Is Africa the Promised Land? At least Fiala thinks so

03.11.2023 14:50 | Press Release

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, left for a working trip to Sub-Saharan Africa on Friday, November 3, during which he will visit Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Czech Prime Minister will meet with the highest representatives of these countries and support entrepreneurs in penetrating the local market and Czech development projects. That is why the Prime Minister is accompanied by two dozen companies and representatives of the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic under the leadership of the president of the union, Jan Rafaj.

Photo:

Hans Štembera

Description: Prime Minister Petr Fiala

A few days after he supported Fiala at a demonstration in the Old Town Square of Israel, he went on a business trip to Africa.

“My government is changing the approach to Africa. It is a continent with great potential for our companies. We want to open the door to the local markets even more for them, which is why I am completing this trip in cooperation with the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic. Czech companies have a very good reputation in the world, and Africa is an important partner for the Czech Republic, but also for the European Union. In the countries I will visit, I will meet with the highest representatives of these countries in order to support Czech companies as much as possible,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated on the government’s official website.

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Africa is an increasingly important strategic partner for the Czech Republic and other European Union countries in the field of international politics, security and business. Due to the growing influence of Russia and China on this continent, Czech companies are actively striving to strengthen their presence, use the potential of African markets and develop relationships based on mutual respect and cooperation.

That is why Jan Rafaj, the president of the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic, who leads the business delegation, went on the trip with the prime minister. As part of the delegation, he is accompanied by representatives of more than twenty companies.

“I am glad that the Prime Minister and I are going to Africa. For several years, the Association of Industry has been pointing out that there is a need to direct Czech exports to other than Europe. The African continent is precisely one of the areas where it would be good to diversify domestic exports. The selected countries of the region represent leaders in technology, industry and innovation. At the same time, it is a geopolitically strategic area offering Czech companies many opportunities for future cooperation.” said Rafaj.

According to Fiala, it is necessary to consider African countries as important partners of the Czech Republic and the European Union. A number of European countries have historical and natural ties to African countries, but the union has underestimated the relationship in recent years, Fiala mentioned just before the flight.

And what is Prime Minister Fiala’s specific program on his way?

Photogallery: – Together for Israel

In Addis Ababa, the Czech Prime Minister will meet his counterpart Abiy Ahmed, Minister of Defense Abraham Balay and also the President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde. Among the main topics of the meeting will be the development of bilateral relations and the possibility of deepening cooperation in the economic field and the development of Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure, healthcare and the development of water management.

In Nairobi, Prime Minister Fiala is waiting for a meeting with the President of Kenya, William Ruto. He will also meet Kenya’s Defense Minister Aden Duale and Home Affairs Minister Kithure Kindiki. The negotiations in Kenya will mainly concern the development of defense and academic cooperation. The prime minister will also launch a business forum in the country, visit the National Defense College and the National Museum, where he will be presented with Czech activities in the field of biodiversity, research and innovation.

In Nigeria, he will meet the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and the Minister of State for Gas, Ekperipe Ekpa.

The key topics will be the development of cooperation in the field of agricultural technology, food industry and information technology. Czech companies are ready to share their experience in the field of mining and processing of mineral resources.

Ghana is among the 5 most important trade partners of the Czech Republic in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic will hold talks with his counterpart Alban Bagbin and also with the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adda. Economic and security development of Ghana will be important topics of the meeting. Prospective areas for Czech companies are mainly the supply of medical equipment, the mining industry or the construction of the local energy network.

Petr Fiala will begin his visit to the Ivory Coast by participating in a business forum. He will then meet with the Vice President of the Republic of Ivory Coast Tiemoko Meyliet Koné and his counterpart Robert Mambe Beugre. During a visit to the local hospital, he will meet the Minister of Health, Pierre N’Gou Dimba. Among the key topics of the meeting will be the development of transport, healthcare, security and the defense industry.