Bratislava, 10 October 2008 — Easier access for Czech and Slovak companies to the to-date protected developed markets of Japan and South Korea will be enabled by the EU Gateway programme provided by the European Commission in cooperation with Deloitte.

„Czech and Slovak firms, together with firms from other EU countries, will have the opportunity to penetrate the previously strictly regulated sectors, specifically information technologies, environmental technologies, construction technologies and healthcare technologies,” says Bronislav Pánek, the partner leading Deloitte’s Central European manufacturing service line based in the Czech Republic.

„Deloitte’s main role will be not only to select and prepare firms for entering the markets, but to provide real help in finding business cooperation.“

— Bronislav Pánek,
The leading partner Deloitte’s CE manufacturing service line, Deloitte Czech Republic

The new programme for helping to establish EU companies’ presence in the mentioned East Asian economies is based on experience from the preceding programme, “Gateway to Japan”, which helped around 2,500 small and medium-sized European firms find partners in Japan in the last few years. The current programme is open to large companies as well.

The programme will help to establish European companies in technological fields in both countries. This is particularly the energy-related and environment fields, construction industry, health services and pharmaceuticals. In Japan, help will also be provided in the areas of information and communication technologies and fashion and interior design, including related fields.

„Deloitte’s main role will be not only to select and prepare firms for entering the markets, but to provide real help in finding business cooperation,” commented Pánek.

Companies wanting to engage in the programme have to have their registered offices in the EU and have operated on the market for at least three to five years. Similarly, their majority shareholder must be from an EU country. The conditions also include sufficient turnover and number of employees, or presenting a business strategy for entry into both Asian markets. Last but not least, the firms’ leading managers must be fluent in English.

For detailed information on the EU-Gateway programme refer to www.eu-gateway.eu.

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/sk/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its member firms.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in 140 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte's 165,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.

Deloitte Central Europe is a regional organization of entities organized under the umbrella of Deloitte Central Europe Holdings Limited, the member firm in Central Europe of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Services are provided by the subsidiaries and affiliates of Deloitte Central Europe Holdings Limited, which are separate and independent legal entities.

In Slovakia, the services are provided by Deloitte Audit s.r.o., Deloitte Tax k.s. and Deloitte Advisory s.r.o. (jointly referred to as “Deloitte Slovakia”) which are affiliates of Deloitte Central Europe Holdings Limited. Deloitte Slovakia is one of the leading professional services organizations in the country providing audit, tax, consulting, risk services and financial advisory services through over 250 national and specialized expatriate professionals.