CzechTrade to open new office in Malaysia in 2024, expanding focus on Southeast Asia

CzechTrade, the Czech government's trade promotion agency, plans to open a new office in Malaysia next year, its director Radomil Doležal said at the Future of Export Summit 2024 in Prague on Tuesday. The initiative is part of CzechTrade's strategy to strengthen the Czech export presence in Southeast Asia, one of six priority regions for expanding Czech exports. The agency aims to further build its network in the region by 2026.

According to Mr. Doležal, the strategic shift is already yielding results. While exports to the European Union grew by 0.2% last year, exports to countries outside the EU rose nearly 3%. This trend has accelerated in 2023, with non-EU exports up 16.5% in the first three quarters. Some 22% of Czech exports are currently destined for markets outside the EU, with the remaining 78% directed to EU member states.