At this year's General Assembly of the Confederation of Industry and Transport in Brno, President Petr Pavel delivered a speech emphasizing challenges and the importance of cooperation.

The President pointed out that the world is changing faster than ever, and the Czech economy must adapt. He spoke about the challenges posed by automation, artificial intelligence, and the need to transform the energy sector. According to him, the Czech Republic has strong advantages – its location in the heart of Europe and its industrial tradition – but also faces long-term problems. He mentioned "structural problems in public finances," a lack of available resources, "high energy prices," and "lengthy permitting processes in the construction industry."

President Pavel called for simplifying the conditions for doing business, especially for companies investing in research and innovation. "The national debt must be sustainable," he emphasized, but also added that the Czech Republic must invest more in areas such as defense and energy. "I don't envy the new government this task," he remarked with a touch of irony.

The President dedicated a significant portion of his speech to foreign business missions, which he described as crucial for strengthening the Czech economy and its reputation. "Thanks to these missions, our entrepreneurs have met with hundreds of partners, established contacts, and opened up new opportunities," he said, noting that Czech companies have achieved success from Africa to Japan. It is there that they have offered advanced solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, defense, and space exploration.

The President also focused on the need to connect business, research, and education. He sees Switzerland and Finland as examples to follow. "If we want to succeed, we must do the same," he said, urging schools to develop not only technical skills but also soft skills in students – creativity, critical thinking, and leadership.

In conclusion, he called for unity and dialogue with the new government: "The world is not waiting, and we cannot afford to waste time through trial and error." He described the "Czech Republic 2029" vision as a good foundation for this dialogue.