AmCham in Brief

Focus area: Technology

Board Mission:

As a company, we believe the next wave of this country's growth depends on larger and more effective investment into research and development. I want to use our recent experience to help shape policies to increase the proportion of private research investment to public research investment, and to share best practices among high tech manufacturers so that the country's manufacturing capabilities are among the best in Europe.

AmCham Priority:

• Effective R&D collaboration between industry & academic sphere

• Transformation of Czech economy from low-value assy operations into high-value research & mfg .

• Lack of high-skilled labor force 

Focus area: Technology

Board Mission:

"I see Czech Republic as a country of innovative, courageous, skillful and hard working people. We have been facing challenges and risks, longterm and recent and I believe that the only way forward is to see opportunity. I want to continue working on improving our business climate and quality of life for Czechs through digitization, nurturing innovative workforce and increasing the added value created in through strategic technology research and development. Through Y Soft CSR, I am also supporting fact based journalism to protect our liberal democracy."

AmCham Priority:

I see our country, the Czech Republic as a country of innovative, courageous, skilful and hard-working people. We are witnessing worsening competitiveness of Czech Republic and the country is struggling to identify the right path forward. I believe that the only way forward is to seek opportunities in the current affairs instead of pretending that they don’t exist or are only temporary. Let’s play on our strengths, make bold decisions and follow good examples from abroad. More than 2 years ago, we have started the journey of explaining the Big Bets strategy to key stakeholders in the government, industry and academia and found many who listened and learned from that strategy. We have built meaningful cooperations which deliver value and insight to AmCham members. 

My goal for the next 2 years is to continue and build on this success – nurture and evolve the business climate in the Czech Republic and create a strategy of sustainable economic growth focusing on digitization of the Czech Government, innovative workforce and bet on Research and Development with public/private partnerships. 

Focus area: Healt Care

Board Mission:

"The American Chamber of Commerce has a unique position in the Czech business environment. I am honoured to serve for the continuous success of AmCham and I am again ready to dedicate my experience and energy to further enhance AmCham’s position as trusted and respected partner to both business community and state authorities. I would like to focus on AmCham priorities, especially Competitiveness, Healthcare and Transparency." 

AmCham Priority:

Focus on advocacy with stakeholders to drive economic improvement of the Czech Republic including better and faster acceptance of Innovation and Digitization. Work closely with Healthcare Council on implementing AmCham priorities to create sustainable and wellfunctioning healthcare system. 

Focus area: People

Board Mission:

"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 Priority:

• Workforce

• Cooperation with other countries Chambers of Commerce

Board Mission:

"Manufacturing is undergoing tremendous turbulences. Resiliency is becoming the desired state. Post pandemic supply chain set ups are changing the global manufacturing lay outs. All that together with industry and technology changes are disruptive to used Czech Republic manufacturing set up. As a board member I will continue to focus on identification trends and solutions helping Czech manufacturing being globally competitive."

AmCham Priority:

• Country manufacturing strategy

• Monetary and Fiscal policy stability

• Labor market trends 

Board Mission:

Collaborate with the AmCham board of directors towards the transformation of the Czech economy, shaping of the energy policy, improvement of the business environment and enhancement of the country’s competitiveness

AmCham Priority:

• To sustain AmCham’s position as a Trusted partner with the Czech Government and other stakeholders

• To leverage ExxonMobil’s experience and raise stakeholder’s awareness of the O&G industry dynamics, energy outlook, and impact on business environment

• To leverage ExxonMobil’s experience and raise stakeholder’s awareness of European and global energy policies including EU Green Deal, Fit For 55, Net Zero Industry Act, and the potential solutions towards a net-zero future

• To actively engage in advocacy efforts aiming for shaping the energy policy

• To improve access to Talents within Czech Republic

• To improve the competitiveness of Czech Republic Business Services sector

• To build-on and develop furthermore the bilateral business relations

Board Mission:

"As a Board member, I would like to build upon more than two decades of work of 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 be active member. As a head of KPMG Real Estate and Construction practice I would like to actively contribute to various topics in these areas. I would also like to continue to strongly support development of transparency and ethics in the Czech business and public environment. 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 Priority:

• Development of Prague

• New law (construction, ESG, compliance)

• Tax policies 

Board mission:

"Future success of the Czech Republic depends on a number of aspects but one of them is a cornerstone of everything – quality of people, their education, experience and ability to adapt to a fast changing environment. The Czech labour, employment and immigration legislation should support this and should allow a very smooth entry process for highly skilled third country nationals. Given the current demographics, we cannot afford to prevent top foreign talent from moving to the Czech Republic. I would like to use my knowledge, skills, influence and experience to promote the pro-active immigration policy and to make the Czech Republic attractive country for highly skilled foreigners. At the same time I would like to help to make the labour and employment legislation reasonable and practical."

AmCham Priority:

• Workforce and employment topics

• Immigration issues

Board Mission:

Contribute to the development of AmCham's strategic objectives by sharing industry insights and facilitating meaningful engagements. By empowering businesses with cutting-edge technologies and promoting cross-industry collaboration, we can create a prosperous future for Czechia, its businesses, and its people. Together, let's shape a thriving ecosystem that embraces the transformative power of technology and fosters a culture of innovation.

