BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 12. Czech Republic
considers Azerbaijan one of its key regional partners and is
interested in expanding cooperation with the country while using it
as a hub for accessing other markets in the region, Radek Špicar,
Vice President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech
Republic, told Trend
in an interview on Monday during the Azerbaijan-Czechia Business
Forum in Baku.
According to him, the strong relations and intensive cooperation
between the two countries are rooted in historical ties dating back
many years, including the period of Czechoslovakia. These ties are
reflected both in products exported from Azerbaijan to the Czech
Republic and in Czech exporters' efforts to expand their presence
in the Azerbaijani market.
“We see Azerbaijan as a key partner in the region. Our goal is
not only to strengthen bilateral cooperation but also to consider
Azerbaijan an important hub for expanding our activities across the
region,” Špicar said.
He praised Azerbaijan's economic development and the structural
transformation of its economy. According to him, the country's
shift from an economy based on oil production toward industry and
services that generate higher added value creates opportunities for
cooperation with the Czech Republic.
“The transformation of Azerbaijan's economy and the development
of higher-tech industrial and service sectors are noteworthy. The
Czech Republic wants to be Azerbaijan's partner in this process,”
he emphasized.
Špicar noted that the Czech Republic is one of the European
Union's most industrialized economies and has extensive experience
in transport. This includes manufacturing metro trains, railway
vehicles, trams and buses, as well as constructing railways,
airports and airfields.
According to him, Czech companies are not focused solely on
exporting products. They are interested in establishing joint
ventures with local partners in Azerbaijan, developing businesses
together, training local workers and building long-term
partnerships.
“For Czech companies, it is important not only to sell products
but also to work with local partners, establish joint ventures,
contribute to training local personnel and provide long-term
support. We attach particular importance to quality, maintenance
and the sustainability of cooperation,” the vice president
said.
He also described the development of the Middle Corridor as an
important area of cooperation between the two countries. According
to Špicar, the project is of strategic importance, and the Czech
Republic is interested in participating in its development to
expand its partnership with Azerbaijan.
The vice president added that increasing the number of direct
flights between Baku and Prague would also be important for further
strengthening economic ties. In his view, better transport
connectivity would facilitate business contacts and create new
opportunities for cooperation between companies.
Špicar noted that while Azerbaijan is strengthening its role as
a regional business hub, the Czech Republic could also serve as a
gateway for Azerbaijani companies seeking access to the EU market
and opportunities to expand their operations in the region.
“The industrial potential and geographical location of both
countries create favorable opportunities for expanding cooperation.
The main goal is to use these opportunities to build long-term
partnerships and ensure mutual economic benefits,” he said.
Špicar stated that Czech companies operate not only in the
European Union but also in the United States, Southeast Asia, Latin
America and Africa. According to him, Czech Republic's industrial
traditions enable its companies to compete in diverse markets and
offer high-quality products and services.
“Our companies compete not only in the European market but also
in the world's most demanding markets. They offer high-quality
products and maintain their positions in international markets,” he
noted.
According to the vice president, Czech companies have experience
in manufacturing transport equipment and defense industry products,
as well as implementing projects such as airport construction in
challenging geographical conditions. The Czech Republic is also
among the countries capable of designing and manufacturing aircraft
throughout the entire production cycle.
He attributed the success of Czech companies to the high quality
of their products, favorable price-to-quality ratios, cooperation
with local partners and after-sales services.
“One of the main reasons for our companies' success is their
ability to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. We
also attach great importance to cooperation with local partners,
the establishment of joint ventures and the training of local
personnel. Customer service is another priority for us,” Špicar
said.
He added that expanding cooperation in heavy machinery,
transport, information technology, the automotive industry and
chemicals could create new opportunities for Azerbaijani and Czech
companies.
Špicar also said that his organization had received numerous
requests from companies wishing to visit Azerbaijan as part of the
business delegation. However, limited seating on the government
aircraft made it impossible to include all interested companies in
the delegation.
“We received many requests from companies wishing to come to
Azerbaijan and join this business delegation. Unfortunately, the
number of seats on the government aircraft was limited, so we could
not include all the companies,” he emphasized.
According to the vice president, strengthening direct contacts
between business communities, establishing joint ventures and
building long-term partnerships will help deepen economic
cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic and
facilitate mutually beneficial projects.
