Trade Shows » Country » Czech Republic » Prague

Business Overview
A large part of Prague’s economy has undergone profound transformation over the last decade emerging as a successful market economy. Contributing one-fifth of all investment in Czech Republic and generating over 20% of National Gross Domestic Product, the Capital attributes double the average of the whole country in per capita terms.

In addition to Czech businesses, Prague is becoming a site of European headquarters of many international companies. It’s importance as a financial and trade center has been endorsed since the establishment of Prague Stock Exchange and Exhibition Grounds and the city thus, keeps growing with influx of foreign investment.

Many multinational corporations prefer the city to established their business practices as to manage business in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe from here, therefore also making it any important trade destinations where lots of expositions and international trade events take place every year.

Where the service sector has been growing significantly, the percentage of manufacturing industries is decreasing since last few years. In this sector, along with business services including finance, real estate markets, IT, and Advertising, services for individual i.e. the tourist industry also holds an exceptional position.

Nevertheless, the city is the biggest and most important industrial center in the country. Industries like printing, food, chemical and engineering constitutes the most important part of the sector, while a significant proportion of research and development is based in Prague too.

Major Business Centers
Prague Exhibition Grounds:
Situated in the northern part of the capital in the area of the picturesque Troja basin, Prague Exhibition Grounds have a rich history that reflects the historical and social development of Prague, as well as of the whole country.

Besides serving exhibitions of various nature it also became a center of entertainment and culture.

Having total 20,000 m2 of exhibition space, the grounds arrange the co-ordination of all congress and Trade Fair activities. In its premises, it includes 238 m long Industrial Palace which is traditionally used as exhibition hall and various cultural events like balls, concerts, fashion shows and ceremonial dinners.

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE):
A joint stock company by law, Prague Stock Exchange is the biggest organizer of the securities market in Czech Republic and the second biggest in Central and Eastern Europe. Under its unique membership principle, only licensed securities dealers who are members of the Exchange have access to the Exchange’s system and are entitled to make trades.

The Exchange offers two basic trading systems to its clients namely, trading system SPAD for big and medium investors and trading modules auction and continual for small investors.

In 2004, PSE not only became the full member of Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) but was also officially granted the status of a "designated offshore securities market" including it into the list of offshore exchanges reliable for investors by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (U.S. SEC).

Prague Congress Center:
is one of the largest and best equipped European centers. It offers space for the widest variety of events, such as congresses, conferences, seminars, meetings, corporate presentations, press conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, balls, banquets and buffets. The range of banqueting and exhibition spaces available, including provision of accompanying services, makes it one of the largest and most comprehensive providers of these services, even outside the Czech market. The Center has at its disposal 20 halls and 50 meeting rooms, with a capacity from 12 to 2764 persons.

Major Commercial Areas

Holešovice is located on the peninsula surrounded by the Vltava river and is closest to the center. At present, Holešovice is shifting from a mixed industrial and residential center to a predominantly commercial and residential area. Here the rent and purchase levels are considerably lower.

This district includes the area of Karlín right next to Prague 1, further out Liben, and suburban areas in the north of the city. Although Karlín has many parks, wide streets and classical buildings, until recently, it has not been a major focus of investment. The areas around Karlín are becoming important business centers, which already include the IBC building, Hilton hotel, KPMG headquarters, Corso I and II office centers and along the banks of the river near Staré mesto, the new Riverside center. Karlin has two metro stations and several tram lines, and therefore it is especially well linked through public transportation. Karlin is definitely worth taking a look at.