Petr Michal: The city lives by openness, not by prohibitions
“Prague has set the framework from which it can make business in relation to third parties, typically banks. The council helped entrepreneurs here. If they did nothing, they would objectively be at a disadvantage or even on the defensive in a few years, “said Michal, who also agrees with the existence of some pedestrian zones in the center of Prague as a good example of saying:” The road to hell is usually paved with good intentions. “
After the craftsman, a lawyer succeeds the Prague Chamber of Commerce. Why you?
The basic answer is – because they chose me. I have been active in HK the capital for ten years. Most recently, I was on the board of directors as vice chairman. My predecessor, Roman Pommer, had a long and professional career in secondary vocational education, specifically apprenticeship. The view of it went through a certain renaissance to the current relatively strong municipal support for the fields that we desperately need to get alive. One of the reasons for the change in the head of the Prague HK was the need for Roman to devote himself fully to supporting the new legislation at the national level. He is exactly the same vice president of HK CR. So far, my election has not made any drastic changes, it is part of a continuous process. In addition to continuity, however, I would also like to “light up topics” that have not yet shone.
I’m with them.
I would start with what I think is working very well now. On the one hand, it is the already mentioned apprenticeship education or the support of Prague education as such. The Chamber is the main partner in the IKAP project for the capital. In the past, we distributed about a quarter of a billion crowns for the equipment and development of Prague secondary schools through the HK of the capital. We are currently signing IKAP II with similar amounts of money. The administrative and technical activity of the chamber greatly helps in areas where the municipality itself cannot act as a founder. We ensure that money flows into education.
So what would you like to “start” today?
We have a newly occupied and revitalized transport section. Its chairman is former Minister of Transport Vladimír Kremlík. Since the beginning of September, we have managed to organize two round tables in this part. Above all, this year and next year we would like to reach a platform or a place of debate where one could really systematically and continuously talk about Prague transport, its development and individual interconnections. I don’t think this has happened at all so far. Rather, we talk for a while partially about the subway, for a while about the circuit, then again about the need to change parking zones or the introduction of tolls for cars to enter the center. Individual topics are taken out of context. I see the potential great contribution of our organization in organizing such debates. It should still not be a one-time affair, but a functional series. So that the topic crystallizes not only in front of us and in front of the participants in those processes, but also in front of the general public.
Who specifically should take part in such a debate?
Certainly there can be no lack of an investor’s representative, which in the case of the capital is usually the Technical Administration of Communications. Furthermore, representatives of financing organizations. In Prague conditions, this is most often the municipality, in many cases also the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure, from which it is possible to pay for non-state constructions. I would also include external financing in this category, whether from a bank or European Union funds. Designers then have an absolutely irreplaceable role.
What are they essential for you?
In general, we should rather complain about their work. I often hear the question why this or that road is so big, of poor quality, oversized, etc. But no one knew much about the intensive public debate with the designers. It’s a shame, because they have something to say. In addition, it is exactly ten moments when one can oppose and “enter” the project in some way. I see the contractor as another necessary group of participants in the discussion. If we really look at who is able to make transport constructions in Prague today, we are not in an infinite number of subjects. And in their presence, it is necessary to state aloud in advance what the priorities are. In the end, politicians and architects cannot be overlooked.
Why do you still mention it?
Intentionally. The role of the Institute of Planning and Development is, in my view, very suitable and beneficial for the city in general. A fully balanced and clear dialogue should be established between IPR and policy. But it should be IPR that tells politicians what to do. However, if politicians have a mandate to do so, they should instead give their commitment to IPR. In addition, the question is whether politicians communicate correctly, follow the instructions from voters. Do we want more trams or parking spaces on the streets? IPR has an opinion on this, but what do politicians call it? I personally don’t know. I would like to start and lead the debate on this. But we still have a whole second “package” of topics that deserve to “shine through”. In our organization, it mainly affects the so-called energy section. We would like to strengthen the role of the document called the Prague Climate Plan much further.
Prague climate plan
Don’t you consider him, as the Prague ODS, unrealistic and ill-considered?
I will try some quick comments. I have no doubt that the Prague Climate Plan was created as a collective work of several groups of experts in order to relieve political representations of the task they feel from the public – the need to stay with the environment. Which opposition approved the climate plan of the council very primarily criticized, we as the Chamber of Commerce, on the contrary, supported this project with the full weight of our authority. This plan is a framework or basis that is broad enough, non-discriminatory and does not exclude anyone from future debate or future development.
Can you be more specific?
