May 09, 2012
The Code of Ethics for public officials and public administration employees approved by the Government
On 9 May 2012 the Government approved the Code of Ethics for public officials and public administration employees by the Ministry of the Interior, which is a part of government´s strategy against corruption. The aim of the Code is not only minimize corruption, but also ensure clearer competences and rules for public officials and public administration employees in which situations they might get into private sector-public interest conflict and how to react. Moreover it defines the standards of professional behavior of an employee in relationship to public and to other employees.
The press release and full version of the Code of Ethics in Czech you can find here.
May 07, 2012
EU and USA agree to recognise each other's ´trusted traders´
An important step was made in the trade relationship between the EU and the U.S. Under the agreement the EU and the U.S. will recognize all the companies certified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) in the EU. AEOs in the EU will receive benefits when exporting to the US market, and the EU will reciprocate for certified members of the US Customs-Trade Partnership against terrorism (C-TPAT). Mutual recognition will enable the companies to benefit from faster controls and reduced administration for customs clearance. The agreement will come into force on 1 July 2012.
April 30, 2012
Open Government Partnership – the Action Plan approved by the Czech Government
OGP is an international initiative by the US administration to support effective, transparent and accountable governments and its state administration. Since September 8 founding governments together with 47 governments joined the OGP. The Action Plan of the Czech Republic was approved on April 4 and reacts on a need to improve access to data, improve effectivity of the state administration and encourages public participation in decision-making processes at national level.
April 20, 2012
Press release of the Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy on ´Reciprocal Procurement of Defense Equipment and Services Agreement´
The Czech Minister of Defense Alexandr Vondra and the U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed a ´Reciprocal Procurement of Defense Equipment and Services Agreement´ on April 18. The agreement is very significant for Czech defense industry companies, which can apply directly for public contracts by the U.S. Department of Defense. Czech firms could only be subcontractors for U.S. enterprises so far. The document entered into force upon signature. The press release in Czech you can find on the pages of the Ministry of Defense here and the full text of the agreements also in Czech and English and other information you can find on the pages of the U.S. Embassy here.
March 16, 2012
AmCham Best Regulator 2012 Survey
The AmCham Best Regulator Project facilitates discussion and interaction between regulators and regulated entities in the Czech Republic with the aim to develop high quality markets regulation. The questions to be answered by the project are: 1. What is important for each participating regulator to communicate to their clients in order to gain their respect? 2. How do regulatory activites influence the business community / regulated entities and in which aspects, in the clients’ view, could these activities be improved? Take a couple of minutes for our AmCham Best Regulator 2012 Survey to help us answer the second question. The survey will be available until March 30, 2012.
March 16, 2012
Press release of the Ministry of Labor on Recent Business Migration Issues
Regional Employment Offices will consider seasonal and long-term economic needs of individual employers when issuing and extending work permits for 3rd country nationals. Should a refusal to issue or extend a work permit for a 3rd country national cause serious economic damage to the employer or should it lead to further job cuts, the Employment Office will issue or extend the work permit. The press release in Czech is available here.
March 09, 2012
AmCham letter to Ministry of Labor on Employment of Specialists – non-EU Nationals
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs introduced recently new measures related to the employment of foreigners-3rd country nationals that increase administrative burden on businesses. A letter explaining the impact of the newly introduced measures on the business community is available. The Czech Radio program covering the topic, including AmCham position (Weston Stacey) is available here.
March 08, 2012
Updated: Outcomes of AmCham 7th Regional Tax Conference
On March 6 AmCham Czech Republic held the 7th Regional Tax Conference followed by the Leadership Cocktail. Key issue of this year´s tax conference was crisis and its impact on reforms. Speakers agreed that the crisis in Europe has shone a bright light on the importance of tax. Not just rates are important, but the ability to collect taxes of any kind at any level is crucial. Tax system doesn´t work if the government is not able to persuade its citizens to pay their required share, and cant´t prevent corruption within the ranks of its tax collectors. Governments across Europe are being challenged by citizens about who pays and who benefits from their existing system.
February 10, 2012
Minutes of Discussion on Smart Migration with Ministerial Representatives
Bellow you will find attached minutes of the February 2 discussion with representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on new migration legislation and a new project of smart immigration for managers and specialists from non-EU countries administered by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
February 03, 2012
Chamber of Deputies Greenlight Public Procurement Reform
On January 31, the Chamber of Deputies rejected the Senate’s changing proposals to draft amendment to the Public Procurement Act related to ownership transparency and passed the reform version approved in November 2011. Press release of the Platform for Transparent Public Tenders follows. The Platform for Transparent Public Tenders believes the reform of public procurement passed by the Chamber of Deputies today represents major progress in the effort to achieve effective and transparent public procurement in the country. The Platform applauds the politicians, government officials, business and civic associations, and independent experts who worked together for more than a year to craft the best possible reform.
