Business mission to Thailand and Australia

The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Bangkok and the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in Sydney, organised a business mission to Thailand and Australia on the occasion of the official visit of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár. The mission took place from 11 to 18 October 2026 and aimed to support the internationalisation of Slovak companies, showcase their technological and innovation potential, and create new opportunities for cooperation in Asian markets.

The mission brought together Slovak companies and institutions with dozens of potential partners from Thailand and Australia. The programme included business forums, B2B meetings, networking activities, visits to leading research and technology centres, as well as the presentation of Slovak solutions at an international mobility trade fair.

One of the key highlights of the programme was the Thailand–Slovakia Business Forum, held in Bangkok on 12 October 2026. The event was organised by SARIO in cooperation with the Thai business organisations, the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The forum was opened by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár, and Werapong Prapha, Thailand’s representative for trade affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister. Participants received information on the business and investment environment in both countries and had the opportunity to learn about examples of successful Slovak–Thai cooperation. The Slovak business and investment environment was presented by Michal Dutko, SARIO’s expert posted in Beijing. Representatives of Indorama Ventures and Inkognito Lab also shared their experience and examples of cooperation.

The forum also included B2B and B2G meetings between Slovak and Thai entities. Discussions focused primarily on opportunities in the fields of energy, green and environmental technologies, smart infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital solutions and engineering.

The event brought together 16 Slovak entities and approximately 90 Thai partners, creating opportunities to establish new business contacts and identify specific areas for cooperation.

The business mission subsequently continued in Australia, where the Slovakia–Australia Business Connect business forum was held in Sydney on 13 October 2026. The event was organised by SARIO in cooperation with its partner organisations, the Export Council of Australia and the European Australian Business Council. SARIO was represented by Lukáš Merga, SARIO’s expert posted in Shanghai, who presented the Slovak business and investment environment and actively participated in a panel discussion dedicated to Slovak–Australian trade cooperation.

The forum focused on the prospects for developing trade and investment relations between Slovakia, Europe and Australia, including opportunities arising from the EU–Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Horizon Europe programme. Discussions addressed trade and business opportunities, market access, investment, infrastructure, energy, mobility, digital and critical systems, cyber resilience, as well as research, development, innovation and technological cooperation.

The programme continued with a Slovak Community Evening featuring a performance by the Lúčnica folklore ensemble, creating an opportunity for an informal meeting and exchange of experience between Slovak business representatives and Slovaks living in Australia.

The following day, Slovak companies presented their solutions at the international MOVE AU 2026 trade fair and conference, held at the International Convention Centre Sydney. MOVE AU is one of the major international platforms focusing on the future of mobility and transport, innovation and technological solutions in this rapidly developing sector.

Minister Juraj Blanár visited the Slovak pavilion, met with Slovak business representatives, learned about their innovative solutions and discussed opportunities for their application in the Australian market. The visit also included networking with invited Australian partners, organisers and selected speakers, creating opportunities to establish new contacts and develop international cooperation.

The Slovak pavilion at MOVE AU 2026 featured Locoproject, Telegrafia – Warning Systems, GOSPACE LABS, SEAK and M2M Solutions. Their solutions covered the fields of smart mobility, energy, digital technologies and safety. The participation of Slovak companies at MOVE AU 2026 represents another step in supporting their internationalisation and increasing the visibility of Slovak innovation and technological potential in the Australian market.

The programme also included a visit to AMAC/UNSW, the Australian Centre for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of New South Wales, which focuses on research, innovation and the development of advanced manufacturing technologies. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange experience and discuss potential cooperation between the Slovak and Australian industrial and research sectors.

The working programme of the business mission concluded with a visit to the CSIRO facility in Marsfield, part of Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. The meeting focused on scientific and research cooperation, technological innovation and opportunities to connect research capabilities with the business sector.

The business mission concluded with a specialised roundtable at Canberra Cyber Hub, held in Canberra on 16 October 2026 with the participation of selected invited Slovak and Australian companies operating in the field of cybersecurity. The meeting provided an opportunity to connect the Slovak and Australian business and technology ecosystems, exchange expertise and identify specific opportunities for cooperation in the field of cybersecurity.

The Slovak business delegation in Australia consisted of 27 companies and institutions representing a broad range of Slovak industrial, technological and research capabilities.

The business mission to Thailand and Australia demonstrated that Slovak companies are interested in expanding into distant and technologically advanced markets. The programme combined business forums, individual B2B and B2G meetings, networking activities and visits to leading research and technology institutions. Slovak companies therefore had the opportunity not only to present their products and solutions, but also to establish new contacts and identify specific opportunities for business and technological cooperation.

SARIO played an important role in preparing and coordinating the business component of the mission. It facilitated communication with participants and foreign partners, organised B2B meetings and the accompanying programme, and identified relevant business and institutional contacts. The activities also included the presentation of the Slovak business and investment environment and support for Slovak companies in establishing contacts in new markets. Thanks to cooperation with domestic and international partners, new opportunities were created for developing business, technological and institutional ties between Slovakia, Thailand and Australia.