Slovakia

Country Overview

Slovakia map

Slovakia ► European Union Member since 2004 ► Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million ► Expansion hub for Central Europe ► EU legislative convergence ► Euro currency since 1 January 2009 as the 16th member of the Eurozone ► Strong industrial and cultural tradition (although GDP comes mainly from the tertiary (services) sector, since 2007, Slovakia has been the world's largest producer of cars per capita) ► High levels of education and training (adult literacy rate of 99%)

Slovakia– Hub Three level tendency for a central europe hub: 1 - multinationals open subsidiary companies in order to supply local markets 2 – installed multinationals in several European markets concentrate their back office services for the central Europe (Shared Service Center), such as purchasing or accounts 3 – this approach allows SMEs to equally run their expansion in the region from one single point

Economic bilateral relations evolution

Trade Slovakia Major Customers Germany Czech Republic France Italy Poland Hungary Austria Portugal % Rank % %

Trade Major Slovakia Suppliers Germany Czech Republic Russia Hungary Austria Poland South Korea Portugal % Rank % %

Slovakia Trade with Portugal Slovakia relevance in trade fluxes with Portugal As customer As supplier Source: INE – Instituto Nacional de Estatística Rank

Business Opportunities TRADE and PFDI* Food and beverages (wine) Equipment goods Shoes and garments Construction materials E-government Environmental technologies Renewable energiesTourism Franchising * Portuguese Foreign Direct Investment

Slovakian companies with Portuguese capital Companies Sector Banco Mais, SA. Banking Martifer Slovakia, s.r.o Steel structures Renewable energies KeyPlastics Slovakia, s.r.o Automotive Mota-Engil Slovakia, a.s.Construction

Suggestions ► Serious market research before market aproach ► Give priority to visiting companies facilities ► Strong bet on partnerships with local companies ► Adequate follow-up to previous contacts, show interest and persistence.

AICEP – Overseas Network

Madrid Paris Berlim Londres Estocolmo Varsóvia Moscovo Haia Bruxelas Zurique Viena Budapeste Praga Copenhaga Helsínquia Oslo Dublin Bucareste Offices Business Units Representations Barcelona Milão Ancara Atenas Overseas Network Europe Mérida Vigo

Outside Europe Macau São Francisco Nova Iorque Toronto Cidade do México São Paulo Luanda Praia Buenos Aires Pequim Tóquio Seul Maputo Joanesburgo Xangai Singapura Rabat Argel Santiago do Chile Tunes Nova Deli Dubai Tripoli Overseas Network Caracas Offices Business Units Representations

► 43 Countries (direct presence) ► 14 Business Units ► 19 Offices ► 17 Representations Present situation: July 2009 Overseas Network

Promotional activities 2008 State visit - President of the Republic 1 a 5 de September 2008 (Companies/Sector): - 4 Banking - 4 Energy - 8 Construction / Construction materials - 13 Information Technologies - 4 Tourism - 1 Paper - 2 Food industry - 6 Automotive - 3 Equipment and packaging machinery - 1 Furniture - 1 Health

Promotional activities 2008 State visit - President of the Republic - Participants Banking Energy Construction / Construction materials Information techology Tourism Paper Food industry Automotive Furniture GAMETAL - Metalúrgica da Gandarinha S.A. Equipment and packaging machinery Industrial Associations Health

Maria João Veiga Gomes