Czech Business Today

In September, an exciting and groundbreaking event known as the “CZECH-BELGIAN DESIGN NETWORKING FORUM” took place in vibrant Brussels. This gathering, which successfully brought together creative minds, entrepreneurs and academics from the Czech Republic and Belgium, was further graced by the presence of esteemed representatives of European creative industry institutions and SMEs. The forum served as an exceptional platform for knowledge exchange, fostering innovation and internationalisation of the industrial design sphere, among other things, helping to develop sustainable business activities. This unique event, attended by more than 80 experts, provided an invaluable opportunity to share different perspectives and skills and strengthen cooperation between the Czech Republic and Belgium in this key area with a focus on strengthening the competitiveness of the industry.

The forum consisted of two pivotal segments: a panel discussion and B2B networking. The event featured compelling presentations and lectures from leading design professionals, who generously shared their insights and visions. Witnessing the amalgamation of distinct approaches and ideas contributing to design advancement in both countries was genuinely captivating. Subsequent discussions facilitated active engagement, encouraging participants to pose questions and deliberate on key topics.

A significant emphasis was placed on bolstering traditional Czech manufacturers while concurrently nurturing the potential of Czech designers. The event also shed light on Belgian design’s possibilities, needs, and capabilities, an essential element for future collaborations. During the B2B portion of the program, Czech enterprises seized the opportunity to showcase their products, not only to individual experts but also to prospective partners who were participants in the forum.

The event was infused with a vibrancy thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of design professional , Pavlina Louženská, who led the proceedings. Her role as a moderator also added an inspiring dimension. It is abundantly evident that such events pave the way for traditional manufacturers and emerging design professionals to thrive in foreign markets.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Czech entities that actively participated, including SVIS Trade, ELTON hodinářská, Kovap Náchod, JUSTLOVE, Tkalcovna Kubák, Mikela da Luka, and Linda Havrlíková. We would also like to extend our gratitude to UMPRUM, the Czech Centre in Brussels, and, most notably, the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU for their unwavering support throughout this remarkable endeavour.