1. Czech Republic Basic Information

2. Location geographical centre of Europe area 78 866 sq. km The highest point of elevation - Mt. Snezka (1 602 m above sea level) The lowest point of elevation - near Hrensko where the River Labe leaves Czech territory (117 m above sea level) Capital city – Prague (1,2 mil. citizens)

4. Economics Currency – Czech Crown (1 crown – 100 hellers) 1 EUR = 30 CZK 1 USD = 24, 68 CZK GDP

5. Moravian-Silesian Region Basic Information

6. Geographic and demographic data North-east part of Czech Republic Borders with Poland (north, east) and Slovakia (east) 6 districts (Bruntal, Frydek-Mistek, Karvina, Novy Jicin, Opava and Ostrava) 5555 sq. km, 1,3 mil. inhabitants

7. The social infrastructure 3 universities VSB-TU Ostrava (technical and economic education; 6 faculties) University of Ostrava (natural, human sciencies, health care; 4 faculties) Silesian University (economic, natural, human sciencies; 2 faculties)

8. Regional centre of culture 15 museums 8 theatres Hundreds of public libraries; State Science Library Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra National heritage city zones – Novy Jicin, Stramberk, Pribor

9. Industry Main employer in the region Coal mining, metallurgy, heavy engineering Chemical, pharmaceutical, electrotechnical Reducing industry Coal mining (1989-2000 reduced by 50%) Steel industry (1989-2000 reduced by 80%) Privatisation process 1990-1995 reduction of state-owned companies, quick rise of private companies

10. The transport infrastructure Road communication system E 75: Opava-Ostrava-Cesky Tesin-Mosty near Jablunkov (border with Slovakia) E 462: Novy Jicin-Frydek-Mistek-Cesky Tesin D 47: motorway; still under construction Railway systém Being modernized nowadays European Transit Corridor VI in progress Air transport Ostrava-Mosnov international airport Several small airports with grass runways

11. Partner Searches for FP6 Bochemie s.r.o. CDV Janites s.r.o. LinuxBox s.r.o. OU-IC OU-Servis Vitkovice – R & D s.r.o.