Today, when you need a company or city to borrow money for something, it needs “branding” for the given investment plan. If, as an entrepreneur, I can handle branding that corresponds to the principles, concepts and goals of the climate plan as a political declaration, then it is gaining a much better position in the current banking market. Both in terms of the chances of granting a loan and its conditions. At the beginning, it was probably not even said so openly politically, on the contrary, it is a completely indispensable effect of the Prague climate plan. Therefore, we will certainly participate in the implementation and development of the goals offered by the plan. We could play the role of moderator here between companies, banks and politics.
Who does the Prague Chamber actually represent? Who are its members?
In principle, all major players in Prague across disciplines. Starting with ČEZ, through a transport company, through all major banks to the last self-employed person with a refreshment stand in Horní Počernice. Whoever signs up is our acquaintance. It follows that all types of business activities need to be taken care of equally.
In which fields and localities of Prague do you perceive the hardest impact of a pandemic?
I do not think at all that it was the temporary closure of establishments and the fact that our members lost customers. We now see that the business environment is changing much faster than politicians are able to respond. Due to its character, Prague has one of the highest measures of pedestrian zones in the world. The pedestrian zone is a great thing. But we all know that where it is, the structure of services, prices, shops is changing… First the friends disappear, then gradually employees, residents and to some extent dead zones arise. He mentions the area around Franz Kafka Square as an example. Today, there are only strong restaurants, a few small services and then nothing. In our opinion, due to the number of regulations, the connection of the center by the tram network is also progressing too slowly. We have recently started a debate on this topic with the municipality.
Meaningfulness of transport measures
What are you city officials?
We asked if it was time to reopen the “hatches” in specific places and tell people – come live in the center. We would like us to think politically about the meaningfulness of the various transport measures, including those pedestrian zones. The city is changing part of this in a virtual environment. But that does not apply to those of our members who have physical establishments. The degree of regulation by the local government seems to me to be more unpleasant after the covido than before it. And after the ebb of tourists, we have a very difficult task ahead of us to return life in the center to some natural ways. I am not a fundamentalist, but in general I consider the current level of regulation to be too great. Prague’s building regulations are certainly godly. However, according to them, the prestigious Vinohrady district could no longer be created today. In a similar vein, I say: Let’s regulate the passage through the center when they have alternatives. In my opinion, there are few today.
What do you think the above-mentioned outflow of tourists with business in Prague does in the longer term?
Tourism-related services will definitely have to change and the only question is to what extent. Let’s talk about what incoming (acquired tourism) should look like. How covid affected the entire segment of business trips and congresses. I don’t have specific data, but I’m not sure that all global companies will want to continue to stay only on Teams or Webex platforms. If they want to go somewhere, there is a natural chance and opportunity to make room for them to come to Prague. Another potential is the transformation of so-called beer tourists into tourists with “higher added value”. The debate about the concert hall has been going on for perhaps three terms. Today it looks like she could be at the Vltavská station. I think it doesn’t matter where it will be, but mainly whatever it is. Thanks to this, it is exactly the type of institution that attracts many cultured visitors. Such Salzburg is a small town, but it lives very significantly with its cultural reputation and production. When it comes to something, it’s in terms of airport traffic without exaggerating the global city. I see the third area with great potential in the love of the so-called expats.
What attracts and discourages Prague?
Quite a few people who used to live comfortably in Western Europe now tend to exchange their original residence for Prague. But we should also “take it” in that direction. We have a client who was considering moving Central European headquarters from Zurich to Prague. In the end, he didn’t do it because he didn’t find enough villa-type houses for key management in Prague. There is only Hanspaulka in Prague and then nothing. If, for example, we relax the zoning plan a little, then those people will come and invest and spend here. The city lives off openness, not bans.
According to recent reports, the IT sector lacks tens of thousands of staff. What do you think it says?
I don’t know the specific numbers. But I think we can almost consider that as good news. In my opinion, this sector is the fastest growing in the Czech Republic. And I think we’re number one on a global scale. There is either stagnation or modest growth everywhere, but we are clearly on the exponential. It is a kind of miracle and a wonderful success, which was founded in the 80’s by our fathers. After all, the history of such Avasts, which are now sold for 160 billion crowns, dates back to 1988. Companies such as Průša Research and the like draw on a deep mushroom that originated in the early days in Dejvice around CTU. If we are world champions in something, far ahead of Singapore and at the level of Silicon Valley, it is the IT performance realized here. And in the case of the Czech Republic, this means especially in Prague.
How to deal with this capital?
Realize it and say to yourself: Wow, we can do it. And do more. Now I mean mainly schools.
Petr Michal
He was born in 1980 in Prague. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Charles University and also studied law in Berlin. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Capital City of Prague since 2012, until now he has held the position of Deputy Chairman. Petr Michal is also a lawyer and partner in the law firm Císař, Češka, Smutný, and also acts as an insolvency administrator. The board of directors of the Bohemian Heritage Fund or the YPO organization in Zurich is also desirable. He is married and has 3 children.