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1 KEY FACTS & FIGURES KEY FACTS & FIGURES

WELCOME SAEI

2 3 CONTENTS EDITORIAL

Key facts & figures Country profile 1 Geography Macroeconomic overview Industries Human capital Dear Reader, incorporation, taxes, accounting, legal issues, hiring We are delighted that you chose this guide as a source employees, translation services, insurance, applying for of information for your potential business ventures incentives, banking, logistics and forwarding, finding an How can SAEI help you? in . The guide has been carefully written with industrial or commercial property for your business, the assistance of BDO Slovak Republic to reflect the business partners search, M&A, JV, etc. Basic information core aspects of the Slovak business environment. Remember, what matters to you, matters to us. Vision We that it will convince you about the immense While the publication covers the relevant areas and care 2 opportunities our country has to offer. has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness Activities The Slovak Republic is a young country, strategically and reliability of the content, it is not intended to situated in the heart of . It has a population of provide the comprehensive information necessary to 5.5 million inhabitants. Slovakia is a member state of the make investment decisions. If any of these issues spark Members of SAEI , Euro Zone, Schengen Area, The United your interest, please, do not hesitate to get in touch with BDO Nations, OECD and WTO. our professionals at the Slovak Association of Exporters It takes extraordinary vision and courage to explore and Importers. We will be happy to tell you more about 3 bnt attorneys in CEE opportunities outside your comfort zone. We believe in the opportunities in our home country. Balanced HR the power of great ideas – the building blocks of success investin.sk stories of today. However, in order to develop ideas IMG into real business, one needs the talent, skill and expert Coface knowledge of specialized professionals. The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers is a non-profit ARRS Forwarding organization. Our members and associates are here to Tetras provide you with support in any way you need for doing Ernest Rakonczay business in Slovakia. This includes market research, President setting up your presence in Slovakia, including company The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers

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4.0% GDP growth in 984 EUR Only V4 country* 2018 with estimated average gross to have adopted 4.1% in 2019 monthly salary EURO currency

EU, OECD and NATO Trusted business member state environment

20% VAT standard Strategic Proven track rate 10%, special location within record of S&P rating: rate for certain CEE high-value A+ stable goods and services investments

Developed 21% Highest infrastructure corporate labour FDI incentive tax productivity scheme among V4 World countries leader in car Double production 12 days taxation per capita to start a avoidance 48.8% public business treaties debt to GDP ratio in 2018

35 universities

*V4 stands for the Visegrad Group, a group of countries comprising Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.

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Key facts & figures Country profile Geography Macroeconomic overview Industries Human capital 1

8 9 KEY FACTS FACTS& FIGURES & FIGURES KEY FACTS & FIGURES

General People Official name: Slovak Population: 5.443 million Republic Active workforce: Area: 49,036 km2 2.754 million Time zone: GMT + 1 Birth rate: 1.07 per 1,000 Currency: EUR people per year Official language: Slovak Average gross monthly salary: 984 EUR Retirement age: 62,5 years

Country profile Slovak Republic is undoubtedly one of the most attractive International Political investment destinations in Europe. Once nicknamed the , Slovakia reaps the benefits of strong underlying Organizations Situation fundamentals, such as its highly skilled and educated workforce, well developed infrastructure and political stability. Membership Type of government: Parliamentary democracy European Union Electoral system: Euro Area Proportional representation DID YOU KNOW? Schengen Area, V4 The staff of Slovak and Slovenian embassies meet OECD, WTO, NATO, once a month to exchange the wrongly-addressed mail. and others

Source: Statistical office of the Slovak Republic

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POLAND Warsaw 450 km Krakow 100 km CZECH

