Czech Republic - Eu Entry Boosts Exports

Overall glass production in the Czech Republic rose by 17.4% year-on-year to a record high of 1.66m/t in 2004, it was reported by the Czech Association of Glass & Ceramics Industry. Czech glass producers generated a total revenue of CZK 42.6BN for the period, down nearly 6% year-on-year. Glass exports increased by 12% to CZK 41.5BN, boosted by higher demand on foreign markets and by the entry of the Czech Republic into the EU. The country's glass imports went up by 20% to CZK 15.7BN. The Czech glass industry employed 28,441 in 2004, down 12%.