Czech vote gives reprieve for duty-free shops

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With an overwhelming majority last week, the Czech Chamber of Deputies voted down a Senate proposal to phase out duty- and tax-free shops by the end of this year, which was to clear the way for accession to the EU.

A vote was taken to support the original version of a bill to prolong the existence of duty and tax-free shops on the EU border until the end of 2003. The move marks the second defeat of Senate attempts to end duty-free shopping this year.

Manager at duty-free operator Frontera, Maria Jimenez commented, "The mood here is moving against the EU, so the argument against duty-free shops was weakened. We had plans to keep our two stores but convert them to duty-free value. Other operators had the same plans or to completely change the assortment on the same locations. Now duty-free is prolonged until 2003."