REPUBLIC Žilina

Poprad Prague 260 km Prešov UKRAINE Trenčín Košice Kiev 815 km Banská Bystrica

Zvolen

Nitra Geography DID YOU KNOW? Slovakia is home to one of Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, bordered Europe’s most beautiful towns. by five countries – Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Slovak cities are in close proximity to Vlkolínec is one of the 30 most HUNGARY other internationally recognised hubs, such as Vienna, beautiful towns in Europe. Vienna 70 km Budapest, Prague or Krakow, which only further underlines the favourability of the central location, offering access to AUSTRIA 350 million customers within a 1,000 km radius. It is easily Budapest 50 km accessible by air, having two main international airports in Bratislava and Košice and another three global hubs Existing highway in Vienna and Budapest accessible within two hours and Highway in construction Prague within four hours from the capital city. Planned highway Mobile services Mobile Network Coverage Data Connection Expressway Provider Population Popul. 4G Download Upload Planned expressway Orange 99.8% 92.4% 225 Mbps 50 Mbps Main railway Slovak Telekom 99.0% 93.6% 375 Mbps 50 Mbps

O2 98.0% 95.2% 73 Mbps 25 Mbps Airport 4ka 99.0% 70.0% 50 Mbps 10 Mbps

Source: Orange, Slovak Telekom, O2, 4ka

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Ease of doing business Based on the World Bank report on the ease of business, in 2019, Slovakia ranked number 42 in the DID YOU KNOW? world. In terms of comparable countries in the region, Slovakia and the CEE region this year it was only surpassed by Poland and Czech offer foreign companies Republic. Slovakia was the regional leader in the ranking a number of advantages. in years 2008 to 2013. The factors considered by the Development of business World Bank as measures of the index include: relationships within the

• the political and institutional environment, European Union are easy • macroeconomic stability, market potential, due the close geographical • private entrepreneurship support, proximity, with good access • taxation system, through a number of budget • access to financing, contract enforcement, airlines, meaning business here • the starting and closing of a business, is especially ideal for SMEs on • labour market characteristics, and tight budgets. The European • infrastructure quality. Union funded infrastructure, energy, and innovation Historical and forecasted GDP growth and unemployment (%) projects have also created Macroeconomic 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019f 2020f opportunities, and it currently S&P Moody’s Fitch 16 14,5 13,7 14,0 14,2 has a far lower market 14 13,2 overview A+ stable A2 positive A+ 12,1 12,1 12 penetration in comparison 9,7 • Comprehensive structural reforms of the tax, 10 8,1 6,9 6,3 6,0 with West European markets. labour, pensions and healthcare systems and an 8 overall decentralization of powers in past years. 6 4,8 The Slovak workforce is highly 3,8 3,4 3,3 4,0 4,1 3,5 Macroeconomic indicators 4 2,7 2,4 • Membership in the Eurozone since 2009. 1,6 1,4 skilled. The main foreign for Slovakia 2016 2017 2018 2019f 2020f 2 • One of the strongest rebounds in terms of GDP GDP growth (%, yoy) 3,3% 3,2% 4,0% 4,1% 3,5% 0 languages spoken are English growth in the after the 2008 crisis. Inflation (%, yoy) -0,5% 1,4% 2,6% 2,6% 2,4% -2 and German. Hourly labour • Higher levels of unemployment as compared to Unemployment (%) 9,7% 8,1% 6,9% 6,3% 6,0% -4 -5,3 costs in Slovakia are more than the situation in the Eurozone which indicates Deficit (% of GDP) -2,2% -0,8% -0,6% -0,3% -0,1% -6 51,8% 50,9% 48,8% 46,4% 44,2% Unemployment Slovakia Unemployment Eurozone 3 times lower than in Germany. a potential for growth without the upward Gross public debt (% of GDP) Current account (% of GDP) 0,4% -0,2% 0,0% 1,2% 2,1% GDP Slovakia GDP Eurozone pressure on wages. f = forecasted, source: Eurostat Source: Eurostat

