The Texas Mission also Resulted in a Memorandum with the Region’s Largest Chamber of Commerce

The memorandum of cooperation with the largest and most influential business organization in San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, an equivalent of a chamber of commerce, was signed by the Zlín Regional Development Agency (ZRIA) during a business mission to Texas. This marks another step in connecting regional business with the global world of innovation. Through this initiative, ZRIA is systematically creating opportunities for companies from the Zlín Region in Texas, as well as for American companies in the Zlín Region. It is building a two-way bridge, with plans already underway for Texas-based companies to visit the Zlín region as well. The memorandum was signed by Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA, and Jeff Webster, President of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States, Miloslav Stašek, and Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region, David Vychytil.

“This document opens up new and concrete opportunities for cooperation. Based on it, joint projects will be initiated to strengthen the innovation ecosystem on both continents. Companies from the Zlín Region will gain access to incubators and accelerators in San Antonio, while entrepreneurs from San Antonio will have the opportunity to explore the Czech market. Both sides will also work together on sharing know-how, including talent exchange programs that will connect the experience and expertise of both regions. Everything will have a very concrete framework, and together with our partners we will regularly revisit the conclusions and tasks arising from the memorandum,” explained Petr Kubíček, outlining the key points of the agreement.

The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most influential pro-business organization in the region. It works with more than 1,750 members to support the development of San Antonio, a city with a diversified economy and a strong industrial base in aerospace, automotive, cybersecurity, bioscience, and IT.

“This structure naturally complements what we are developing in the Zlín Region. Companies have therefore gained another tool for expanding their networks, seeking partners, investors, and new markets. And for the Zlín Region, this is another step toward becoming a visible player on the global stage,” said Kubíček. He also met with the Mayor of San Antonio, Gina Ortiz Jones, to discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation between the two regions.

The mission to Texas included 13 companies from promising industries that were seeking investors, partners for their supply chains, and exploring possibilities for establishing joint ventures. During visits to the three major Texas cities of Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, the participants gained many valuable contacts and insights.

One of the most remarkable highlights of the mission was the unique opportunity to visit, alongside representatives of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, the production facility of F-35 fighter jets at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The production line, stretching over 1.6 kilometers, is where the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II, is manufactured. The aircraft has a wingspan of nearly 11 meters, a length of approximately 16 meters, and can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 — nearly 2,000 km/h.