Support for industrial design falls within the portfolio of the governmental agency CzechTrade, which since 2008 has run a project called “Design for Export”. Design for Export provides Czech businesses with discounted services from designers in the database of industrial and product designers – the CzechTrade Directory of Designers. It promotes Czech industrial design outside the country and organises professional education in the field of design management. A key part of its work involves internal projects, such as Design for Competitiveness, where companies have an opportunity to develop and innovate their products in collaboration with professional industrial and product designers. This project also promotes Czech industrial design at international exhibitions and fairs.
CzechTrade also supports the promotion of other Czech businesses at selected exhibitions and fairs abroad. In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) runs the programme for the Czech Republic’s official participation in international fairs and exhibitions titled ‘Joint Participation in Specialised Exhibitions and Fairs Abroad’. In conformity with the Export Strategy of the CR this programme focuses on the export of goods and services with high GVA and tries to ease the process for Czech companies (especially small and medium-sized ones) trying to expand into foreign markets.
Through its grant competitions the MC supports the International Design Festival Designblok. Each year the Academy of Design of the CR hands out the Czech Grand Design Awards, which recognise professional achievement in the fields of design, fashion, jewellery, photography, illustration, and graphic design (see also 3.5.1).
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