14 15 KEY FACTS & FIGURES KEY FACTS & FIGURES Industries

• Tradition of electrical and chemical engineering, wood- processing and food industry. Factors adding up to the • Industry is currently undergoing a phase of rapid attractiveness of Slovakia growth, which is attributable to the favourable business environment and a supply of foreign investors. • Slovakia is one of the world leaders in the automotive industry with four well-known car manufacturers PSA Peugeot Citroën (in Trnava), KIA Motors & Hyundai Mobis (in Žilina), Volkswagen (in Bratislava) and Jaguar Land Rover (in ) produce their cars in our country. - In 2015, the Slovak automotive industry reached production levels of more than a million cars per year. - Slovakia maintains the position of a world leader in the indicator of car production per capita. Broad knowledge Lower wage costs • Electrical engineering is now the second largest industry as of languages in comparison with well as the second largest employer. Western Europe or - LCD panels are the key article and they are North America produced by companies such as Samsung, Foxconn, AU Optronics or UMC. Geographic and cultural proximity Recent attractive sectors to Western Europe IT • Strong interest of international companies in relocating and centralising their business services to the region of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with shared services Well-developed DID YOU KNOW? sector becoming one of the key sectors in Slovakia, infrastructure Slovakia is by far the global employing more than 30,000 people. leader in car production per • Bratislava stands as an important IT cluster in the CEE 1,000 inhabitants. region, being home to internationally recognised IT companies such as ESET or Sygic. Available and • Bratislava also provides vital conditions for numerous skilled labour force local start-ups with many of them rising to international prominence (sli.do for instance).

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1054 896 Average gross monthly wages in Slovak regions Žilina Region 1062 Prešov Region Source: Statistical office of the Slovak Republic Slovakia is one of

Trenčín 1074 Region the most highly Košice Region Trnava Banská Bystrica skilled and educated Region Region country in the region. 1496 Bratislava 1063 Region 977

1001 Minimum gross Average gross Education monthly wage monthly wage In order to receive a high school excluding social excluding social 91.4% diploma (so-called Maturita), there is Human capital and health and health proportion of adult population a mandatory foreign language exam on with upper secondary • Qualified and relatively inexpensive labour contributions is contributions is the internationally recognised level B2. 520 EUR. 984 EUR. education (4rd rank in EU) force is Slovakia’s greatest asset. There are • The gross minimum wage as stipulated by the law, which translates to 2.99 EUR per hour worked. 40% • The social security contributions by the employer 93% 35 amount to 35.2% with a cap for social contribution • Slovakia is also competitive on the cost of labour universities at a maximum base of 6,678 EUR. frontier, where it offers potential investors significant in Slovakia • Slovakia is the regional leader (among V4 countries) savings in terms of labour expenses when compared 12% in terms of labour productivity per hour worked.* to western Europe.

Labour productivity per hour worked Average labour costs per hour in EUR in 2017 expressed as a multiple of Slovakia 98% % 23 of Slovak high 4 University attendance structure 40 3.0x 3.2x 60 000 18 35 2.7x school students 50 000 30 40 000 16 25 are taught a 30 000 20 20 000 13 15 foreign language 1.0x 0.8x 0.8x 1.0x 5% 10 000 10 0 8 5 Natural Technical Medicine Social Economy Other 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 (EUR) (People) science science science Slovakia Czech Republic Hungary Poland (EUR) Slovakia Hungary Poland Czech Rep. Eurozone Germany France Graduates Students

* Productivity is calculated as real output (adjusted GDP) per unit of input (total number of hours worked) Source: Eurostat 1% Source: Statistical office of the Slovak Republic

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How can SAEI help you? Basic information Vision Activities 2

20 21 HOW CAN SAEI HELP YOU?

