The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) is a government-funded allowance organization that works under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. SARIO’s primary objective is to improve the standard of living of Slovak citizens by increasing employment and reducing regional disparities. Mission The mission of SARIO is to promote growth and economic development, and improve the quality of life in Slovakia. Vision SARIO works actively to make the Slovak Republic a country with a well developed economy and an educated population with a high quality of life. In order to achieve these goals, SARIO utilises valuable contacts both in Slovakia and abroad.

1. Newsletter
Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
November / 2011
Slovak companies
on the way to USA
More on page 8
1

2. INVESTMENT NEWS
NEW
INVESTMENT
IN SLOVAKIA
The Slovak Government agreed to provide state assistance in
various forms totalling almost EUR 45.8 million to nine investors.
The supported companies are expected to invest more than
EUR 221 million and open over 1,500 new jobs in Slovakia.
C A
ontinental Matador spel Slovakia wants plant in Namestovo for
Rubber intends to to expand its plastics more than EUR 19 million
modernize and expand pressing plant in and employ 251 people.
production of radial tires Kezmarok for EUR 3.4
L
for passenger cars at its million and open 59 jobs.
plant in Puchov. The project imited Liability Company
Behr Slovakia will build
A
for EUR 153.34 million
is to create 324 jobs. nother plastics pressing a new installation for
manufacturer seated more than EUR 14 million in
in Kezmarok, Plastiflex Namestovo and open 254 jobs.
S
ecop plans to spend EUR Slovakia, plans to grow, as well.
S
21.2 million on a new It will expand its production
production platform capacities by erecting a new ungwoo Hitech Slovakia
for components, compressor plant for more than EUR 3.3 wants to expand its
cases, and assembling of million. The investment stimuli plant in Zilina, producing
compressors in Zlate Moravce. approved reach EUR 1.6 million. auto bodies. The overall
The launch of new technologies investment is estimated at
over EUR 13.8 million and
C
should create 222 jobs.
ompany Johnson should create 110 jobs.
Controls International
wants to expand its
2

3. INVESTMENT NEWS
AUTOMAKERS RULE
T I F
he Bratislava-based plant ncreasing output of the irst Peugeot 208 cars have
Volkswagen Slovakia has automaker KIA Motors rolled off production
launched production Slovakia and opening a new lines of the PSA Peugeot
of another model in the New Mobis plant in Slovakia will Citroen Slovakia carmaker
Small Family series, SEAT create at least a thousand in Trnava. After Peugeot 207
Mii. The Bratislava-based new jobs next year. and Citroen C3 Picasso, this
plant of the automaker is already the third model
Volkswagen is thus the only manufactured in the plant in
plant worldwide producing Slovakia. Its production will
five car brands under one roof. create 800 new jobs from
Together with production of the middle of next year.
all three car brands of the
New Small Family series –
Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat,
it also manufactures SUVs for
Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche.
3

4. INVESTMENT NEWS
ACTION PLAN
APPROVED
The governmental strategy Minerva 2.0
proposes 26 concrete measures to improve
the educational system, research and
development and innovative business.
M
inerva’s goal is as early as next year, with the
to transform setup of a new grant scheme
Slovakia’s economy for young Slovak scientist and
into one based on ideas and an excellence award for top
innovation. The strategy global research teams. A new of European funds, and create
will be implemented technology transfer system a new grant system for applied
primarily by the Ministries will be implemented to ensure research and development.
of Education, Economy, that ideas from laboratories You can find out more at:
Interior, Foreign Affairs, the can be quickly transferred to www.vedomostna-
Academy of Sciences and the business sector. A system ekonomika.gov.sk ,
the academic community of international incubators will http://www.facebook.com/
under the coordination give a foundation for growth strategia.minerva ,
of the Plenipotentiary of young companies with bold
for Knowledge Economy. ideas. In the long run, we will http://blog.etrend.sk/minerva/ ,
Minerva’s implementation conduct a curricular reform, https://twitter.com/#!/
plans were approved by the bring major investment MinervaSR
Cabinet on November 30, into research infrastructure
2011. Outcomes will be seen through a more effective use
4

5. ECONOMY NEWS
ECONOMY
PROGNOSIS
T
he World Bank comprises following states:
prognosticates 3% GDP Bulgaria, the Czech Republic,
growth for Slovakia Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
in 2011 and 1.5% in 2012 in Lithuania, Poland, Romania,
its EU10 Regular Economic Slovakia and Slovenia.
Report. The EU10 region
5

