The Czech Republic has many famous exports, muses Consul-General in Hong Kong, Jaroslav Kanturek.
'Besides famed writer Milan Kundera and tennis player Martina Navratilova, we also have a few traditional Czech brands that have gained international fame such as Budweiser beer and Skoda Auto.'
Apart from some of the country's top national brands, what captures the imagination of people across the globe is the craftsmanship and quality standards associated with crystal and glassmaking.
No other country can be as proud as the Czech Republic in its ability to produce some of the world's finest glassmakers, blowers, cutters, designers and chandelier manufacturers.
The Czech glass and glassmaking industry has built a reputation and privileged position since medieval times.
It has set trends and standards in art and technologies the world over. The oldest known glassworks in the Czech lands date to the end of the 13th century and second half of the 14th century. Extensive regions within Bohemia and Moravia continue to remain centres of Czech glassmaking and manufacturing.