Czech Republic looks to strengthen ties

Home Credit Group, an international consumer finance provider and the Czech Republic's biggest investor in China, is one of the frontrunners in boosting investment in the country.

"We aim to partner with Chinese companies to invest in other countries as part of our new strategy after ushering in the Belt and Road Initiative," said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

Home Credit has formed a partnership with Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo Electronics, based in Dongguan, Guangdong province, and they have already increased their joint presence in Vietnam and the Philippines by offering loans to potential buyers of mobile phones.

Investment trend

According to Ma, the Czechs are very positive about boosting cooperation through synergies in each other's megaprojects to implement the initiative.

She said China's investment in the Czech Republic has soared, with more than $1 billion being invested by the end of last year: "It is not significant compared with our investment in larger countries, but it is growing from a low base. Before 2014, China's total investment in the country was less than $300 million."

While helping the Czech Republic realize its ambition of becoming a regional hub for finance and aviation, China is also forging deeper cooperation in industrialization and the advanced manufacturing sector, according to Ma.

"In addition to investment, we should also aim to improve China's industrial competitiveness by further boosting cooperation with the Czech Republic," she said.

Contact the writer at fujing@chinadaily.com.cn