6. ECONOMY NEWS
MAINTAINED BANK´S
RATING
S
tandard & Poor‘s Ratings risk“ in „economic resilience,“
Services said that it is „economic imbalances,“
maintaining its Banking and „credit risk in the
Industry Country Risk economy”. Other countries
Assessment (BICRA) on the in BICRA group ‚4‘ include
Slovak Republic at group ‚4‘. Czech Republic, Malaysia,
Slovakia has „intermediate Israel, and Qatar.
6

7. ECONOMY NEWS
TOP SHOPPING IN
BRATISLAVA
Bratislava is one of the top shopping destinations
in Europe, shows a new survey by the Economist
Intelligence Unit and tax-refund giant Global Blue.
E
xperts assessed the ability price of quality three-course
of cities to attract tourists meal, but it received lower
shopping abroad in the marks for stores since it hosts a
Globe Shopper City Index. The relatively low number of shops
Slovak capital is atop in terms attractive for foreign visitors.
of availability, thanks to the
7

8. SARIO NEWS
SLOVAK COMPANIES ON
THE WAY TO USA
Slovak firms have „The main objective of will receive a unique access to
this project is to create a investors, great mentors and
the option to win mechanism for the promotion assistance in development
recognition in the and development of Slovak of their companies.
Mecca of IT industry in companies based on innovation „Start Up Development
and technology in order to
the U.S. Thanks to the secure their future entry into
Program” is an excellent way
to create a link between Slovak
„Start Up Development the global market. The aim is companies in the technology
Program“ of the also to facilitate the transfer sector and the experience
of know-how, technology
Slovak Investment and and capital by attracting
which provides an area known
for its expertise in Silicon
Trade Development high-tech investments to Valley. It opens the door to
Agency (SARIO) and Slovakia. “ Robert Simoncic, our small and medium sized
SARIO CEO said.
the support of the business entrepreneurs in
the cradle, right in the center
Ministry of Economy of global economy, „ said
The winners, Nicereplay,
four innovative Coverpage, WorkInField, Juraj Miskov, the Minister
companies have a Studentive, emerged from the of Economy of the SR.
chance in the first competition. The innovative The project is scheduled to
projects were judged by run till the end of 2012 and
round to participate the Joint Committee, which it is funded from the state
in an internship in included a company Plug & budget. The budget for
Silicon Valley. Play from the U.S. The first two this project shall be used to
winners will travel to Silicon open the incubator in Silicon
Valley in January 2012, two Valley called STIC - Slovak
more next spring. The winners Innovation Training Centre.
8

9. SARIO NEWS
5TH SLOVAK MATCHMAKING FAIR
Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO)
organized in Žilina the 5th Slovak Matchmaking Fair.
T
he Fair was organized „We support mainly small and and foreign companies from
by SARIO under the medium sized companies that 14 countries. In particular, the
auspices of the Ministry do not have the capacity to participating subjects operate
of Economy of the SR, in export their products. But mostly in electrical engineering,
cooperation with the Žilina their products have the quality energy, engineering,
Self-governing Region and that would be welcome and automotive industry, wood
partner country The Republic accepted abroad, „ said R. processing and plastics.
of Serbia . The Fair is the Šimončič, CEO of SARIO.
annual event which aims to
promote Slovak companies
and support foreign trade. 5th Slovak Matchmaking Fair
attracted in total 139 domestic
9

10. SARIO NEWS
SEMINARS ABOUT SLOVAK
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
T
hese events focused on the introduction Seminars were organized in collaboration
of new SARIO services for established with members of the Investment
investors and provided the opportunity Support Association (ISA).
to discuss the challenges of everyday
business with reputable professionals.
Nitra 15.11.2011
Main topics: Current issues of the Labour Code (Futej & Partners)
and Investment Incentives (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
Žilina 22.11.2011
Main topics: Current trends at the Labor Market (Lugera & Makler)
and the Possibilities of the Real Estate Market (Point Park Properties)
10

11. UPCOMING EVENTS
Business breakfast
with Mr. Juraj Miškov
6 December 2011, Program:
8:30 - 10:10 am 8:30 - 9:00
Registration & breakfast
Crowne Plaza
Bratislava 9:00 - 9:10
Opening speech
Hodžovo námestie 2, Róbert Šimončič, SARIO CEO
816 25 Bratislava
9:10 - 9:30
Business breakfast with Juraj Miškov, the Minister of
Economy of the SR on: Investment environment and
the current business situation in Slovakia
9:30 - 10:00
Questions & Answers
10:00 - 10:10
Closing remarks
Róbert Šimončič, SARIO CEO
Organizers:
11

12. E-mail: marketing@sario.sk
Web: www.sario.sk
This Newsletter is not in any way legally binding. SARIO does not bear any responsibility for damage
caused by inappropriate or incorrect interpretation of information hereby stated.
Source of the pictures: archive SARIO, stock.XCHNG, istockphoto