SAEI will provide solutions and assistance for your creation in Slovakia. SAEI uses the latest knowledge export; it functions as an information tool for business in Slovakia. and tools in the international trade and the extended international trade. This internet newspaper experience of its members in international business provides information on international tenders, Basic information and investment. SAEI cooperates with individuals, exports, imports, events, trade missions, The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers international organizations and organizations supporting cooperation, trade fairs and exhibitions in Slovakia (SAEI) was registered at the Ministry of Interior of foreign trade and investments. and abroad. the Slovak Republic in December 2015. In a relatively short time, our non-profit organization was able to Activities investin.sk – presents Slovak commercial and put together enthusiastic and skilled individuals and We help companies to find new opportunities in investment opportunities in English. The process the top business service providers from Slovakia. international trade by using modern tools for the to find businesses, commercial real estate and an We support small and medium enterprises but also development of export, import and investments. Our investment project for sale is often exhausting and hiring employees, insurance, applying for incentives, larger companies in doing business and investment members provide comprehensive information and time-consuming. The portal investin.sk provides banking, forwarding, commercial properties search, in our region. During our existence, we have provided professional business services for doing business in an international platform and an exclusive tool business partners search, M&A, JV, intermediary support to hundreds of companies in getting in touch Slovakia. Technology is changing the world. Anyone for the promotion of Slovak investment and services, etc. with Slovak businesses. We have assisted dozens of knows that presence and promotion on the internet is commercial opportunities. We will locate a Slovak company on your behalf, to foreign companies interested in investing or doing a necessity. Customers around the world are always meet your requirements. business in Slovakia. online. It has never been easier to find clients, buyers and Members We will assist by opening up a route into the Slovak and suppliers for your company and products. The portals Our members and associates are well-connected European market for you through Slovak companies Vision presented below help to automate these processes. and highly skilled professionals you need for and we will find an industrial or commercial property SAEI encourages, promotes, advocates, educates investing, starting and doing business in Slovakia. for your business in Slovakia. and informs exporters and importers in order to slovakexporter.com – enables Slovak firms to introduce Our members and associates will assist you with Your inquiry will be delivered to Slovak companies – facilitate, speed up, simplify and streamline their their export offer in a structured way in one place in entering the Slovak market, including company manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers or agents who activities in foreign trade and thus lead to job English. Our intention is to expand the circle of people incorporation, taxes, accounting, legal issues, are able to satisfy it. interested in Slovak companies and their products. The portal slovakexporter.com helps Slovak companies to reach new markets, to reduce marketing costs and to reach customers abroad.

DID YOU KNOW? slovaktrade.sk – allows us to present opportunities and Did you know that 25% of all our not-for-profit organization to foreign companies and company bankruptcies are due investors and to introduce conditions and our support for to unpaid invoices? doing business and investment in the Slovak Republic.

slovenskyexporter.sk – is the online newspaper for

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Members of SAEI BDO investin.sk bnt attorneys in CEE Coface Balanced HR ARRS Forwarding 3

