Industrial brownfield owners have asked Zeman for support

Ostrava - Owners of unused industrial areas, so-called brownfields, have asked President Miloš Zeman, who today began his visit to the Moravian-Silesian Region, for support. They are not satisfied with the state’s current approach to this issue. In 2002, the government promised 20 billion crowns for the revitalization of areas affected by mining and metallurgical activities in the Moravian-Silesian Region. Although the interdepartmental committee has gradually approved almost 300 projects, only 83 have been completed and another 75 are currently being addressed. Eva Kijonková informed ČTK about this on behalf of the owners today.
    "There is a clear lack of attention from the state dedicated to the issue of industrial brownfields in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The national strategy is not being implemented, and there is no fulfillment of environmental obligations from privatization contracts," the owners of the industrial areas stated in a text they presented to the president. According to Kijonková, among them are Vítkovice Machinery Group, Dalkia ČR, ArcelorMittal Ostrava, OKK Koksovny, Asental Group, and Diamo. "Their brownfields together represent an area of approximately 1300 hectares. In the Moravian-Silesian Region, and especially in Ostrava, hundreds of areas burdened with environmental risks remain after industrial activities," Kijonková noted.
    According to the brownfield owners, only seven billion crowns from the funds promised by the government in 2002 have been used so far across the entire region. "More than a hundred projects are waiting for the announcement of public procurement, in some cases for several years," Kijonková stated.
    The government has also promised another 17.4 billion crowns for Ostrava for the elimination of old environmental burdens during the privatization of companies. By the end of last year, only 4.65 billion crowns had been utilized from this amount, according to Kijonková.
    The initiative was also supported by the government commissioner for the Moravian-Silesian and Ústí Regions, Jiří Cienciala. "Revitalization projects are one of the significant measures to support employment. Revitalization work employs hundreds of people, and the subsequent business use of the areas can create thousands of jobs," said Cienciala.
    The owners warn that if the state does not purposefully engage with the issue, investors will turn to simpler and cheaper options for utilizing green spaces, and brownfields will continue to remain an environmental burden.