavel 

Kohout, Aleš Krejdl and Jan Pavel. The 

following text summarizes the content of 

the resulting paper: 

he role of public finance is threefold: 

T 

to secure the basic functioning of the 

country, i.e. internal and external security, 

judiciary, basic public services, etc.; social 

expenditures in the area of education, 

health and welfare; and expenses related to 

macroeconomic stability. The 20th century 

saw an explosion of public expenditures in 

all political regimes, be they democratic, 

dictatorial or totalitarian. The fastest increase 

of expenses were the mandatory ones, 

especially welfare expenses. As all regimes 

strived to please the public, especially lowincome 

groups, in exchange for political 

gain, public expenses kept growing. 

t is easy to increase expenses but 

I 

extremely difficult to decrease them. The 

alternation between left-of-centre and rightof-centre 

governments has not affected this 

pattern. Left-of-centre governments tend 

to increase expenses (though not always). 

Their right-of-centre counterparts almost 

never manage to decrease expenses to the 

original level but merely slow down the 

growth. We have also seen right-of-centre 

governments increase public spending. 

he growth of public expenses in the 

T 

20th century was not combined with 

improved quality in public accounting. 

While corporate accounting standards are 

very strict (and keep getting stricter), publicsector 

accounting remains lax. In most 

countries, public accounting systems date to 

a hundred years ago when government had 

far fewer functions than it has today. There 

are few countries worldwide which maintain a 

public-finance balance, something absolutely 

automatic in the corporate sector. Public 

finance, national as well as multinational 

(EU and other international organizations), 

is thus an easy target for manipulation and 

error through both negligence and intent. 

hen referring to the structure 

W 

of public finance in the Czech 

Republic, the analysis points out the fact 

that the government budget reallocates 

only a part of the total sum and cites the 

following troublesome aspects of Czech 

public finance: 

• Deficient fiscal culture and noncompliance 

with the Act on the Budgetary 

Rules. The process of forming the budget 

suffers from the weak position of the 

Minister of Finance in promoting the 

draft budget within the government and 

from the weak supervisory and control 

powers of Parliament. MPs use a number 

of amendments to compensate for their 

weak position in the negotiating process 

and embark on “dividing the cake” which 

may, in effect, amount to another mode of 

hidden financing of political parties. 

• High mandatory expenses 

• Non-compliance with budgetary rules, 

especially binding expense frameworks 

and statutory periods for drafting of the 

government budget 

• Rules for the creation of reserve funds 

are wide open. Transfers to reserve funds 

show that the chapters systematically 

overestimate their budgetary needs, fail to 

plan properly and are not held accountable 

for their performance and results. 

• Insufficient tools to measure the 

effectiveness of public expenditures 

• Existence of the government funds 

is hard to justify and leads to a 

fragmentation of public budgets 

• Structure of the budget does not 

correspond with the needs of modern 

public-finance management 

• Complex and user-unfriendly budget 

documentation. (No transparent and 

comprehensive information on the 

reasons for a proposed deficit budget 

or its potential impact on the national 

economy, how government priorities 

are reflected in particular revenues and 

expenses, what public services will be 

covered by individual ministries based on 

their allocations, etc.). 

he third part of the analysis focuses 

Ton public finance control in the Czech 

Republic, pointing out that a functioning 

control mechanism serves, to a certain 

extent, as a substitute for the profit-and-loss 

accounting common in the private sector. 

he control system in the Czech Republic 

T 

is built on two pillars: a lay pillar and 

an institutional pillar. Institutional control 

is exercised by organizations which are, 

fully or partially, in the public sector. The 

lower chamber of Parliament is charged 

with supervising proper allocation of the 

budget. The Supreme Audit Office, an 

independent institution, supervises the 

handling of public finances at the central 

level. The Anti-Monopoly Office has a 

complementary task to oversee compliance 

with the Act on Public Procurement. Lay 

control is in the hands of the public, various 

civic associations and NGOs. 

he TIC analysis states that the Czech 

T 

Republic does not yet have an efficient 

control system. Several cases received 

prominent media attention but produced 

no real change. Similarly, the control 

institutions, primarily the Supreme Audit 

Office, have long pointed out the same 

deficiencies and violations. Where there is 

no pressure there is little will to improve the 

status quo. A non-accountable environment 

— together with the non-transparency of the 

budget structure and the incomprehensible 

system of numerous institutions and 

organizations outside the budget — creates 

the best possible background for corruption, 

skimming of public funds, and inefficient 

allocation of financial resources. The 

current problem is not only the absence of 

high-quality legislation, but also the failure 

to enforce existing instruments. 

he analysis recommends a number of 

T 

remedial steps, e.g. to reduce the number 

of involved organizations from outside 

the budget process, initiate a programmefinancing 

reform, improve performance 

audits, and implement a new system of 

public-procurement control. Last but not 

least, the control system should introduce 

personal responsibility and accountability 

for violations and non-compliance. 

