The Council identifies the competitive strengths and weaknesses of economic policy in its Competitiveness Report. Issue priorities are then identified, developed and pursued by task forces comprised of experts from business, government and academics. This section of the website contains recent views and date, the full competitiveness report, and a summary of our priority issues.
Health Care is not just a competitiveness issue: it may be the primary competitiveness issue facing Europe. It is both a threat and opportunity. With an aging population that will demand more care, the continent must find a way to finance this care without burdening the workforce- and the economy- with non-competitive taxes or other charges. At the same time, the growing demands to provide quality health care at affordable prices provides some countries, including the Czech Republic, with an economic opportunity to provide care not only for their own citizens, but for citizens of neighboring countries. Policymakers, therefore, should not only assess the health care system as a social burden to be borne as economically as possible, but as a potential source of economic growth and innovation.
V čem, podle Vašeho názoru, tkví největší problémy dnešního českého zdravotnictví?
Zásadní problém současného českého zdravotnictví je, že se násilně i...
Od nového roku platí v České republice novela o DPH, která ve jménu boje s daňovými podvody zavádí několik kontroverzních opatření. Kritici za největš...
Čierny zoznam neplatičov DPH, ratingy firmám či bločková lotéria. Týmito opatreniami slovenskej vlády na boj proti daňovým únikom by sa podľa bývalého...
V čem, podle Vašeho názoru, tkví největší problémy dnešního českého zdravotnictví?
Zásadní problém současného českého zdravotnictví je, že se násilně i...
Od nového roku platí v České republice novela o DPH, která ve jménu boje s daňovými podvody zavádí několik kontroverzních opatření. Kritici za největš...
Čierny zoznam neplatičov DPH, ratingy firmám či bločková lotéria. Týmito opatreniami slovenskej vlády na boj proti daňovým únikom by sa podľa bývalého...
- SURVEY REQUEST: COMPETITIVENESS OF CZECH ECONOMIC POLICY 2013
The AmCham is conducting its 2013 Survey on the Competitiveness of Czech Economic Policy. This survey intends to identify competitive advantages and disadvantages and will be used to craft a set of economic priorities to be presented to the government. It will be compared with the outcome of the 2009 and 2011 survey, as well as the results from three other CE countries - Croatia, Romania, and Slovenia- which are joining the report this year.
We would greatly appreciate if you would 1) complete the survey as soon as possible and 2) asking business partners to also complete it. The deadline for completing the survey is May 10.
- !NEW! 2013 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS_Notes and Numbers (click to download)
- PRIOR TO MEETING WITH MINISTER LEOŠ HEGER AMCHAM PREPARED HEALTH CARE REFORM PRIORITY BRIEF (click to download)
Indexed against the European Union average, the economic policy of the Czech Republic helped create a competitive advantage in one area- physical infrastructure- and is performing around the EU average in another two- fiscal/ monetary policy and public administration.
Economic Competitiveness| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| Score | 594 | 763 | 601 | 526 | 511 | 487 | 848 |
| Total | 5.94 | 7.63 | 6.01 | 5.26 | 5.11 | 4.87 | 8.48 |
| Index to EU avg.* | 0.99 | 1.27 | 1.00 | 0.88 | 0.85 | 0.81 | 1.41 |
* The score against the average score for all EU countries.
Assessment| Competitive advantage (exceeding +.15 EU avg.) | |
| Competitive (performing at +/-.15 EU avg.) | |
| Competitive disadvantage (bellow -.15 EU avg.) |
| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| People | 1.05 | 1.19 | 1.01 | 0.81 | 0.87 | 1.07 | 1.18 |
| GDP | 1.02 | 1.09 | 1.17 | 1.10 | 1.07 | 1.76 | 1.18 |
| Capital Accumulation | 0.83 | 1.43 | 0.66 | 0.88 | 0.59 | 0.49 | 0.96 |
| Commercial Flow | 0.57 | 2.38 | 0.26 | 0.32 | 0.59 | -0.06 | 4.12 |
| Energy Use | 1.21 | 2.88 | 0.89 | 1.19 | 0.75 | 0.74 | 1.27 |
| Total Score | 0.91 | 1.31 | 0.92 | 0.94 | 0.84 | 1.07 | 1.31 |
The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.
As could be expected, the Czech Republic straddles the divide between Western Europe and former Soviet satellites. In 10 of 18 categories, the country is at a competitive disadvantage with the EU average. In four categories, it is competitive neutral, and in four it has a competitive advantage over the average EU country. The country‘s areas of strength indicate it has the potential for substantial competitive advances.
| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| Starting a Business | 1.21 | 0.83 | 1.02 | 1.34 | 0.51 | 0.63 | 1.46 |
| Real Estate | 1.00 | 0.91 | 1.12 | 0.90 | 1.00 | 0.94 | 1.13 |
| Taxes | 0.96 | 1.07 | 1.00 | 1.02 | 0.98 | 1.00 | 1.07 |
| Judiciary | 1.01 | 1.08 | 0.93 | 1.00 | 0.89 | 0.93 | 1.15 |
| Capital Markets | 0.86 | 1.00 | 0.90 | 1.04 | 0.95 | 1.13 | 1.13 |
| Insolvency | 1.18 | 0.97 | 1.10 | 0.87 | 1.00 | 1.05 | 0.84 |
| e-Government | 0.98 | 1.08 | 0.73 | 1.11 | 0.78 | 0.91 | 1.41 |
| Labor Law | 0.79 | 1.00 | 0.94 | 1.04 | 1.06 | 0.97 | 1.21 |
| IPR | 1.04 | 1.00 | 0.93 | 1.05 | 0.91 | 0.94 | 1.13 |
| Competition | 0.96 | 1.08 | 0.93 | 1.11 | 0.90 | 0.83 | 1.20 |
| Total Score | 0.89 | 0.96 | 0.93 | 1.05 | 1.00 | 1.17 | 1.00 |
The country score indexed against the average of the seven countries in the comparative group.
