Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu České republiky) is a central government ministry responsible for shaping and implementing the nation’s industrial, commercial, trade, energy, and economic policies. It was established in 1992 and has its headquarters in Prague. 

Core Functions and Responsibilities

• Industrial and Trade Policy: Develops and implements national industrial policy, trade policy, and foreign economic policy, including coordination with the European Union’s internal market frameworks.

• Energy and Raw Materials: Oversees strategy and regulation related to energy production, energy security, mineral resources, and integrated raw materials policy.

• Business Promotion & Investment: Promotes business and investment, especially within manufacturing, industrial research and development, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including utilisation of European funds.

• Trade & Export Support: Coordinates foreign trade policy, export promotion, and economic cooperation with states and international organisations (e.g., OECD, WTO, EFTA).

• Consumer Protection & Internal Trade: Supervises internal trade practices and consumer protection in line with European consumer policy.

• Standards and Quality Control: Administers technical standardisation, metrology, state quality control, postal services, and certain aspects of electronic communications.

Organisational Role

The ministry coordinates legislative preparation and implementation of European laws in its areas of authority, concludes bilateral and multilateral economic agreements, and oversees several subordinate agencies such as:

• Czech Trade Inspection

• Business and Investment Development Agency (CzechInvest)

• Czech Trade Promotion Agency (CzechTrade)

• Office for Technical Standardization, Metrology and State Quality Control

• State Energy Inspection

• Czech Metrology Institute

Strategic Aims

A key objective of the ministry is to enhance the competitiveness of the Czech economy by supporting enterprise development, innovation, exports, and foreign direct investment, particularly in manufacturing and strategic sectors.

Leadership

The ministry is led by the Minister of Industry and Trade, a cabinet-level official appointed by the government of the Czech Republic.