Dan Pražák Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is currently in Davos, Switzerland, where he attended the World Economic Forum. The goal of the trip is to introduce the Czech Republic The Country for The Future project to the world. On that occasion, the Prime Minister met with several statesmen and other important personalities of the technological world, including Tim Cook. The result of the meeting between the Prime Minister of the Czech Government and the director of Apple is the creation of a coordination group for the construction of a new Apple Store in Prague.
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Babiš first showed off a photo on Facebook of the meeting, where he shakes hands with the director of the Californian company. The meeting with Cook started at 14:00 p.m. and was supposed to last a few tens of minutes at most - the Prime Minister already had a discussion scheduled for 14:30 p.m. The Czech Prime Minister presented the project Czechia - Country of the Future to Tim Cook. Among other things, Apple's CEO was also enthusiastic, that the Czech Republic has more than 500 scientists in the field of artificial intelligence.
But the next part of the meeting was even more interesting. Babiš offered the director of Apple to build a new Apple Store in the Czech capital. Apparently, the building of the Ministry for Regional Development on the Old Town Square would be ideal for a brick-and-mortar Apple store. Cook's reaction was surprising to say the least and especially positive, as he immediately put together a coordination team on the spot for the preparation of the new Apple Store in Prague.
"I just met with one of the most influential figures in global business, Tim Cook, the boss of Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),. On behalf of the Czech side, Karel Havlíček, who is responsible for science and research, and Vladimír Dzurilla, who is responsible for digitization, also took part in the meeting. Together, we solved the economic situation of our country, but also of the entire European Union. Tim Cook praised the results of our economy. I also presented him with our new vision, which you already know. Czech Republic: The Country for The Future ?? Tim Cook was absolutely thrilled that we have more than 500 scientists in the field of artificial intelligence in the Czech Republic. I also offered Apple to build an Apple Store in Prague. It is only in ten European countries, one is directly in the Louvre in Paris. A building, for example, would be perfect for this Ministry for Regional Development on Staromák. Tim Cook reacted immediately and a coordination team for the preparation of the new Apple Store in Prague was formed on the spot."
It remains to be seen how long it will take for Apple to really get things moving and an Apple Store in our capital will begin to emerge. It was already speculated in the corridors that the official Apple store should be built on Wenceslas Square. The plan ultimately fell through, and according to our information from last year from sources familiar with the situation, the Apple Store should not be in the Czech Republic for at least a few more years. However, it is possible that Andrej Babiš hastened Apple's plans and the brick-and-mortar store with the bitten apple logo will be here sooner than we originally expected. However, we must not forget that for the time being only a coordination group has been created
I just met one of the most influential figures in world business, Tim Cook, the head of Apple. For the Czech side...
Posted by Andrej Babis of Thursday, January 24, 2019
During the World Economic Forum, Babiš also met with John Donovan, CEO of the American telecommunications company AT&T, in addition to the aforementioned project, Babiš managed to discuss the vision of Digital Czech Republic, which Donovan was reportedly enthusiastic about. Among other things, the development of telecommunications networks and the construction of a 5G network on the territory of the Czech Republic were also discussed, for which a band auction is already planned for this year, in which domestic operators will participate.
In addition to Donovan and Cook, Andrej Babiš also met with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro and Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák. From 16:15 p.m., he still has a scheduled meeting with IBM Vice President Martin Schroeter. During tomorrow, Babiš will have a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and will also meet VISA's Executive Director for European Operations Charlotte Hogg.