The Czech Republic receives high marks for the quality of its legislation. In bankruptcy and commercial registration- both recently reformed with intensive involvement of private sector experts- the country has a distinct competitive advantage. In seven chapters of legal reform, the country performs at the comparative group average. Only labor law is a competitive disadvantage.
| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| Cost | 1.14 | 0.99 | 1.14 | 0.79 | 1.08 | 1.53 | 1.27 |
| Efficiency | 0.81 | 1.41 | 1.11 | 0.99 | 0.73 | 0.91 | 2.22 |
| Total Score | 0.96 | 1.22 | 1.12 | 0.90 | 0.88 | 1.19 | 1.79 |
The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.
In 3 out of the 7 cost indicators, Czech public administration costs less than its EU peers. Both effective personal tax rates and interest costs as a percentage of total government revenue are significantly lower than the EU average. The total tax rate- both as a percentage of GDP and profit- in the Czech Republic are about average. In two areas, however, the country has dangerous disadvantages: social contributions and government deficits.
| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| Communication | 0.75 | 1.04 | 0.72 | 0.76 | 0.63 | 0.45 | 1.56 |
| Land | 1.11 | 0.61 | 0.90 | 1.64 | 1.13 | 1.50 | 0.20 |
| Energy | 1.09 | 1.56 | 1.10 | 0.85 | 0.86 | 0.00 | 1.01 |
| Transport | 1.62 | 1.62 | 1.55 | 1.35 | 0.43 | 0.60 | 1.93 |
| Tourism | 1.95 | 1.26 | 0.84 | 0.76 | 1.12 | 0.60 | 1.93 |
| Total Score | 1.21 | 1.34 | 1.08 | 1.02 | 0.71 | 0.47 | 1.37 |
The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.
The country has a competitive advantage in 5 of the 15 indicators, a neutral score in 3, and a disadvantage in 7.
| CZ | AT | SK | HU | PL | BG | NL |
| Labor Force | 0.75 | 0.86 | 0.60 | 0.80 | 0.94 | 0.72 | 1.15 |
| Education | 1.05 | 1.14 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 1.01 | 0.67 | 0.94 |
| Commercialization | 0.48 | 1.40 | 0.23 | 0.39 | 0.27 | 0.20 | 1.63 |
| Total Score | 0.81 | 1.14 | 0.66 | 0.76 | 0.78 | 0.54 | 1.18 |
The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.
Twenty-one indicators were selected. The country has a competitive advantage in two, and a disadvantage in 12. It is doing reasonably well in traditional education, but is far behind in training and education after university. The labor force works long hours, but at a lower productive per hour worked. Not enough of that work force has a university education, and the number in high tech manufacturing is below ever other comparative country except Austria. The ability to convert education into commercial research success is poor; although test scores are high, the country is 90% below the EU average in patent applications.
The Council analyzes its Competitiveness Report and identifies strategic economic policies that would increase the country's competitiveness. The Council forms task forces of experts from all areas of society to debate and develop effective proposals in each priority area.
The country rightfully places much pride in its intellectual heritage. To maintain this advantage in the future, the government will need to take strong step in both education and research so that the country can achieve its place among the world’s elite. To succeed, a new policy needs to educate tomorrow’s graduates in the skills required by a knowledge economy.
More...The government's lack of a clear position concerning euro entry makes business planning difficult, if not impossible.
More...This country spends more money on energy for every unit of growth than most other countries in the euro. As a result, money that could be put in the pockets of Czech citizens ends up flowing to oil and gas producing countries. Every effort should be made to make both industrial production, commercial offices, and residential use more efficient.
More...The government should introduce new measures to monitor spending and to eliminate inefficiencies caused by conflict-of-interest, duplication of services, and other sources.
More...The next government should achieve a cross-party consensus on the labor code, and attempt to modernize the code so that it has the flexibility to function well both in office and factory environments.
More...Both sides of the political spectrum have contributed to today's competitive tax rates. The further evolution of tax policy should be established across party lines to ensure consistency, and changes should focus on eliminating the gray market by simplifying the system.
More...Tourism is one of the keys to quick recovery and long-term prosperity. The government needs to have more cohesive and better funded policy to promote the country and invest in necessary tourism infrastructure.
More...The Council monitors economic policy develop- ments in the Czech Republic and abroad to bring better understanding of current topics, trends and innovations. POLICY PIPELINE IS UPDATED EVERY MONDAY BY 9AM.
We would like to cordially invite you to a discussion on innovation, innovation policy and business cooperation in innovations with a special guest:
Discussion with Dr. Charles Wessner, Director of the Program on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, US National Academy
Key questions for the discussion
• Companies’ innovation cooperation – innovation development through collaboration with other business partners and universities
• Tying public research to national policy goals
Date: March 27, 2.00-3.30 pm
Venue: AmCham, Dušní 10, Praha 1
Please register online or at
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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 byRobert 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.
The Council has been established as a forum for debating and advocating improvements in economic policy. The Council is open to contributions from entities and individuals from all parts of society.