The three component systems are Points of Single Contact (PSC), Product Contact Points (ProCoP), and Solvit. In 2010, over 3 000 inquires were dealt by these three systems seperatly. The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade has combined these into a single advisory system for entrepreneurs' business activities at home and abroad.
Martin Kocourek, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, said: "The European Commission has already commended this integrated system as an example of the best practice in promoting business in the European Union." He added: "This system will considerably facilitate lives of Czech entrepreneurs and in particular, it will assist small and medium-sized enterprises to exploit the opportunities offered by the Single European Market."
PSCs form part of municipal Trade Licensing Offices in regional towns, and were established in response to the EU Directive on Services in the Internal Market. They provide entrepreneurs with the information they need to set up a business in the Czech Republic and also in all the European Union Member States. In addition to informing their clients of the requirements they have to satisfy to exercise a given profession or which forms they need to complete, they also mediate dealings with the appropriate Czech authorities and provide the necessary documentation. PSCs function in both Czech and English, and can be accessed via the Internet or email. PSCs have been operating for only a year but handled almost 2 500 inquiries in that time with almost half of the inquiries concerned conditions for conducting business outside the Czech Republic, especially in Germany. The service has also been praised by the European Parliament which, in its report on the implementation of the Directive on Services, commended the high level of cooperation between PSCs and other government bodies.
ProCoP responds to queries regarding legislative requirements for products sold in the different European Union Member States. The ProCoP will inform entrepreneurs if they need to register their product in a certain manner and how to place their products on the market. ProCoP is primarily devoted to the European Union Member States, including the Czech Republic, but can also help to ascertain requirements imposed by third countries. ProCoP had a total of 250 inquiries in 2010, which was an increase of 400 % over 2009.
SOLVIT is an EU network of advisory centres which help find informal solutions to problems faced by entrepreneurs and individuals who have been harmed by a decision issued by an authority in breach of European law. The basic precept of the system is to find a solution that does not require going through the courts, is free of charge and avoids unnecessary bureaucracy. The Czech Solvit Centre has been ranked as one of the best within the EU, as it successfully solves as many as 80 % of its cases in an average of 19 days. It has dealt with such issues as the recognition of professional qualifications, VAT refunds from another state and barriers to selling products in a new market. According to the latest statistics, the Czech Solvit has saved businesses and individuals CZK320 million (approx. €13 million) a year.
Further information:
- Official Press Release - Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Related news article - BusinessInfo.cz
- Related ePractice Publication - EU Directive on Services in the Internal Market
- Points of Single Contact - European Commission
- Product Contact Points - Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Solvit - European Commission
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 10.02.2011
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