Euskadi and the Czech Republic Explore Joint Opportunities for Their Industries in Robotics and Automation
The Basque Government’s Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Libor Sečka, held a meeting to strengthen ties between both territories. The meeting took place within the framework of the Euskadi–Czech Republic economic forum “Opportunities in Robotics and Automation”, organized by the Czech Embassy and CzechTrade at the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce. The seminar was supported by Basque Trade & Investment – the Basque Agency for Internationalization of the SPRI Group – and brought together representatives from twenty Basque industrial companies, as well as organizations such as AFM, BRTA – Basque Research and Technology Alliance, and STECH.
The event also included the participation of Nagore Bonilla, Director General of Basque Trade & Investment, and the Secretary General of the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce, Mikel Arieta-Araunabeña.
As the Minister highlighted, “Euskadi and the Czech Republic are important partners with a long history of collaboration. The Czech Republic has been a traditional destination for Basque companies since the 1990s, with more than 30 Basque firms currently established in the country. In 2024, Euskadi exported goods worth 460 million euros to the Czech Republic, making it one of our most significant export destinations, ahead of other key markets such as Japan, India or South Korea.”
The relationship between Euskadi and the Czech Republic spans 24 years since the signing of the first agreement in 2001 by Prime Minister Ibarretxe. In 2002, the Basque Government opened its commercial office in Prague, one of the oldest in an External Network that now includes 23 offices providing services to over 90 countries worldwide.
“Faced with a trade war shaped by tariff blows from the White House, we are clear that our future depends on more industry and more Europe,” Jauregi stated. “At this meeting we have seen several examples of collaboration between both countries that strengthen our industry and make it fertile ground for robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing. These business projects build bridges between Euskadi and the Czech Republic and reinforce the European project. In the face of global uncertainty, this collaboration gives us reason for optimism. Behind each one of these shared projects are companies, people, trust, and a shared commitment to the future. In the end, this is the foundation of the European Union.”
