As part of his work for the Czech-German Chamber of Foreign Trade, Peter Hrbik has been providing support for German business enterprises in the Czech Republic for many years. The German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DTIHK) is a bilateral chamber of foreign trade within a worldwide network that actively promotes the exchange of economic information between the Czech Republic and Germany.
Peter Hrbik has therefore acted as representative of the ports of Bremen in the Czech Republic since February 2019. His role is to open doors for companies seeking to exploit the highly diverse opportunities of the Czech market. Hrbik, who was born in Slovakia and studied law, explains why he believes the Czech Republic is an attractive location for German investors.
HOW WOULD YOU GENERALLY DESCRIBE THE REMIT OF YOUR CURRENT POSITION? WHY AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PORTS OF BREMEN?
My job as representative of bremenports is to provide a first point of contact in the Czech Republic for companies from Bremen. Our office opens doors for business enterprises wishing to exploit the diverse opportunities that the Czech market has to offer. In the course of my work for the Czech-German Chamber of Foreign Trade, I have supported and accompanied German firms in the Czech Republic for many years. I regard the position of representative as a pleasant challenge and addition to my previous remit.
WHAT DOES YOUR REGION STAND FOR AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT? WHAT ARE THE KEY INDUSTRIAL AND LOGISTICS SECTORS IN YOUR REGION? AND WHAT INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS HAVE TO BE OBSERVED?
The Czech Republic is an attractive investment location for German investors and is also Germany’s 10th largest trade partner. The main industrial sectors by far are the production of motor vehicles, vehicle components and machinery; however this increasingly also involves innovative technologies such as nanotechnology.
WHAT CONNECTIONS DOES YOUR REGION HAVE WITH THE PORTS OF BREMEN AND WHAT PERSONAL LINKS DO YOU HAVE WITH THE PORTS IN BREMEN AND BREMERHAVEN?
The trade relations between the Czech Republic and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen are developing at an extremely dynamic pace. As Bremen is the nearest major ocean port for large parts of the Czech Republic, the Czech Republic is one of the main hinterland partners for the container business, with three direct container train links.
I personally gained a fantastic impression right from my very first visit to Bremen and Bremerhaven. I believe that the ports of Bremen are a perfectly planned and performed organisation of the logistics microcosm.
After studying law in Bratislava, Peter Hrbik worked for various law offices which specialise in German-speaking clients. The logistics and transport business has always been one of the key areas of his work. Peter Hrbik has been in charge of the legal department of the Chamber of Foreign Trade in Prague since May 2013. Peter Hrbik advises, accompanies and supports German enterprises in connection with their business activities and investments in the Czech Republic.
Peter Hrbik was born in Bratislava in Slovakia in 1982. He now lives in the Central Bohemian Region with his wife, son and daughter. In his spare time, he is a keen angler and his hobbies also include books and walking in the woods.
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