SIETAR: CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTES TOWARD PROMOTING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 

IETAR – the Society for Intercultural 

SEducation, Training and Research 

- was created in 1974 by a group of people 

who recognized the need for a professional 

association to coordinate the activities and 

resources of those working in the intercultural 

fields. Since then, the Society has grown 

from 300 to over 3,500 members in 60 

countries, including Canada. Membership 

of SIETAR is comprised of academics, 

researchers, trainers and professionals in the 

intercultural field. Canadian interculturalists 

are grouped in SIETAR British Columbia 

and SIETAR Calgary. 

n recent times SIETAR Europa has 

Ibegun the process of establishing 

stronger links with the European Union 

as well as with NGOs across Europe, 

with the goal of bringing the knowledge 

and experiences of SIETAR members to 

assist the EU, governments and NGOs 

in their work on issues such as migration, 

integration, racism and xenophobia. 

he most recent SIETAR Europa 

T 

congress so far took place in 2005. 

Eight delegates from Canada presented a 

Canadian perspective of communication 

across cultures. The topics that they 

addressed included: tendencies in 

intercultural research; past, present and 

future challenges and opportunities in this 

field; the new Japanese society as a model 

of successful cultural conflict resolution; 

multiple intelligence theory and the role of 

self-reflection in intercultural learning and, 

a young professional’s observations on how 

to make a successful life abroad – something 

that many members of our Chamber have 

accomplished in their own lives. 

n April 25 – 29, 2007, SIETAR Europa 

O 

will hold its next congress in Sofia, 

Bulgaria – the City of Wisdom. Interested 

professionals are warmly invited to take 

part in this event, and to build up links 

with the host country’s businesses, NGOs 

and educational institutions. More at www. 

sietar-europa.org. 

This special initiative has been brought to 

GoCanada’s attention by Eva Gordon-Smith. 


22 

NEW CORPORATE MEMBERS 

AARTKOM s.r.o. 

Address: Staroměstské náměstí 24 

293 01 Mladá Boleslav 


Phone: +420 326 734 793 

Fax: +420 326 734 795 

E-mail: hencl@aartkom.com 

Website: www.aartkom.com 

Contact person: Marek Hencl | Managing Director 

At AARTKOM we provide consulting and 

outsourcing services in the field of Business 

Development, Sales Development, Product 

Management and Project Management. We are experienced in the 

market segment of ICT, where our main focus is to support and 

strengthen our customers in the development of either new services or 

in the expansion of the existing services. Part of our added value is 

increasing the efficiency and transparency of our customers’ operational 

processes. We are ready to provide for you turnkey solutions from 

business case evaluation to completing complex projects and handing 

them over to operations. 

Business Field Management, s.r.o. 

Address: Milady Horákové 14 

370 05 České Budějovice 


Phone: +420 602 408 790, 608 743 737 

Fax: +420 553 773 048 

E-mail: info@bfm.cz 

Website: www.bfm.cz 

Contact persons: Michal Beránek, Bronislav Rovňák 

BFM is a company that specializes in effectiveness 

improvement of enterprises, direct services and other 

establishments. Its work is based on management 

systems implementation, process re-engineering, management training 

and employees motivation for change. The emphasis is on the most 

effective utilization of resources in the client’s operations. BFM is the 

company that provides clients with real and sustainable results in a 

trustworthy and honest manner. 

BUSINESS LEASE s.r.o. 

Address: Radlická 714/113a 

158 00 Praha 5 


Phone: +420 225 778 800 

Fax: +420 225 778 899 

E-mail: info@businesslease.cz 

Website: www.businesslease.cz 

Business Lease provides services in the Czech 

Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary 

with a coordinated approach of Full Service 

Operational Leasing in the Central European region for every brand 

and type of passenger and commercial vehicle. Established in the Czech 

Republic in 1996, Business Lease is a subsidiary of the Business Lease 

Group (Netherlands) – a business entity with long experience with 

anything related to the management of cars and a focus on the best 

individual mobility solutions. 

