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Preparations for Czech participation at EXPO 2005 Aichi

Prague - At its meeting today the government of the Czech Republic approved the draft concept and budget for the participation of the Czech Republic at the General World Exhibition EXPO Aichi 25.3 - 25.9.2005, which was submitted by JUDr. Cyril Svoboda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Commissioner General of Czech participation Mr. Vladimír Darjanin.

As opposed to the original schedule there has been a time slippage as the result of which certain preparation activities have not yet been realised. The main causes of this were the reworking of the budget, changes in the composition of the government and the postponement of the discussion and approval of the budget by the Czech government due to the flooding last year.
The general cuts in the state budget as a result of this situation also had a significant impact on the final level of the budget for Czech participation. The original budget figures were reduced by over 50% and the total is now lower than the budget for EXPO 2000 in Hannover. The overall value of the budget was approved at a maximum level of 300 million CZK. A relatively large amount, in comparison with the last General World Exhibition in Hannover, is accounted for by transport to distant Japan.

Despite the temporary situation that lasted until the approval of the budget the Office of the Commissioner General has succeeded in achieving the following planned objectives:

• the establishment of the functioning Office of the Commissioner General,
• the forging of successful contacts with the organisers of EXPO 2005 in Japan during two foreign trips,
• close and friendly contacts with the Japanese ambassador in the Czech Republic and the Czech ambassador in Japan,
• submission of the budget to the Czech government,
• completion of the tender process for the logo and company design of Czech participation,
• the announcement of a tender for the editorial production of a quarterly,
• the setting up of an advisory board that will participate in the basic conceptual elements, in the evaluation of tenders and in important approval processes,
• the conclusion of a sponsorship agreement between the Office of the Commissioner General and Škoda Auto,
• the establishment of co-operation and the preparation of agreements with media partners
• visit of the commissioner to various district commissioners in the CR

Over the next six months a tender will be announced for the selection of a PR agency to provide continuos communication to the media and public. A tender process will also be announced for the layout, schedule and design of the Czech exhibition. In the near future the informative web site of Czech participation will be launched at address www.expo2005.cz

Spring visit of the Commissioner General to Japan

Between 20.3 and 21st April 2003 the General Commissioner will again visit Japan. During this trip he will continue discussions with representatives of the Japanese Association and other entities, in particular, regarding the location of the pavilion, the Czech National Day, elements of the Czech season and will establish contacts with cultural organisations. Another purpose of this visit is for the Commissioner General to meet with the governors of the individual prefectures of Honshu Island.

For further information, please contact:

Martina Hončiková
Public Relations Manager
Rytířská 31
110 00 Praha 1,
tel.: +420 221 610 192
GSM: +420 731 187 675
fax: +420 221 610 237
e-mail: m.honcikova@expo2005.cz

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