24 25 MEMBERS

In general, the eastern and • Annual report compliance audits BDO • Other assurance services southernmost regions suffer The world’s fifth largest accounting and consulting network. Tax advisory from higher unemployment Our goal is to provide effective strategies aimed at not History only optimizing the tax position of a taxpayer or identifying Since our founding in 1963, the BDO story has been one of and therefore in these regions innovative tax planning ideas but also maintaining tax continuous response to our clients’ and our people’s ever- investors may qualify for compliance obligations. changing needs. Our history is relevant today because our We provide a wide range of tax advisory services: clients value the continuity and stability of a network that the maximum intensity of • Corporate & international taxation has been developed so successfully over more than fifty • Corporate tax compliance turbulent years. Equally, our partners and staff know that investment aid which currently • Individual taxation they are working for a well-established organisation that is represents 35%. built upon clear values and a successful past. Business services & outsourcing The focus of our BSO department is to help our clients Basic information the following areas: state aid advisory, audit of regular optimize performance of their non-core but still important We’re proud that in the subsequent 50+ years, BDO investment reports prepared for various state aid business activities. We provide a wide range of services: has grown into a US$8 billion+ business, with almost 74 providers, M&A, financing, valuations, feasibility studies, • Accounting & Payroll thousand people working with our clients and offering searching for investment opportunities, China desk, etc. • Reporting challenging, ethical and practical advice from 1,500 offices • BPO in over 160 countries. BDO’s distinctive reputation for Services • Secretarial services building excellent relationships with our clients is built upon Our wide range of other services includes audit & our commitment to all our stakeholders: what matters to assurance, tax services & outsourcing as well as business Consulting them, matters to us. consulting. We are committed to providing all our clients Our expertise is multifaceted. BDO consulting provides PETER GUNDA We remain focused on helping our clients worldwide with comprehensive and independent services. high-level strategic guidance to clients when the stakes – Managing Partner navigate the ever-changing economic and market and the scrutiny – are highest. Our advisers take a personal [email protected] conditions by providing high quality advice and service on a Audit & assurance approach and offer tailor- made solutions. Our scale and +421 2 5710 6666 consistent basis. BDO Slovak Republic and our entire team Our basic approach to auditing is focused primarily on structure allow us to provide a full spectrum of consulting of 60 partners and professional staff, all based in Bratislava, understanding the client’s business in a wider context, services for your current and future business operations. Zochova 6-8 is committed to provide seamless, integrated as well as as focusing only on partial processes or individual We provide a wide range of business consulting services: 811 03 Bratislava I Slovak Republic value-added assurance, accounting, taxation and advisory controls may result in oversight of actual business risks. • Corporate finance Tel.: +421 2 5710 6666 services to all our clients regardless of their size or origin. We provide a wide range of audit and assurance services: • Transaction advisory Email: [email protected] • Audit of individual and consolidated financial statements • Public sector advisory www.bdoslovakia.com Always close to your business prepared in accordance with local GAAP or IFRS • Initial Coin Offering (ICO) BDO Slovak Republic can help potential investors mainly in • Audit or review of information packages prepared for • China desk

26 27 MEMBERS

When establishing a company • Labour disputes bnt attorneys in CEE • Transfer of employees during M&A transactions think also about your scope of One of the leading international business law firms in Real estate Central and Eastern Europe. business. In case of a licensed From the initial idea to successful completion, trade a so- called “responsible we bring our commercial expertise to bear along the entire Basic information value chain of a real estate development securely, efficiently Our economic region at the heart of Europe is dynamic representative” must meet and precisely on the basis of the applicable national law. and diverse culturally, linguistically and in its legal statutory requirements, Practice areas: systems. That’s what we exist for. At bnt we think and • Commercial, manufacturing and service industry act: close. straight. forward. We are close to the market, especially education and real estate users providing straight advice to help you move forward. In • Private equity, institutional investors and funds the heart of Bratislava, a vibrant city on the banks of the experience in the given field. • Purchase & sale of individual properties and portfolios Danube, we opened one of our first offices in Central • Construction contracts and Eastern Europe in 2003. Today the office employs in-depth knowledge and many years of experience • Planning & zoning, land use and building regulations approximately 20 people, and is headed by 4 partners. enable us to devise sustainable solutions for all • Environmental law parties. Practice areas: • Greenfield investments Vision/Strategy • Corporate • Infrastructure With us clients have a home advantage. Companies who want • Mergers & Acquisitions • Real estate management & leasing to succeed in Central and Eastern Europe will need a partner • Compliance • Restructuring real estate projects who has truly in-depth knowledge and understanding of the • Joint Ventures • Energy installations and utilities region, its culture and its legal systems. Since our formation • Privatisation we have operated with our own international teams of • Competition and anti-trust law Insolvency and restructuring JUDr. experienced lawyers directly on location, a fact which gives Crises call for swift, decisive action. Thanks to our experience MARTIN PROVAZNÍK us a clear home advantage. Employment from numerous cases we provide clients with rapid, precise Associated Partner In employment law commercial considerations are assistance. Practice areas: [email protected] Activities not all that matters. We also take into account soft •Pre-insolvency protection of creditors’ rights +421 2 5788 0088 bnt Bratislava, Slovakia can help potential clients mainly factors when making our recommendations. Practice •Creating insolvency-remote collateral in the following areas: Corporate and M&A, Employment, areas: •Representing creditors in insolvency proceedings Cintorínska 7 Real Estate, Insolvency and Restructuring, Life Sciences & • Business activities and employee deployment abroad •Pre-insolvency debt restructuring 811 08, Bratislava Slovak Republic Pharma, Dispute Resolution. • Employment contracts, remuneration and •Legal duties of company bodies and shareholders in crisis Tel: +421 2 5788 0088 retirement benefits •Capital maintenance regulations Email: [email protected] Services • Data protection •Mandatory regulations under tax/social security law www.bnt.eu Corporate and M&A • Collective bargaining •Prerequisites and risks of de-facto management Company mergers and acquisitions are complex tasks. Our • Termination of employment, mass redundancies •M&A of distressed companies

