The Czechs are looking for alternative export markets – Food companies interested in Serbia as well

The Czech exporters hit by export limitations to Russia are looking for new markets in ex Soviet republics but also in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On Thursday, August 21, 2014, at the press conference, the Minister of industry and trade of the Czech Republic, Jan Mladek, mentioned Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan as potential export markets and the Minister of external affairs, Lubomir Zaoralek, mentioned some Arabian and Balkan countries, Serbia among them, as an alternative.

- The Czech companies should, despite sanctions, maintain trading with Russia at the maximal possible level – Mladek pointed out.

Last year, the scope of the Czech export to the country totaled 4,14 billion, CTK agency reported.

- We definitely will not repeat ’90s when the Czech companies left the Russian market. We would like turnover decrease to limit only to goods under sanctions – the minister of industry and trade of the Czech Republic said.

Limitations EU countries imposed are focused first of all to capital market, military industry, double purpose goods and oil exploitation sensitive technology. The influence of sanctions to majority of the goods listed will, according to Mladek, be seen next year. The Czech exporters can export on the basis of previously agreed umbrella contracts.

- However, the influence of the Russian embargo on the export of certain agricultural and food products is temporary – Mladek pointed out.

The minister of internal affairs, Zaoralek, thinks alternative destinations for the Czech food producers could be Saudi Arabia, UAE, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Philippines which are now modernizing army would be interesting for weapons industry . The goods with double purpose could be directed to China and South Korea, the head of the Czech diplomacy said.

-Ministers will deliver the developed opportunities mal to the Government next week - Zaoralek said.

The ministry fo internal affairs is, Zaoralek thinks , ready to send its diplomats together with businessmen to potential markets to help them in search for orders.