Trade and Industry Ministry plans to merge CzechTrade, CzechInvest

The Trade and Industry Ministry says it plans to merge two state agencies: CzechInvest which is charged with attracting investment and CzechTrade which promotes Czech exports. A ministry spokesman said the two agencies employ some 270 people and have dozens of offices both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Shadow trade minister Milan Urban has criticised the plan saying it might prove harmful to Czech businesses as well as foreign investment.