AmCham in Brief

“The travel industry has a long trek to recovery. Tourism is an essential wealth creation industry for the country, and we need to keep as much of our existing infrastructure, such as hotel rooms, as we can so that we can start generating revenue quickly once the pandemic ends. The lull in travel is also an opportunity to increase how much money tourist spend by improving our offer.”

"Having served on the AmCham board and as its President, I have direct experience on how business associations can serve as a voice of economic reason and how important that voice is in a world increasingly nervous about the future. I will continue to make attracting value-added investments my priority, as well as engaging with political decisionmakers and social influencers about the country‘s direction."

“We want to be an innovative economy. Innovation requires higher and more frequent risk-taking for companies, for universities, and for the government. We need to make smart big bets on what technologies can transform industries, and then also be flexible in how we execute. The path to progress often zigs where it is supposed to zag, and we need to be ready for that so that the inevitable unexpected does not derail us.”

"Over the next two years I would like to devote my energy to three areas:

1. Contribute to revive Prague’s hospitality, convention event & food & beverage industries in the “new normal“

2. Help to increase the level of Czech Republic´s attractiveness for retaining the best brains in service excellence, innovation & digitalisation as the foundation for the future.

3. Hold discussions among AmCham leaders about the responsibility of business to lead in solving some of the challenges threatening our path to a better society."

“We haven’t been living through a plague, to be sure, but some of the same rules, emotions and laws of nature apply as though we were. Regardless of whether a third wave comes or life gets back to something we soon come to call normal, we’ll need some common decency to get through it in one piece.”

“We need to work to assure Prague’s future as a hub of major corporate headquarters and business service hubs, and to engage the government and other key stakeholders on how to shape a secure energy future.”

“I will support the promotion of the technology sector and champion contemporary working practices and diversity within the country.”

"As a Board member, I would like to build upon more than two decades of work of previous managing partners of KPMG in contributing to AmCham active role in enhancing the local business environment. AmCham has a strong record of achievement and KPMG is proud to have been an active member. Our contributions have included, in particular, the very active involvement of my predecessors, Jan Žůrek, František Dostálek and Charles Randolph in the area of tax policy, sustainable development, and good government.

As a lawyer by background, I intend in particular to focus on the legal and tax reforms of the new government and their impact on the business environment. I would also like to continue to strongly support development of transparency and ethics in the Czech business and public environment. Government and the public sector in general remains far from efficient and operates below its potential. I am convinced that AmCham as an independent, reputable and respected representative of the business community can play a key role in promoting best practice in this area."

“AmCham should work to influence the development of an “innovative economy” – economy with advanced and high quality production. I also believe in even distribution of the economy, as well research activity to promote development of regions.”

“We are going to come out of the crisis with more debt and radically altered economic behavior from the restrictions. We will see what impact that will have on currencies and investment.”

“Smart technology is one of the promising ways to tackle current and long running challenges, ranging from Covid-19 pandemics to reversing climate change and providing clean energy and water supply. That will ensure the well-being of the Czech and global society as a result.”

“We have been living in times that will try and define us. In Camus’ The Plague, a character declares that the only good response to the disease is decency. We haven’t been living through a plague fortunately, but some of the implications, emotions and laws of nature apply as though we were. Regardless of whether we will be facing more adversity from current pandemic till our life gets back to a new normal, what is certain is that we will benefit from having a shared purpose and joint work to get through it with minimum negative impact.

Since its start in 1992, AmCham has been providing a great platform to drive positive impact in the market, and I would be proud to contribute in this endeavor as a member of the board of directors.“

"Manufacturing in the Czech Republic faces a major transition. As compensation climbs, production lines will need to become more efficient and more productive. Global commodity prices will disrupt supply chains, and an increased political volatility may disrupt it even more. New technologies, such as additive manufacturing, can enable producers to innovate their way around some obstacles.

As a board member, I will continue to help identify trends, and promote solutions that will keep the Czech manufacturing globally competitive."

"Workforce is the major challenge and the major opportunity for the Czech Republic. We need utilize immigration to drive Czech income growth, and provide greater economic security. At the same time, our education system needs to adjust to the reality that automation will completely change the type of jobs in the market.

I would like AmCham to help the government put the country ahead of the curve of technological change."

“AmCham always has pursued policies and investments that will help the Czech Republic increase GDP per capita by 60% by 2025. The pandemic not only puts that goal in doubt, but may change some fundamental aspects of the global and Czech economy.”

"AmCham aims to continuously improve competitiveness of the Czech Republic. However, dynamic evolution of the business environment and technologies drive major changes. This has been confirmed by a European Commission report which estimates that in the near future, 90% of jobs will require some level of digital skills.

I participated in the presentation of the new innovation strategy at the US Chamber in Washington. Its implementation will be one of my priorities. My focus will be on attracting strategic research investments, assisting Czech tech start-ups to succeed on the US market, and ensuring we digitize our society securely. I believe that AmCham is the right platform to support improvements in education and security – two key drivers of business grow." 

"For several years I participate in the AmCham activities, supporting initiatives and events. As a Board member, I would be honored to serve the continuous success of AmCham and its members. I would like to engage in topics of Technology Development and Innovation.

I am also interested in the Prague-Brno economic development as tech hubs. A further interest is the growth of Aerospace, Warehouse and Health Care Industry. Another focus of mine is growing the regional/HGR development from a global corporate perspective.

With my experience, I am ready to support AmCham´s position as a valuable partner to regional businesses and state authorities."