Business News
The Czech Republic may need another nuclear power station, says the Industry and Trade Minister Jiri Rusnok. The Czech ministers of trade and defence have been lobbying in India on behalf of the Czech military aircraft maker Aero Vodochody. Matsushita is planning to invest another 8 million USD in a R&D facility in Czech Republic. Mobile penetration is expected to reach 90 percent in 2003.
Industry Minister says new nuclear power station still option
The Czech Republic may need another nuclear power station, says the Industry and Trade Minister Jiri Rusnok. In his opinion, the Czech Republic will need to build a new nuclear power station of 1800 MW in 10 to 20 years from now. "There is no way we can give up nuclear energy in order to maintain a balanced mix of sources," he was quoted as saying. The Czech Republic operates two nuclear power stations - 15-year old Dukovany and Temelin whose first reactor was put on-line in 2000 and second is under test operation. The two power stations cover around 40 percent of the total power consumption in the Czech Republic and the share of nuclear power will increase with the full operation of Temelin's second reactor. That is why the national power utility CEZ has been scaling down the conventional coal-burning power stations that have for decades been the main source of electricity in the country.
Czech officials support military aircraft deal with India
The Czech ministers of trade and defence have been lobbying in India on behalf of the Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody which is trying to sell the Indian military sub-sonic fighter and trainer jets L-159. The biggest rival to the Czech L-159 is the British Hawk, made by BAE Systems. Czech pilots believe that L-159 is better than its rival, although basic parameters are similar. Whereas Hawk is a bit faster, what really makes the difference is the price - Hawk costs about twice as much. Also, L-159 Aero is a completely new aircraft, while Hawk was designed twenty years ago. The Indian air force has already completed a tender for the purchase of 66 training aircraft, selecting Hawk as the best choice. However, the contract has not been signed yet and the Czech side keeps pushing the L-159s.
Matsushita to invest another USD 8 million CZK in Plzen R&D centre
The company Matsushita Television Central Europe is planning to invest around 8 million USD to extend its R&D centre in Plzen, western Bohemia. Upon completion in two years, the new plant will create more than 150 new jobs for highly qualified professionals. Adjacent to a Panasonic TV sets production facility, the centre was opened in April 1999 and currently employs 40 people. Matsushita has invested a total of almost 90 million USD in the Plzen industrial zone and employs some 1,700 staff there.
Mobile penetration to reach 90 percent in 2003
In 2002, the three Czech mobile phone operators reported an increase in the number of clients by a combined 1.6 million to a total of 8.6 million, ranking the Czech Republic one of the top countries in Europe in mobile penetration. This year, the growth is expected to slow down markedly, with 90-percent penetration expected by the end of this year.