28 29 MEMBERS

Come and benefit from the highly skilled labour force in any of the regions of Slovakia.

arranges salary administration and helps solve regular administrative operations via interim project managers or at one´s own costs.

Activities Besides seeking talent and recruiting, we also develop the cvmango.com project. This web app can help you find an appropriate applicant by using an open access database of checked applicants who have already completed and a strong partnership for all clients, employees, personal interviews and are also recommended for Balanced HR, s.r.o. suppliers and partners. Our solutions help fulfil plans and specific jobs by our clients. The unique tool can save a HR service provider visions of companies mainly in the spheres of automotive, lot of time, energy and costs related to candidate search production, IT and telecommunications, finances, retail, when compared to other databases that contain only banks, insurance companies and others. Innovations, applicant CVs. History responsibility and complex services – these are the three MARTIN STRAKA We have been active on the market since 2013. pillars that Balanced HR was built on. Today, we have Key services Managing Partner Our company was founded by enthusiastic people almost 30 employees and count among the TOP 10 HR • Recruitment [email protected] who had been experienced in the sphere of human companies in Slovakia. • Executive search +421 948 741 126 resources for a long time. This means we have been • Personnel audit able to combine excellent knowledge of the market Basic information • Outplacement Mlynské nivy 48 and many years in the HR sector to create top Supporting foreign investors that come to the Slovak • Consulting 821 09 Bratislava Slovak performance and services in the fields of recruitment, market is our speciality. We offer primary labour force • Surveys (salary, competitive environment, Tel: +421 2 3810 4850 executive search, headhunting, HR consultancy, availability surveys, expected labour cost calculations for satisfaction, employee benefits,...) Email: [email protected] training and development, and other recruitment individual regions, complex recruitment outsourcing for • Personnel leasing www.balanced-hr.com solutions. Our company transformed these assets all organisational structure jobs in emerging companies • HR & payroll services www.cvmango.com and success into a balanced portfolio of activities and – from the general manager to production operators. • Education and development services that guarantee benefits, valuable cooperation Our company provides labour-law documents, • cvmango.com

