Czech Business Today

Flash news

• Czech Ministry of Industry Submits Official Input to the European Commission on Simplifying the AI Act

  The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) has officially submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Digital Package, focusing on simplifying rules within the AI Act. The input reflects proposals gathered from Czech businesses and refined through interministerial discussions. “Right after taking over responsibility for the AI Act implementation, we were the first Member State to propose its simplification and postponement until companies have clear guidance on compliance. In our submission, we call for less bureaucracy, clearer risk assessment rules, recognition of open-source models’ specificities, and other improvements,” said Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček.

  The European Commission’s consultation represents a key opportunity for Member States, businesses, and experts to shape future EU digital legislation. Its goal is to reduce administrative burdens, increase legal certainty, and boost the competitiveness of Europe’s digital sector. “We successfully involved a broad range of companies in preparing our contribution and believe that simplifying the AI Act will reduce red tape and strengthen Czech firms’ competitiveness,” said Deputy Minister and Government Envoy for Artificial Intelligence Jan Kavalírek. Representatives of Czech industry, including the Confederation of Industry and the Czech AI Association, have also emphasized the importance of clear, predictable rules and proportional obligations to foster innovation in artificial intelligence across Europe.

  Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

• Czech Ministry of Industry Reports Progress in Reducing Bureaucracy for Businesses

  The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) has presented its 2024 Report on Reducing Administrative Burdens for Businesses, summarizing key achievements and outlining upcoming measures to simplify the business environment. The Ministry’s goal is to make entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic more straightforward, digital, and predictable. “The state should be a partner, not an obstacle, for businesses. Over the past year, we have made significant progress toward digitalization, clearer rules, and better communication between the state and entrepreneurs,” said Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček. Among last year’s reforms were the reduction of VAT rates to two levels, the full digitalization of reporting foreign employees, the introduction of unified environmental approvals, and the launch of the e-Sbírka legal portal.

  MPO’s analysis identified 1,870 business obligations arising from 171 legal acts, with more than 74% already manageable electronically. Several flagship projects are being rolled out under the “Business Package,” including the Information Obligations Database (DIP), launching in February 2025, which will allow companies to easily track and export their legal obligations. The Ministry is also preparing a new Business Portal—an integrated digital gateway for communication with public authorities—scheduled for launch by March 2026. Other planned improvements include simplified business licensing, higher limits for unlicensed photovoltaic systems, and further digitalization of administrative procedures. “More than three-quarters of obligations can now be fulfilled electronically, but there is still room to go further,” said Pavel Vinkler, Director of the Business Environment Department.

  Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic