Caspian Energy (CE): What are your ministry’s key priorities for boosting industrial growth and innovation in Czechia?
Lukáš Vlček, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic: The Ministry of Industry and Trade aims at transforming Czechia into a leading European hub for advanced industry, clean technologies, and digital innovation. This forward-looking strategy is rooted in the Smart Specialisation Strategy, targeting the country’s strongest technological domains and regional strengths to deliver focused, high-impact growth. The national plan prioritizes innovation-driven development, energy resilience, and global competitiveness, while leveraging Czechia’s scientific excellence and industrial know-how.
Czechia is positioning itself as a leader in Europe’s industrial transformation – promoting innovation, embracing digital technologies, and leading the green transition. Our goal is clear: to build an economy that is smarter, cleaner, and globally competitive. Through investment in research and innovation, support for businesses, and targeted backing of key sectors and strategic technologies – such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and semiconductors – we are creating the conditions for long-term and sustainable industrial growth. Czech industry is not adapting to the future – we are actively shaping it.
By aligning our industrial strategy with Smart Specialisation and supporting strategic technologies, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies, Czechia is ready to lead Europe’s next industrial chapter - cleaner, smarter, and more innovative than ever before. The strategy is backed by national and EU resources, including OP TAK, the National Recovery Plan, and Smart Specialisation-based funding, forming one of the most comprehensive industrial transformations in Central Europe.
CE: How is Czechia working to strengthen its position in European and global trade markets?
Lukáš Vlček: To succeed in today’s global competition, we believe it is essential to focus on innovations, the production of complete and high-value-added solutions and on maximizing added value. In order to achieve that, we are trying to support these companies throughout all stages of their growth.
Czech companies are deeply embedded in global value chains, and our economy is among the most open and export-oriented in the world. As such, active engagement in international markets is vital for our businesses. Within the EU’s common trade policy, we emphasize trade diversification, the opening of new markets, and the strengthening of supply chain resilience. Through the European Commission, we project our economic priorities into negotiations with global partners and seek to remove trade barriers as they emerge. Expanding trade with third countries, especially through free trade agreements, remains our long-term priority.
Achieving these objectives requires strong and ongoing dialogue with industry. Through our extensive network of trade representatives we strive to keep our companies well-informed about opportunities in international markets, while also highlighting potential risks and the need for preparedness. Overall, we believe that building resilience is a shared responsibility - one that we must pursue together with our partners.
CE: What role does digitalization play in the future of Czech industry and commerce?
Lukáš Vlček: Digitalization is essential for the future of Czech industry and commerce, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence, cloud services, and big data, which drive competitiveness, efficiency, and innovation. The rapid adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce strengthens the country’s economic potential and opens up global opportunities. Continued investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors, such as initiatives like the AI Gigafactory, are essential to fully realize these benefits. These efforts are also supported by national strategies, such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Czech Republic 2030 and the Czech Digital Economy and Society Concept.
CE: Are there any strategic sectors you are focusing on to attract foreign investment?
Lukáš Vlček: Given the megatrends of decarbonisation, digitalisation, energy consumption reduction, and build-up of strategic autonomy, we strategically focus on clean mobility, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and defence as key industrial sectors. We offer attractive conditions, including grants and tax reliefs, to investors in manufacturing sectors with high value added, as well as in technology centres, and strategic services centres, such as software or data centres. A special, temporary programme provides grants to large investments in batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, electrolysers, carbon capture, utilisation and storage facilities, as well as their key components and the critical raw materials required for their production.
CE: How do you view the potential for enhanced economic cooperation between Czechia and Azerbaijan?
Lukáš Vlček: The Czech Republic sees Azerbaijan as a long-standing and valued economic partner. Our cooperation has traditionally focused on energy, particularly hydrocarbons, and Azerbaijan has proven to be a reliable and stable partner. In the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, diversification of energy sources became even more important, and Azerbaijani oil has played a significant role in our transition away from Russian fuels.
But our partnership is not just about energy. Recently, I had the opportunity to welcome Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov to Prague, where we had a productive discussion on how to further expand our cooperation. I’m pleased that we share the view that there is strong potential across a range of sectors. Czech companies offer advanced solutions in areas such as transport and infrastructure, water and waste management, environmental technologies, and innovation. We also see promising opportunities in Azerbaijan’s growing role as a transport hub between Europe and Asia. That is why we support the development of the Middle Corridor and welcome initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway, which aim to unlock new avenues for investment and collaboration in transport and logistics.
I believe Minister Jabbarov’s visit and his direct engagement with Czech companies during the roundtable at our Ministry will help pave the way for new partnerships and long-term cooperation.
Thank you for the interview.
