LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Encouraged by increasing Government support, establishment of energy standards, proposed tax incentives, commitment to EU environmental standards, the Czech Republic environmental and building technologies (EBT) industry is growing fast and it is offering huge and interesting growth opportunities. Particularly, the building technologies industry is riding high with numerous low-cost and low-energy buildings springing up in the major cities. New Country Industry Forecasts from the Frost & Sullivan Economic Research and Analytics (ERA) team addressing the Czech Republic Environmental and Building Technologies Industry reveal that for the building technologies industry there are huge opportunities in retrofitting of building management control systems (BMCS) and integration of various functions with energy-efficient technologies for HVAC and lighting equipment. Domestic laws governing environmental protection are molding the emerging EBT industry. The country’s accession to the EU has caused it to redefine its priorities and accelerate the process of environmental management. The Government has stressed on participation in the EU’s policymaking process, especially for the environmental industry. Domestically, it has been actively promoting environmental impact assessment, water and wastewater treatment, and solid waste management. “The Government encourages new construction in infrastructural projects and adoption of the latest building technologies in such projects,” says Archana Amarnath, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst for the ERA group. “It has been primarily focusing on the lighting equipment segment and the national policy for combating light pollution has successfully influenced industry participants to adhere to quality standards.” The Government has been looking to channel EU funds mainly toward projects aimed at environmental protection. These projects include setting up of water and wastewater treatment systems and upgrades of water supply network. It has also pushed for eco-friendly products and cleaner development mechanisms. The Czech Republic has one of the most stable economies among Central and Eastern European countries. The gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow between 3.0 and 4.5 percent in 2007. After the transition to a market economy, private companies gradually bought many EBT companies that were previously owned by the Government. The industry is now facing a huge wave of privatization and this trend is expected to stimulate demand and improve the quality of environmental equipment and services. There is also a gradual shift in Government policies from ‘end-of-pipe technologies’ to waste minimization and pollution prevention at source.
