Sales Offshore - Countries Available - Europe

Since the fall of The Wall and the independence of the Czech Republic, the country has moved forward by leaps and bounds. Free market spirit and capitalism abound. Not surprisingly, very large numbers of expats have relocated there.

Located in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe that borders Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east, and Austria to the south. The country is comprised of three regions: Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia.

With a population of more than ten million, the Czech Republic measures up – in terms of populace - to other medium-sized European nations, such as Hungary and Austria. The nation covers close to 80 thousand square kilometres.

A captivating country situated at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Czech Republic enjoys a thriving and stable community that reflects a broad range of cultural, religious and political influences.

The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999, and has been an EU member since May 1, 2004.

Since the separation of the Czech and Slovak republics in the early 1990s, the country has rapidly moved toward Western-style models of political and economic reforms, and is currently one of the most affluent of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Its recent accession to the EU, along with its central location, provides an ideal environment for foreign trade and business investment opportunities.

Economy

One of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist nations, the Czech Republic has witnessed significant growth, led by increased foreign investment and exports to the European Union – most especially Germany.

The Czech Republic has one of the highest per capita GDPs of all Central and East European transition economies – second only to Slovenia.

Among the nation’s investment incentives:

Corporate tax relief for up to ten years;
Zero customs duty on imported equipment;
Beneficial VAT registration arrangements;
Special job creation grants of up to US$3,300 per Czech citizen employed in designated areas;
Job training grants of up to 50% of the total training and re-training costs;
Provision of low-cost development land.

In addition, the Czech government offers businesses a location in a customs-free zone, providing the investment is deemed to offer a long-term benefit for the country.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Czech Republic doubled from 2004 to 2005, from US$4.9 billion to US$11 billion.

Doing Business in the Czech Republic

The country boasts a long list of advantages with regards to doing business there. Among them:

One of the highest per capita GDPs among Central and Eastern European countries;
Access to European Markets, with close to 100 million consumers throughout Central and Eastern Europe, and about 400 million consumers in the European Union;
Strategic Location, located in the centre of Europe, at the crossroads between East and West;
Skilled Labour, with a technically-skilled and innovative labour force;
Developed Infrastructure, including one of the most dense networks of roads, railroads, pipes, and telephone lines in Europe;
Liberal Economy: According to the 1999 Index of Economic Freedom, published by the Wall Street Journal, the Czech Republic is “the 12th most open and liberal economy in the world, securing free transfer of capital and profits.”
Political Stability

The positive business outlook was further underscored in June 2006, when the country announced that major technology firms, including Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba and Hewlett-Packard are investing millions of euros - and creating close to 2,000 jobs - in new production facilities in the central European nation.

At the same time, Hewlett-Packard also announced the grand opening of its Czech-based computer technology supply chain headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The new facility, near Prague, supports the company’s European headquarters in France.

Have Fun, Too

But don’t think that the Czech Republic provides an all-work-and-no-play environment. The country features some of the best leisure pursuits – from the tamest to the most thrilling.

The Czech Republic is renowned as the country of origin for Pilsner beer, and is equally well-known for its appealing and stunning cities. Prague, in particular, is a fascinating city. In addition, the small Czech villages, where time is at a virtual standstill, are a must-visit for expats and tourists.

The magnificent city of Prague, the country’s capital and largest city, is the primary expat attraction. Other major cities include Brno, Ostrava, Zlín, Plzen, Pardubice, Ceské Budejovice, Liberec, Olomouc, and Ústí nad Labem.

Also, the spa towns such as Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne are particularly popular destinations. Other popular sites are the many castles and chateaux, such as those at Karlštejn, Pernštejn and Ceský Krumlov. For those who are drawn toward outdoor pursuits, areas such Ceský Ráj, Šumava and the Krkonoše are perfect. Another great area for outdoor activities is Pardubice, where the terrain ranges from very flat to vastly hilly.

In addition, don’t miss the country’s man-made bathing lakes; glorious national parks with mountains, lakes and rivers; cultural and historical sights, as well as the available leisure activities – which run the gamut.

The country offers a First World working and living environment - at Third World prices.

Czech has it all – so, check it out!

For further information about Czech Republic we recommend that you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic where you will find many useful links and informative articles to prepare you for your move.