Advocacy team identifies and responds to issues of concern to the business community that can be resolved by a legislative & regulatory change. Based on members input, we comment and propose new laws, amendments or position papers and advocate them with the Government, Ministries and Parliament. Among our major past successes are the new Insolvency Act, the Commercial Registry reform, capping the Social Security Contributions and Amendment to Act on Public Procurement. According to AmCham Action Plan we are currently working on Threshold City Project, which focuses on turning the Prague’s potential as an economic threshold into a reality. This project has four main pathways: Research and Development, Company Headquarters, Healthcare, Tourism. Every Monday Policy Pipeline is issued, where current policy news in the Czech Republic, EU an US&Globe are listed.
May 10, 2013
Draft Act on entry and stay of foreigners in the Czech Repubic - comments requested by May 25
Ministry of Interior prepared the Draft Act on entry and stay of foreigners in the Czech Repubic. The main objective of the new legislation is to create a easier, more compact and user-transparent legal standards in the areas of entry and residence of foreigners in the Czech Republic. The proposal is in ongoing external comentary procedure and AmCham members are invited to send comments by May 25. The documents are enclosed (available under your company username and password).
April 29, 2013
Survey Request: eHealth Questionaire by May 31
The AmCham is conducting its eHealth Questionnaire for the Czech Republic 2013. You are welcome to deliver your answers and improve the knowledge of eHealth environment. The results of the survey will be delivered to Ministry of Health Care. The survey consists of 7 questions. All answers will be confidential and results will be used only in aggregate. We would greatly appreciate if you would 1) complete the survey as soon as possible and 2) sending/asking your business partners to also complete it. The deadline for completing the survey is May 31.
April 29, 2013
Minutes from Labor Code&Social Affairs Committee on April 24
AmCham Labor Code&Social Affairs Committee met on April 24 to discuss current news in legislation, past&upcoming plans and activities - Civil Code Series, Business Immigration+EU News, Future of...Series and Best Office publication 2013. Next activity of LCSAC is Civil Code Series: New Civil Code and its impact into Labour Law on June 19. The minutes of the meeting you can find attached (available under username and password). Next meeting of LCSAC will take place on June 5, 2013 at AmCham offices.
April 24, 2013
Amendment to Act on Public Procurement - comments requested by May 24
Ministry of Regional Development prepared an amendment of the Act on Public Procurement, which came into force on April 1, 2012. This is the ´technical´amendment, which would help to eliminate the problematic interpretation in practice. The proposal is in ongoing external comentary procedure and AmCham members are invited to send comments by May 24. The documents are enclosed (available under your company username and password).
April 24, 2013
Amendment to the Employment Act - comments requested by May 24
Amendment to the Employment Act prepared by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is in ongoing external comentary procedure. The main aims are to lower the administrative barriers for employers, support the employment disabled people and švarcsystem adjustment in the area of employment. AmCham members are invited to send comments by May 24. The documents are enclosed (available under your company username and password).
April 16, 2013
Draft Act on Cyber Security - comments requested by May 15
The draft Act on Cyber Security was submitted by National Security Authority. The aim of the draft act is to establish mechanism of active cooperation between the private sector and public administration sector to achieve more efficient solutions to cyber security incidents and to improve cyber security space in the Czech Republic. The proposal is in ongoing external comentary procedure and AmCham members are invited to send comments by May 15. The documents are enclosed (available under your company username and password).
April 16, 2013
Project Welcome Package by CzechInvest and Ministry of Trade and Industry to comment by April 19
AmCham members are welcome to send comments to project Welcome Package prepared by CzechInvest and Ministry of Trade and Industry by April 19. The aim of project is to streamline the procedure for entry and employment of foreign high-skilled workers - nationals of third countries, who are exempt for a period of 90 days from the visa permit within EU member states and who need to obtain necessary permits (residence, work) as quickly as possible. The another aim of the project is to create an environment-friendly visa process to potential investors, encourage foreign direct investment and increase the competitiveness of the Czech Republic. The document is enclosed (available under your company username and password). Contact person: Veronika Szentiványiová, veronika@amcham.cz.
April 08, 2013
Future of regulation of lobbying in the Czech Republic
Information about future of lobbying was submitted to external comentary procedure by Vice Prime Minister and Chairman of Government Committee for anti-corruption coordination. The Government agreed to stop preparation of Act on Lobbying on Wednesday, January 15. The main reason of cancellation is a dispute what the Act should include and how to cover the topic. Instead of the Act other measuremnets should be implemented. The proposal is in ongoing comentary procedure and AmCham members are invited to send comments by April 19. The documents are enclosed.
