Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region Josef Bělica: Participation in EXPO 2025 has delivered concrete results. We have established cooperation with Japanese companies and institutions
The World Expo presented the Moravian-Silesian Region and the city of Ostrava as confident players in innovation, technology, and sustainable industry. Representatives of the region, led by Governor Josef Bělica, organized an investment seminar at the Czech Pavilion in July 2025, attended by approximately 30 Japanese companies and investors. The event itself was a success, and thanks to subsequent negotiations and newly established contacts, it has the potential to bring new business opportunities to the region—and is already delivering results.
What does it mean for you to be a partner of the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025?
Through this partnership, the Moravian-Silesian Region had the opportunity to present itself to the world as a region undergoing an exceptional and inspiring transformation. From a region long associated with heavy industry, it is becoming a dynamically developing area focused on modern technologies, innovation, and smart solutions. This transformation perfectly aligned with the main theme of the World Expo.
Participation in EXPO 2025 was a strategic opportunity to showcase our potential, strengthen the region’s international reputation, and actively engage new investors. The Moravian-Silesian Region had a dedicated one-and-a-half-day slot in the Czech Pavilion program, and the right target audiences were informed in advance. This proved to be a wise decision, as our investment seminar attracted exceptional interest and the auditorium was filled during our presentation.
Osaka was an ideal place to demonstrate the region’s opportunities—from ready-to-use investment sites and strong universities and research institutions to ambitious plans in digitalization, energy, and smart mobility. The partnership at EXPO 2025 thus represented not only prestige, but above all a key investment in future opportunities and further economic development.
What did the partnership bring you? Did you establish any new cooperation or gain valuable contacts thanks to EXPO?
Participation in the World Expo brought concrete results. We managed to establish cooperation with Japanese companies and institutions, such as JETRO. The support of this institution in organizing the investment seminar and other activities is very important, as it increases the credibility of the event among Japanese companies.
Direct contacts with specific investors and companies in technology, chemical industry, food production, and IT are also very valuable. These entities have expressed interest in cooperation, distribution, or even future investments in our region. For us, EXPO was not just a presentation, but above all the beginning of concrete negotiations and long-term relationships.
What feedback did you receive from Japanese participants regarding your investment seminar and presentation in July 2025?
The feedback was very positive. Approximately 30 Japanese companies and investors attended the seminar, which we consider a very good result. Participants appreciated the concreteness of our presentation, the emphasis on innovation, regional transformation, and readiness for cooperation. Topics related to sustainability, modern industry, and university involvement also attracted strong interest.
We also view positively the active involvement of partners such as JETRO and the participation of the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Japan. Subsequent networking and B2B meetings confirmed that the presentation was not merely formal but led to genuine interest in further cooperation. A concrete example is the connection—and potential future collaboration—between the Japanese company SEIBU JIDO KIKI CO, a manufacturer of specialized machine tools, and Schaeffler, which operates several plants in our region.
Do you observe increased interest from Japanese tourists or investors thanks to EXPO 2025? Are there any early indications? What are your medium-term goals?
The effects of such a major event will fully manifest over a longer period. It is important to consider the cultural specifics of the Japanese environment. Japanese companies and institutions traditionally place great emphasis on trust, personal relationships, and their long-term development. That is why we see participation in EXPO not as a one-off activity, but as the beginning of systematic cooperation that will continue to grow.
In the medium term, we aim to attract new Japanese investors, particularly in advanced high-tech manufacturing, IT, and sustainable technologies, and to develop cooperation between companies and professional organizations. Our goal is to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
How do you think the Czech Republic was perceived in Japan—by the public and business representatives?
The Czech Republic left a very solid impression in Japan. I believe we succeeded in engaging those visitors and companies interested in technological solutions, quality engineering, and a stable European investment environment. For Japanese audiences, technical expertise, reliability, the ability to deliver practical innovations, and a cultural affinity for discipline and quality are particularly attractive.
The Moravian-Silesian Region also places strong emphasis on high-quality international presentation. In addition to the business mission to Osaka, we participated in visits to other business-attractive destinations, such as Seoul in South Korea. These activities help raise awareness of our region, create new contacts, and open opportunities for future cooperation.
We have also launched a dedicated website, www.investnortheastczechia.com, which clearly presents investment opportunities, available sites, and key facts about the region. It is a modern tool that allows us to respond to investor interest quickly and professionally.
How would you evaluate your presentation in Japan?
Our ambition was to present the Moravian-Silesian Region as a successfully transforming region offering excellent conditions for investment and innovation. We focused on our transformation story—from traditional industry to a modern economy—strong research and development background, cooperation with universities, investment opportunities, quality infrastructure, and sustainability projects, including the REFRESH initiative. We also highlighted concrete examples of cooperation and opportunities for foreign partners. It was important to show that we are a region open to innovation, partnerships, and international activities.
How would you describe your region to someone unfamiliar with it?
Today, the Moravian-Silesian Region is a place of contrasts that complement each other perfectly. On one hand, it has a strong industrial tradition; on the other, a dynamically growing sector of modern technologies and innovation.
It is a region that has undergone a fundamental transformation—from heavy industry to a smart economy, research, and development that respects modern environmental requirements. We offer high-quality technical education, top universities, and ready industrial zones.
At the same time, the region is attractive for tourism and leisure activities. We are systematically developing congress tourism, supporting film production, and promoting the region as a destination for experiential tourism. Visitors can enjoy sports, the beautiful nature of the Jeseníky and Beskydy mountains, as well as castles, chateaux, museums, and unique industrial heritage sites.
In short, we are a region with strong roots, confidently looking to the future, offering wide opportunities for work, investment, and quality living.