CONTI PAN, s.r.o. 

Address: Dlouhá 274 

417 42 Krupka 1 - Bohosudov 


Prague office: Kříženeckého nám. 322 

152 00 Praha 5 – Barrandov 


Phone: +420 251 680 770 

Fax: +420 251 680 770 

E-mail: info@contipan.cz 

NEW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS 

Anderová, Eva 

Address: Volutová 2524/12 

150 00 Praha 5 


Phone: +420 251 619 151, 602 274 798 

E-mail: e.anderova@seznam.cz 

Lukas, Stephen 

Address: Karlovo náměstí 3 

120 00 Praha 2 


Phone: +420 224 910 614 

E-mail: stephen.lukas@greenmail.ch 

Navrátil, Martin 

Address: V Jirchářích 146/5 

110 00 Praha 1 


Phone: +420 724 040 342 

Fax: +420 466 304 644 

E-mail: martin.navratil@synpo.cz 

Website: www.synpo.cz 

Pollak, Pavel 

Address: Sušická 609/9 

160 00 Praha 6 


Phone: +420 776 114 911 

E-mail: pavel.pollak@volny.cz 

Website: www.contipan.cz 

Contact person: Henry Tieze 

Since 1994, CONTI PAN has been involved in 

sales and distribution of a variety of products used 

in the building industry in the Czech Republic, the 

Slovak Republic and Austria representing DOW 

Chemical Europe/USA (PLI foam), Swiss Krono Group – Kronopol 

(OSB, DTD, MDF, flooring etc.), NUTECH Energy Systems 

– Canada (Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilations & Furnaces) and 

Olympic Manufacturing Group – USA (fasteners). The company also 

manufactures its own building system, K-Kontrol®. 

Czech Business Club, a.s. 

Address: Aria Hotel 

Tržiště 9 

118 00 Praha 1 


Phone: +420 257 533 733 

Fax: +420 257 533 734 

E-mail: info@czechbusinessclub.cz 

Website: www.czechbusinessclub.cz 

Contact person: Romana Drobíková | President 

Unites the successful. Networking, lobbying, 

support for charity projects. 

GRN – Global Recruiters of Czech Republic 

Address: Platnéřská 6 

110 00 Praha 1 


Phone: +420 221 108 676 (direct) 

+420 222 222 182 

+420 608 816 500 

E-mail: info@grnczech.com 

Website: www.grnczech.com 

Contact person: Michael Rainey | CEO- 

Managing Director 

ORIANA Tours, s.r.o. 

Address: Italská 11 

120 00 Praha 2 


Phone: +420 224 222 693, 224 215 258, 

224 222 428 

Fax: +420 224 218 359 

E-mail: info@oriana.cz 

Website: www.oriana.cz 

Contact person: Jana Smrčková | General Manager 

ORIANA Tours is widely recognized as the premier 

incoming and business trip arrangement company 

in the Czech Republic. With over 12 years in the 

business, we are experienced and knowledgeable to 

handle the complete travel service arrangements of travel groups of all 

sizes. Our professional, multilingual and experienced staff and our 

quality suppliers guarantee all of the services offered. 

Our friendly and personable staff is driven by the desire to provide the 

best service and will help to fulfill your requests, saving you both time 

and money. 

We are members of: ACK (Czech Association of Travel Agencies), 

ASTA (American Society of Travel Agencies), IATA (International 

Air Travel Association) 

Prague City Apartments s.r.o. 

Address: Divadelní 24 

110 00 Praha 1 


Phone: +420 224 990 990, 800 800 722 

Fax: +420 224 990 999 

Gürlich, Robert 

Address: Jihozápadní V 987/6 

141 00 Praha 4 


Phone: +420 603 799 332 

E-mail: Robert.gurlich@ikem.cz 

Maťašovský, Igor 

Address: Lucinková 4 

198 00 Praha 9 


Phone: +420 602 431 781 

E-mail: matasovsky@seznam.cz 

Palečka, Peter 

Address: Jahodová 1565 

252 28 Černošice 


Phone: +420 602 364 711 

Fax: +420 251 643 540 

E-mail: peter_palecka@volny.cz 

Velká, Jana 

Address: Hlubočepská 1113/33F 

152 00 Praha 5 - Hlubočepy 


Phone: +420 603 426 290 

Fax: +420 251 812 681 

E-mail: velka@mbox.vol.cz 

jana.velka@senam.cz 


E-mail: 

