Relations between the Czech Republic and Spain have intensified considerably in recent years, currently achieving excellent results and optimal cooperation that is reflected in all areas: social, economic, commercial, and cultural. Both countries are valuable partners in this historic challenge of European enlargement.
Diplomatic relations between Spain and the Czech Republic were established on January 1, 1993, strengthening the bilateral agreements that remain in force today. Among these, the following stand out in the economic and commercial sphere: the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (Madrid, 1980), the Agreement on Economic and Industrial Cooperation (Prague, 1986; Madrid, 1987), and the Agreement for the Reciprocal Protection and Promotion of Investments (Madrid, 1990).
Thus, the 90s saw a remarkable boost to Spanish-Czech relations in all areas, which have gradually intensified to achieve fully satisfactory results. The integration of Spanish culture in the Czech Republic is evident in the presence of the Cervantes Institute in Prague and the growing interest among Czechs in learning Spanish.
Trade between Spain and the Czech Republic has seen a significant increase in recent years. According to Alberto Cerdán, Commercial Counselor at the Spanish Embassy in the Czech Republic, "the trend changed in 2000, when our exports grew by more than 70%." Looking at the total figures for 2002, Spanish exports increased by 7,7% compared to the previous year. As for imports from Spain to the Czech Republic, 2002 saw a 12,1% increase compared to 2001.
The main sector in which trade between the two countries is concentrated is the automotive sector, and the Spanish Autonomous Community that leads this trade is Catalonia with 40% of the national total.
Spanish investments accumulated between 1990 and 2002 reached €43,4 million. Among the main companies that invested in the country were Viscofan (food industry), Grupo Antolin, Viza Automoción, Estampaciones Sabadell (automotive components), Zerco (electrotechnical components), and Soluziona (consultants).
Tourism
The Czech Republic is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing destinations for international tourism. However, tourism in 2002 experienced a slight decline compared to previous years due to the devastating floods, which led to the cancellation of many pre-arranged trips.
According to the Czech National Tourist Office, Spain ranked tenth, with a total of 139.988 tourists, a 10,5% decrease compared to the previous year. Their visits were primarily to Prague (91,9%), followed by the South Bohemian Region (2,6%) and South Moravia (1,4%). For day trips, Spaniards most frequently visited Karlovy Vary.
It is worth noting that South Bohemia, South Moravia and Karlovy Vary were the three regions promoted by the Czech National Tourist Office during the past year.
Furthermore, Spaniards are the second-highest spenders among tourists in the country, after the Japanese, with an average expenditure of €74,4 per person per day. This contrasts sharply with the figures from 2000, when Spaniards ranked seventh among tourists who spent the most money in the country, representing a significant increase in spending by Spanish visitors in just two years.
Regarding the statistics from previous years, the number of tourists from Spain in 2000 (129.413) reflects a notable decrease compared to previous years (169.277 in 1999), coinciding with the period of economic recession experienced by the Czech Republic that year.
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