Investment incentives last year went mostly to the Moravian-Silesian and South Moravian regions

Last year, the Czech Invest business and investment support agency supported a total of 53 projects worth more than CZK 25 billion. Most of them went to the Moravian-Silesian and South Moravian regions, 8 projects each. Compared to 2020, which was strongly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, there was a twofold increase in investment projects. In the Moravian-Silesian Region, more than CZK 2.6 billion was invested last year with the support of Czech Invest, creating 570 new jobs. 

As in the previous year, two thirds of the projects were high added value investments. This means technology-oriented investments or investments linked to research and development. Most of the investment projects were pledged by companies already established in the Czech Republic - 39 projects that expand the companies' existing activities.

"In 2021, we focused mainly on attracting investments that are oriented towards research and development of new technologies. We have thus managed to negotiate new investments of CZK 25.25 billion, which will create more than 4,000 jobs. We are also registering high interest in investment incentives and for the first time in history the majority of applicants were small and medium-sized enterprises, which was our goal," says Patrik Reichl, Director General of CzechInvest.

Compared to the previous year, when the share of new investment projects increased slightly, expansions by Czech-based companies still predominated significantly, accounting for almost two-thirds of the projects. New investors came mainly from the United States or Germany.

"Foreign direct investment in the Czech Republic showed a significant recovery in 2021, which follows global developments. The decision to locate an investment is a long-term process and we are still negotiating with many investors who decided to invest after the main wave of the pandemic. We are also registering increased interest in investment incentives. Many companies are changing their supply chain strategy and moving closer to clients in Europe. However, some of the planned investments may be affected by the current war in Ukraine," adds Eva Jungmannová, Director of the Investment and Foreign Activities Division.