Imichalova@prague-city-apartments.cz 

Website: www.prague-city-apartments.cz 

Contact person: Ivana Michalová 

Prague City Apartments s.r.o. is the exclusive 

owner of over 100 fully serviced apartments 

which are located in the most attractive and central locations in 

Prague. Whether you are with us on business, taking a break or 

just stopping over, you will find our rooms welcoming, relaxing and 

fully furnished with every comfort and convenience you could wish 

for. We give you a home-like environment with plenty of space. Our 

serviced apartments are available for stays of any length, from one 

night to several months. We offer our guests studios to three bedroom 

apartments, transfer from the airport to the hotel-residence and 

unlimited high-speed Internet access are included in the total price. 

Ask for special and corporate rates! 

Ross Associates spol. s r.o. 

Address: Horní 210 

Dobřejovice 

251 70 Praha - východ 

Phone: +420 323 637 004 

Fax: +420 323 637 004 

E-mail: david.samwell@ross-security.cz 

Website: www.ross-security.cz 

Contact person: David R. Samwell MBA | Managing 

Director and Owner 

Ross Associates is an independent security 

consultancy with experience ranging from security 

of heads of state to protection of banks, factories and general office 

buildings. We develop total security solutions involving electronic 

systems, manpower and physical protection. Our solutions will be cost 

effective, as well as provide effective security. 

Royal Crafts, s.r.o. 

Address: Luční 225 - Lobkovice 

277 11 Neratovice 


Phone: +420 775 103 931, 775 103 928, 

775 103 930 

E-mail: royalcrafts@seznam.cz 

Website: www.royalcrafts.cz 

Contact person: Marek J. Lopko | Director 

Import of high-quality French wines, wine-based drinks 

and spirits 

Arts and crafts, especially manufacture of replicas 

Vysoká škola finanční a správní, o.p.s. 

Address: Estonská 500 

101 00 Praha 10 


Phone: +420 271 741 597, 210 088 800 

Fax: +420 271 740 871 

E-mail: info@vsfs.cz 

Website: www.vsfs.cz 

Contact person: Dr. Bohuslava Šenkýřová | President 

Vysoká škola finanční a správní (Institute of Finance 

and Administration) is the largest private-owned 

college in the Czech Republic. Located in the heart of 

Europe, the school hosts almost 3500 students across 

its five local study centres. Focus is on Management, 

Public Administration and Marketing and Communication. Taking 

an active part in international relations both in education and 

research meets our objective to accompany our graduates in their career 

development in the 21st century. 

Hanák, Petr 

Address: V Štíhlách 3/1311 

140 00 Praha 4 


Phone: +420 241 726 355 

E-mail: phanak49@seznam.cz 

Mikeska, Stanislav 

Address: Malměřice 16 

441 01 


Phone: +420 415 211 168 

Fax: +420 415 211 168 

E-mail: aplikaceo3@seznam.cz 

Podda, Pietro Andrea 

Address: c/o Manchester 

Metropolitan University 

68 Daisy Bank Road 

Manchester, United Kingdom 

Phone: +420 604 429 973 

E-mail: p.a.podda@mmu.ac.uk

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Banquets, receptions, 

garden garden parties, cocktail parties, 

congresses, presentations, 

weddings and family celebrations 

anywhere in the Czech Republic. 

Full service service from from choice of venue, 

transport, transport, catering catering programme 

programme 

to other other related related services. 

services. 

GASTRO �OFÍN, s.r.o. 

The exclusive provider of catering services at �ofín palace. 

The exclusive lessor of the Zbiroh castle. 

Catering services in the whole of the Czech Republic. 

�ofín 226, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic 

mobile.: +420 602 343 518 

tel./fax: +420 224 932 952 

e-mail: gastrozofin@gastrozofin.cz 

www.gastrozofin.cz, www.zbiroh.com

If you LIKED our 

rooms before, you'll 

LOVE them now!!! 

Come to experience Crystal 

Moments with our new rooms: 

- Stylish and innovative decor 

with unique crystal elements 

- New LCD TV screens 

- High speed internet access 

- Great new communication 

package (movies and music 

on demand, internet via TV) 

- Comfortable and luxurious 

bedding 

Prague Marriott Hotel 

V Celnici 8, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic 

Phone: +420 222 888 888 

Fax: +420 222 888 889 

E-mail: prague.reservations@marriotthotels.com 

www.marriottprague.com

2007 (Issue 1 of 2) - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the ...

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