30 31 MEMBERS

finding suitable industrial or commercial property to rent or and the European Union. Identify prospective customers investin.sk to buy, forming new strategic partnerships, finding suitable and complete feasibility studies. Determine the potential Slovak business partners or suppliers and bringing your local market value of your products and services. Identify History products and services to the market. and understand the strengths and weaknesses of your The web portal investin.sk was established in 2013 competitors. We provide you with the best pricing. by two Slovak entrepreneurs as the unique source of Other services investments and business opportunities in Slovakia Our wide range of other services includes market Online export supported by comprehensive business services. research, market entry services, feasibility studies, search In order to stay current, an organization has to be present We are focusing mostly on business development, for agents, distributors and business partners, search online. Soon it won’t be enough to simply have a good mergers & acquisitions projects, JV and on commercial for products and suppliers, supporting development multilingual website. You will have to stand out from & industrial real estate investments. of distributors and dealers networks, start-up business the mass of information out there. Online exporting or services, localization, marketing and advertising, e-Exporting is currently considered an effective way to Basic information internationalization, international trade and import – expand sales abroad. On-line trading platforms are a Our partners and staff are able to provide full support export support as well as business consulting. We are cost-effective way for businesses to increase sales of their for your business endeavour in Slovakia. Since our committed to providing all our clients with comprehensive product range and geographical spread. founding, we have provided support to hundreds of and independent services. companies in getting in touch with Slovak businesses B2B online marketing and have assisted dozens of foreign companies Business internationalization By using worldwide databases of companies and our interested in investing or establishing a business We make your business expand in other countries, doing market research capacities we are able to provide in Slovakia. If you are looking for a commercial or international market research and market prospection. businesses with exposure to clients abroad by targeted industrial property, business to buy, or if you are Search for business partners, buyers, distributors, online marketing, email marketing, telemarketing and looking to do business and at business development desired products or suppliers, business networking, direct marketing. in Slovakia this is the right contact for you. B2B marketing services and advertising, offshore incorporation services, assistance in import and export. Business support services Vision/Strategy We will assist you: to register a local branch office or We are proud that in a relatively short time we have Real estate services establish a partnership, or assist in the incorporation of a PhDr. established a reputation as a professional, reliable Our goal is to help you to find a suitable industrial or Slovak/Czech company. Locate office space that satisfies and fexible partner. Together with our partners and commercial property, either as an investment or as an your corporate image, costs and location needs and ERNEST RAKONCZAY associates we can provide full range of high quality asset or for rent in Slovakia. negotiate ‘best terms’ on your behalf, create a localized Statutory representative professional business services in Slovakia. Slovak/Czech and/or international web presence and [email protected] +421 903 133 460 Business development presentations. Identify potential business partners, We will work with you to: understand the local market distributors and agents, negotiate distribution agreements Key Services Email: [email protected] Through our range of business services we can help opportunities for your products and services. Identify with them. Advise on recruitment, salary and benefits www.investin.sk you to grow and develop your business in Slovakia and government red-tape and regulations applicable to your packages, assist with recruiting staff for the new entity, and internationally as well as discovering new opportunities, products and services in Slovakia and the Czech Republic provide support as required.

