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Doing business & staying in touch

Czech society is still largely male-dominated, with a large proportion of older businessmen. Dress is conservative for older businesses, while new companies tend to be more relaxed. English is widely spoken, particularly amongst the younger generation, but it is a good idea to check if an interpreter will be needed in advance.

By and large, the Czechs are a warm people who greatly value hospitality. In some instances, when dining with Czech business colleagues, it will emerge that the bill has quietly been settled. If this happens, business visitors should accept gracefully (considering the disparity in Czech and Western wages, this may also be a matter of personal pride) and try to find some later means of showing appreciation.

Initial business meetings can often be quite serious affairs, during which even business partners refer to each other by title and surname. The use of forenames is a mark of friendship; however, using them without permission is seen as demeaning. Degrees are considered important and should always be used in addressing correspondence (only the doctorate is used in direct address).

Office hours are generally Monday to Friday 0830-1700 and punctuality is essential - colleagues should be informed of any unavoidable delays. Avoid visits during July and August as many businesses close for holidays.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Economy: 

Years of stringent state control and public ownership during Soviet times took its toll on the economy of the former Czechoslovakia, and caused the economy of the new Czech Republic to flounder and fall into recession in 1998. Less than a decade later the country is reaping the benefits of an aggressive reform policy, which included a programme of mass privatisation (the majority of economic input is now in private hands) and a major overhaul of the country's financial system.

The Czech Republic's membership of the IMF, World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and, of course, the European Union, has given the economy a further boost, with the country strengthening trading relationships within the EU. No longer does it rely on trade with Russia - instead Germany is its biggest export and import partner.

Prague is the country's main conference venue with a dedicated Congress Centre and a host of higher-grade hotels with meeting facilities. There are also facilities in many hotels throughout the country. Trade fairs are held in Brno.

GDP: 

US$230 billion (2007).

Main exports: 

Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and raw materials.

Main imports: 

Machinery and transport equipment, raw materials, fuels and chemicals.

Main trading partners: 

Germany, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Poland and Russia.

Staying in touch in Czech Republic

Telephone: 

There are plenty of public telephone booths; international calls can be made from any of them. Most of the public telephone booths take phonecards, which can be purchased at hotels, tourist information offices, newsagents and tobacconist shops. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels.

Mobile phone: 

The Czech Republic uses the GSM 900 system, and is 3G compatible. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent.

Internet: 

There are lots of Internet cafes in Prague and other cities.

Post: 

Airmail takes a couple of days to reach other European destinations; allow up to a week to North America.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0800-1800, 0800-1200 Sat.

Media: 

Private media in the Czech Republic mushroomed in the 1990s, and private radio and TV stations provide stiff competition for public broadcasters. Public TV broadcaster Česká Televize (CT) operates two networks and a 24-hour news channel. Czech public radio, Český Rozhlas (CRo), operates three national networks as well as local services. Two major private television channels broadcast nationally and there are more than 70 private radio stations.The Prague Post newspaper and Czech Business Weekly magazine (both weekly) are published in English, while the main Czech dailies include Mladá Fronta Dnes, Právo and Lidové Noviny. Radio Prague has programmes in a number of languages including English.

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