Debate continues on Czech duty-free shops

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A critical European Commission report, published earlier this month, on the Czech Republic's readiness for EU membership has sparked off renewed debate on the country's duty-free licences.

As reported in Duty-Free News International, the Republic's law allowing shops to remain open is still in force, as the country's parliament voted for a stay of execution in July. The European Commission had been pressing for the closure of duty-free shops by the end of this year.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has scheduled a debate next Tuesday on the termination of the border duty-free operations. Despite the Senate's rejection twice this year, the lower house passed its version which extended operation of the shops until the end of 2003. The government has again proposed to change the deadline to the end of this year.

Operators have protested against the move, saying it will raise unemployment in the regions in question. According to local press reports, one duty-free operator based in Hevlin this week filed a complaint against the Finance Ministry and customs authorities for abuse of public office. The firm reacted to a recent confiscation of goods and shutdown of some outlets.