32 33 MEMBERS

bringing you peace of mind, financial stability and Coface facilitating the healthy growth of your business. TradeLinermeans continuous prevention and protection for trade – building business together from the risk of non-payment of sales on your domestic and export markets, and sales of your subsidiaries. History Coface was founded in France in 1946. Since its • CofaceTopLiner – a complementary cover option for our establishment and the gradual internationalization TradeLinercustomers. It is designed for situations where, of its activities, we have contributed to increasing Activities for a given buyer, the insured company has received a the performance and growth of companies around Coface is helping businesses take the right decisions. We are guarantee with an amount which is less than that the world. In 2002, Coface started its activity in focused on the provision of services related to the management requested or no guarantee at all. The price depends on Slovakia by joining Intercredit Bratislava spol. s r.o., of receivables. We provide detailed sectoral and geographic risk the risk assessment and the amount and duration of the which has been active in the Slovak market since analysis, the tools that really work to monitor and assess the risk requested cover. 1993 and offered business information, out-of- of your partners. At the same time, we are focusing on providing court and judicial collection. In 2007, Coface began advice and assistance to high-level professionals who cover the • CofaceEasyLiner – is a credit insurance product for SME providing its main product - credit insurance. To acquisition and provision of business partner information, credit that generate turnover from from €300,000 up to date, Coface is present in 99 countries worldwide, insurance and debt collection. €5,000,000. It protects you against non-payment in with the ability to provide coverage for its clients in Slovakia and abroad. Insurance can be negotiated online. about 200 countries. Vision/Strategy Our mission is to help companies throughout the world • CofaceGlobal Solutions – product designed for large Basic information achieve their commercial ambitions, better control their multinational accounts. With this system, your purchases 70 years of experience and the most finely profit and win market share by optimizing their credit cycle. are more cost-effective and your credit management meshed network have made Coface a reference This vision is supported by values that we all share: policy is optimised in your subsidiaries. in credit insurance, risk management and the • Client focus JURAJ JANČI global economy. With the ambition to become the • Expertise Other services Country manager most agile, global trade credit insurance partner • Courage and accountability • Business information – represent a comprehensive and [email protected] in the industry, Coface’s experts work to the beat • Collaboration flexible tool for managing credit risks. On their basis, you +421 2 6720 1644 of the world economy, supporting 50,000 clients • Integrity can assess your potential and existing business partners in building successful, growing and dynamic and divide them into individual categories based on a Šoltésovej 14 811 08 Bratislava businesses. The Coface Group’s services and Key services composite risk assessment indicator. Slovak Republic solutions protect and help companies take credit Our company’s key services include credit insurance. The Tel: +421 2 6720 1616 decisions to improve their ability to sell on both products within this service that Cofaceoffers to its • Debt collection – the involvement of a third party accelerates Email: [email protected] their domestic and export markets. In 2017, Coface clients are: the collection process. We concentrate on time-consuming www.coface.sk employed approximately 4,100 people in 100 • CofaceTradeLiner – safeguards your cash-fow and is and frustrating procedures, and this allows you to focus on countries and registered turnover of €1.4 billion. an effective tool to enhance your credit management… your business. We offer out-of-court and judicial collection.

34 35 MEMBERS

Basic information ARRS Forwarding Ltd. We offer qualified and comprehensive services based on long-term knowledge of traffic and transport, Private forwarding company situated in Banská been to connect people with their goods and different because the shipment of goods is an integral part of Bystrica, in central Slovakia. transport services. Up to the end of 2003 we were international business that creates opportunities and part of the Dutch international holding company with improves lives. We try to contribute daily to better History many branches in Europe and the USA. Since 2004, understanding the international traffic routes, new Our company has been active on the transport the company has exclusively been a Slovak legal entity solutions in maritime and air transport worldwide. market for more than 28 years and currently and has operated under the current name ARRS primarily specialises in maritime and air transport forwarding Ltd., which refects the main activities of Activities worldwide. From the beginning, our intention has Air, Road, Rail, Sea. We are ready to provide FCL and LCL shipments in overseas transport, as well as bulk cargo and oversized cargo. We are able to arrange the loading of cargo around the world and arrange transport to all the main sea ports and airports. For our clients we can arrange the insurance of cargo during transportation and the insurance policy is in the hands of our client immediately after loading their cargo onto containers. Our service knows no working hours, we are on-line all day and night. Our main partners in overseas business are the largest shipping companies in the world – MSC, Maersk Line, CMA CGM. Our services are highly rated and appreciated by clients who are starting out in the business and DUŠAN LALÍK do not possess expertise when it comes to transport, Statutory representative and all the rules and conditions of international [email protected] transport. +421 903 800 173

Vision/Strategy Švermova 51 974 04 Banská Bystrica The world is changing daily, as is transport, primarily Slovak Republic with new maritime connections and endless changes Tel. +421 48 413 12 69 in the requirements, possibilities and needs of our Email: [email protected] clients. In a time of huge development in transport www.arrsforwarding.sk means, we have to stay ahead with services, expertise and information.

36 37 This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers to HERE discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.

Contacts

For further information or advice on how we can help you, please, contact:

The Slovak Association of Exporters and Importers (SAEI)

Cintorínska 7 811 08 Bratislava Slovak Republic +421 903 631 567 [email protected]

38 39 KEY FACTS & FIGURES

SAEI.SK

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