April 03, 2013
Report of the implementation of economical measures in the area of simplification of agendas and duplicity abolition in the state administration for 2014
On April 3, the Government discussed the Report of the implementation of economical measures in the area of simplification of agendas and duplicity abolition in the state administration for 2014. It was presented by Petr Mlsna, Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Government. It follows the first round of ecomonical measures adopted by the Government in January 2013. The draft has 5 projects (above ministries), the timing and content of individual steps will be elaborated in the next months. The documents are enclosed.
March 26, 2013
Outcomes of the Conference on Immigration of highly skilled workforce and new Act on entry and stay of foreigners in the Czech Repubic by Ministry of Interior
On March 26, 2013 the Conference under auspices of Jan Kubice, Minister of Interior took place in Prague. Presentations and discussion was moderated by Tomáš Haišman, Director of the Asylum and Migration Policy Department and Pavla Novotná, Department Manager of conception and analysis of the Asylum and Migration Policy Department . Currently internal commentary procedure is finished, external comentary procedure begins in about 3-4 weeks. AmCham members will be informed and invited to send comments, when the Act will be available. For more information about the Act click here.
March 19, 2013
Position Paper on Data Protection Finalized
Position Paper on Data Protection (EU General Data Protection Regulation) was finalized by group of experts within AmCham members. Special acknowledgements go to Stanislav Bednář, Peterka&Partners, Václav Mach, Microsoft and Allen Overy, Deloitte Legal, Kinstellar, IBM, Philip Morris, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Telefonica. The finalized document will be presented to relevant ministries and public officials. The Paper in Czech is attached bellow (under your company name and password). Read the article about the importance of Data Protection issue here. For more information contact us at veronika@amcham.cz.
March 15, 2013
Best Cooperation of the Year 2013 - partnership proposal
AmCham and AFI prepare the third annual presentation of the Cooperation of the Year awards in the area of cooperation between the research and application spheres leading to innovations and successful transfers of technologies and knowledge. The strategic partner of the project is the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.
We would like to offer you a possibility of partnership cooperation at this unique project. Please, find more details on the competition and possibilities for participation attached. More information at veronika@amcham.cz.
March 07, 2013
Minutes from Labor Code&Social Affairs Committee on March 7
AmCham Labor Code&Social Affairs Committee met on March 7 to discuss past, upcoming plans and activities - Civil Code Series, Business Immigration+EU News, Future of...Series confribution and Best Office publication 2013: Overal Theme Future of Work. Next activity of LCSAC is discussion on Practical Aspects of Schwarzsystem with Jaroslav Stádník and Jitka Hejduková on March 22. The minutes of the meeting and other documents you can find attached (available under username and password). Next meeting of LCSAC will take place on April 24, 2013 at AmCham offices.
March 06, 2013
Outcomes from Regional Tax Conference - Future of Tax Collection in CEE in Bratislava
On March 5, 2013 an annual Regional Tax Conference - Future of Tax Collection in CEE (under the auspices of Minister of Finance in SR) organized by AmCham in CEE region was held in Bratislava. The keynote speech was delivered by Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia. Video from press briefing can be found here and article about his speech you can find here. AmCham in the Czech Republic was represented by Peter Chrenko, Chairman of Tax Committee. His interview for Pravda is available here. Interview of Martin Diviš about tax issues in the Czech Republic is available here. At the conference spoke also Jiří Žežulka, Director for Risk Management in Tax Administration of General Financial Directorate in the Czech Republic. His interview on TV can be found here. Presentations of other speakers are available here (under Documents). A summarizing article about the conference you can read here. Next year´s 9th Regional Tax Conference will take place in Warsava at the beginning of March.
March 04, 2013
Strategy of Regional Development for the period 2014-2020
Ministry for Regional Development prepared the Strategy of Regional Development for the period 2014-2020. Its content includes definition of operational programs and the next steps in the preparation of the Czech Republic for the efficient use of European funds and other relevant conceptual materials and documents of central and local administrative authorities. The Strategy aims to connect perspectives and approaches to balance regional development and territorial cohesion. The Strategy contains also problem areas and priorities, that will be pursued in the implementation of regional development policy in the Czech Republic. The relevant documents are attached.
March 01, 2013
The Government decided new Civil Code to come into force from January 1, 2014
At the beginning of February the Governement started to talk about possibility of postponement of new Civil Code to 2015, but not as a mandatory decision. After its meeting on February 27 the Government decided new Civil Code to come into force from January 1, 2014 and effectiveness of single collection point from January 1, 2015. AmCham´s Civil Code Series (series of events focused on the implementation of new Civil Code, news, examples of practical aspects - the current situation in comparison with future standards) will continue according to original plan. Please follow our Activities schedule or Labor Code and Social Affairs Committee minutes.