AmCham Priority:

• Digitization in the country – supporting policy making and facilitating best practice sharing

• Innovation – contribute to our strategic agenda to enable competitive Czechia

• Sustainability and effective healthcare in the country 

Board Mission:

"The Czech health care is dealing with several issues which are resulting in slowing down or even blocking the incremental progress while western countries make exponential improvement through innovation. There are no long term plans which could assure us that our patients will get in 3 years the same or better level of treatment as patients from the western countries. And investors and talents usually tend to choose countries where the health care reaches the top quality. Prosperous health care is then one of the enablers how to achieve overall Amcham strategic goals and I would like to help Amcham to partner with government to start using the innovation as the key tool to succeed."

AmCham Priority:

• Sustainable financing of healthcare

• Recognition of innovation and digitization as key driver of efficient and effective healthcare

• Open data allowing us to call for the appropriate reset of system incentives 

Focus area: Macroeconomics and Finance

Board Mission:

"My priorities, as AmCham Board Member, would be to promote the Czech Republic as preferred destination for investments and business. Considering Citi’s unique position of serving communities, institutions, and governments, in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions globally and a history of over 200 years’ globally and a presence of 32 years in the Czech Republic, I am convinced we can work to the benefit of the country and support AmCham objectives at our best. With over 30 years of international banking experience and an extensive industry expertise in Central Europe, Africa, and Asia, I would like to focus primarily on the development local and international businesses and environment, facilitate the transformation to ESG solutions and support the growth of the digital economy and Fintech ecosystem in the country and region."

AmCham Priorities:

• Improve investment climate and opportunities

• Advocate and support ESG implementation

• Promote and support growth of Digital & Fintech economy

Focus area: Innovation

Board Mission

"Contribute to the board's strategic objectives in research and innovation by fostering dialogue among academia, governmental officials, and industry leaders, and by promoting startup-led innovation aimed at impact and business success. While the Czech Republic boasts world-renowned scientists, researchers, and successful startups and companies that have achieved unicorn status ($1B+ valuation), there remains a significant opportunity to amplify this success tenfold. Scaling up the Czech Republic's research, innovation, and entrepreneurial potential requires focused commitment and collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, the investment community, industry leaders, government officials, and political representatives."

AmCham Priority:

• Recognize the importance of the research and innovation agenda as a key driver of future economic growth. Beyond supporting researchers, the government should invest in research with the expectation of asymmetric returns, enhancing the competitiveness of the Czech economy.

• Create a competitive, startupfriendly environment that encourages entrepreneurs to build innovative companies aspiring for global impact and international business success.  

Board Mission:

"Personal experience from the Czech Republic serving clients for almost 3 decades but also understanding of the region around us and of our competitive edge. Aligning Deloitte experts from various fields to contribute to the Innovation agenda, but also to other topics of importance (sector expertise, macroeconomics expertise, D&I focus and moving the needle in this field, etc.). Utilizing my global network to get the right insights into what is working in market leading economies such as Germany, US, Canada, etc." 

AmCham Priority:

•Strategy – discussing the economic direction of the country with other stakeholders

• Advocacy – implementing the action plan of the AmCham-US Embassy investment program

• Communication – helping with a tailored communication plan and stakeholders mapping to reach the goals set in the Strategy 

Board Mission

"Czech Republic has a lot of potential and opportunities to improve its digital performance and position in the EU and globally. As AmCham board members, we are dedicated to helping our country undergo a digital transformation, by pushing for sensible policies, sharing best practices, and encouraging cooperation among stakeholders. We think that digitizing government and digitizing business is vital for our economic growth and social welfare. I personally pledge to support collaboration between stakeholders from the public and private sectors and skills development at all levels."

AmCham Priority:

• Advocate for responsible AI and cybersecurity

• Promote the adoption of cloud solutions

• Support the digital transformation of the public sector

Focus area: Tourism and Hospitality

Board Mission:

"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."

AmCham Priority:

• Economic Development—Czech Competitiveness 2030/2040

• Economic Development— Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, Conventions & Events Promotion

Board Mission

"The Czech Republic has several advantages that require promotion and further development. For instance, we possess a skilled workforce. Although our schools are excellent, we face a shortage of students in technical fields. To address this, we must make STEM education more appealing, particularly to women. However, the Czech Republic also faces deficiencies that need mitigation. One such issue is our lag in digitization. We should start by modernizing the government and public sector. Additionally, we need to increase investments in AI, cloud solutions, and high-speed internet coverage."

 AmCham Priority:

• Promote STEM education and technical universities.

• Increase motivation of academic sphere to cooperate on applied R&D with industry

• Increase speed of administration digitization

• Decrease administrative obstacles impeding development of digital infrastructure.

Focus area: Technology and Manufacturing

Board Mission:

"Honeywell believes Czech Republic with its strong industrial heritage and word class academia is great place to grow our R&D capabilities. We will use our experience from key industries of advanced mobility, digitization, and sustainability to help Czech government and municipalities to define strategies for faster transformation into high tech economy."

AmCham Priority:

• Transformation of Czechia into high tech economy with clear focus on megatrends and key industries.

• Effective R&D collaboration between industry & academic sphere

• Addressing lack of high-skilled labor force. Improving entrepreneurship education.