Czech companies in the defence industry will be able to obtain investment loans from commercial banks using state guarantees provided by the Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation (EGAP) in the form of insurance for these loans. The programme of support for the defence industry was approved by the government of Petr Fiala at a meeting on Wednesday 19 March 2025. It also approved the provision of state subsidies for the organisation of three major sporting events on the territory of the Czech Republic in the coming years, namely the MotoGP Czech Grand Prix in Brno from 2025 to 2027, the Alpine Skiing World Cup races in Špindlerův Mlýn in 2026 and the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2029.
The government approved defence industry support programme, which through EGAP will make it easier for companies in the defence industry to obtain loans for investment in further development. Thanks to the programme, these firms will be able to obtain state-guaranteed insurance for long-term investment loans provided by commercial banks and to strengthen their production capacities.
"Supporting the domestic defence industry through EGAP's investment insurance is another step towards strengthening the Czech Republic's defence capability in addition to increasing defence spending. At the same time, we support a change in the approach of the European Investment Bank towards the defence industry, so that it becomes more involved in this sector. We are sending a clear message to banks and investors that projects in this industry are a great opportunity to develop modern production capacities and increase the competitiveness of our companies in the global market," said Prime Minister Petr Fiala. "Our aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, as they have very difficult access to investment financing," he reminded.
At the same time, the government approved a special-purpose capital increase of CZK 500 million, which will make it possible to insure loans worth up to CZK 5 billion. "This is another concrete step we have taken to create better conditions for our defence industry. It is also crucial that this support programme can be launched very quickly, practically within a few weeks," added the Prime Minister. Further details are contained in press release of the Ministry of Finance.
The government also approved support for the organisers of three major sporting eventsto be held in the Czech Republic. These are the three editions of the Czech Grand Prix (2025 to 2027) in Brno, which will be part of the MotoGP World Championship. The organizing Autoclub of the Czech Republic will receive up to 100 million crowns each year from the National Sports Agency (NSA). The NSA will support the organisation of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Spindleruv Mlyn in 2026 with CZK 56,330,600 for the Czech Ski Association, and the Czech Olympic Committee will receive up to CZK 175 million from the Agency for the organisation of the European Youth Olympic Festival 2029 from 2027 to 2029.
In all three cases, these are events of extraordinary importance, which will help promote the Czech Republic in the world, but also have significant economic potential for the region and, ultimately, a significant benefit for public budgets.
The government also decided on identification of another deposit of strategic importance in the Czech Republic. This status has been newly granted to a deposit of high-purity battery-grade manganese in the Chvaletice area. The battery-grade manganese that has been explored at the site is a strategic and critical raw material under the European Parliament and Council Regulation. Its extraction in the Chvaletice area will once again strengthen the Czech Republic's self-sufficiency in raw materials and will also have a considerable financial benefit for the state budget and the budgets of the municipalities concerned and the Pardubice Region. This is estimated at CZK 627 million per year.
The government also dealt with the proposal of the Karlovy Vary Region Council to issue a law on the establishment of the Karlovy Vary Region College. After discussion, the Cabinet took a disapproving position on the draft legislation, mainly because of the fundamental flaws in the bill. However, the Government supports the intention to expand the offer of higher education in the Karlovy Vary Region by a non-university public university. It has therefore instructed the Minister for Education, Youth and Sports to assess the merits of establishing a completely new higher education body in comparison with the offer of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen.
The government also approved Regulation on details of registration for special long-term residencewhich, following the adopted amendment to the law referred to as "lex Ukraine MV", sets out, among other things, the partial parameters of the conditions required for registration for special long-term residence, in particular the required amount of income, which has been set at CZK 440,000 per year for individuals. Special long-term residence is a voluntary alternative to the previously used institution of temporary protection for those refugees who are economically self-sufficient and integrated into society and know that they will want to live in the Czech Republic for a longer period of time. Applicants for special long-term residence must have a valid travel document, be of good character and have secured housing, and demonstrate economic self-sufficiency and independence from the benefit system. A sufficient degree of adaptation to the Czech environment, coupled with a length of stay in the territory of more than two years, and, in the case of children, fulfillment of compulsory school attendance, is also a prerequisite. More in press release of the Ministry of the Interior.
government.gov.cz/gnews.cz - RoZ
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