February 26, 2013
Updated version of National Research, Development and Innovation Policy of the Czech Republic for the period 2009-2015 with the view to 2020
Council for Research, Development and Innovation approved the National Policy for 2009 - 2015 (with the view to year 2020) its last session on February 22, 2013. Currently is this material (enclosed below) in internal commentary procedure with deadline by March 5, 2013. The main aim of the strategy is to reinforce the importance of innovation and use of cutting-edge technologies as resources for long-term economic growth. The document includes plan for improving competitiveness through innovation based on knowledge and is coordinated with the recommendations of the strategic documents of European Union.
February 21, 2013
Directive on electronic auction by Ministry of Regional Development
The Ministry of Regional Development has proposed the Directive of the Compulsory Electronic Auction List. The Directive regulates the process of purchasing consumer goods by public demander. The aim of the Directive is to apply economies of scale and by competing in real time to get better price for goods. The public accessibility of the electronic auction is the side-effect of the Directive. According to the Ministry, the public sector should spare approximately 1 billion CZK. The Ministry intends to catalogue the list of consumer goods in collaboration with other Ministries.
AmCham members are invited to send comments to ongoing internal commentary procedure. The deadline is February 28. More information.
February 13, 2013
President Obama endorses free trade agreement with EU
During his State of the Union address to Congress on February 13, President Barack Obama endorsed a free trade agreement with the European Union. Such an agreement has been a US Chamber priority for the past two years, and is viewed by many economic experts as a fundamental and long-term way to generate economic growth both in Europe and in the USA. Earlier this week, a high-level working group of government and business officials from both sides of the Atlantic issued its final report on the content and shape of such an agreement. AmChams across Europe will be advocating national governments to support this initiative as way to sustain economic recovery and stir more innovation in what is already the largest trading relationship in history.
February 12, 2013
Survey on the cross-border transfers of registered offices of companies by EC (the EU Single Market Policy)
The purpose of the survey is to get more in-depth information on the costs currently faced by companies transferring their registered offices abroad and on the range of benefits that could be brought by the EU action on the cross-border transfer of them. The responses will be taken into account in assessing the need for and impact of a possible new instrument. The deadline for submitting your answers is April 14. The survey in Czech is enclosed. More information and survey in English you can find here.
February 11, 2013
The National Action Plan promoting positive aging for the period 2013-2017 by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Enclosed you can find the National Action Plan promoting positive aging for the period 2013-2017 by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which was submitted to the Government for discussion. The plan identifies following priorities: securing and protection of human rights of elder person; lifelong learning; employment of elder workers and seniors in relation with the pension insurance; volunteering and intergenerational cooperation; high-quality life environment for seniors; healthy aging; limited seniors self-sufficiency care. More information you can find here.
February 07, 2013
Council on Czech Competiveness – New interviews with health care policymakers
On web page www.czechcompete.cz you can newly read new interviews with Boris Štastný (Chairman of Heath Care Committee, Chamber of Deputies), Tomáš Zima (Vicedean, 1. Faculty of Medicine, Charles University), Lukáš Matýsek (Spokesperson FN Královské Vinohrady). For more information (not only about health care) check our Policy Pipeline (updated every Monday by 9am), which monitors economic policy development in the Czech Republic, EU, USA and globally.
February 07, 2013
Possibility of posponement of New Civil Code to 2015
The Governement started to talk about possibility of postponement of new Civil Code to 2015, but not as a mandatory decision. The discussion will continue in next months. Ministry of Justice still counts with the original plan new Civil Code to come into force in January 2014, but with upcoming elections there is newly a option of indefinite deferment of Civil Code by ČSSD, which does not support the current proposal.
January 31, 2013
Draft Position Paper on Data Protection by AmCham - comments requested by February 8
AmCham members are invited to submit their comments to Draft Position Paper on Data Protection (EU General Data Protection Regulation). The finalized document will be presented to public officials. The draft in Czech is attached bellow (under your company name and password). Deadline for sending your comments is February 8, 2013. Read the article about the importance of Data Protection issue here. For more information contact us at veronika@amcham.cz.
January 29, 2013
Draft Act Amending the Tax Acts - comments requested by February 18
Due to ongoing external commentary procedure in Ministry of Finance on Draft Act amending the tax acts in connection with the recodification of Civil Code and other related changes (Návrh zákona o změně daňových zákonů v souvislosti s rekodifikací soukromého práva hmotného a dalších souvisejících změnách) comments of AmCham members are expected by February 18, 2013. Please contact us at veronika@amcham.cz to receive background materials.