Since 2017, the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) has been implementing the National Project “Support for Internationalization of SMEs” implemented within the Operational Program Research and Innovation to support Slovak small and medium-sized companies based outside Bratislava region in their export activities. The National Project provides services related to the technical and organizational provision of national stands at international fairs and exhibitions abroad. Joint exhibitions - national stands of the Slovak Republic at exhibitions and fairs are intended to enable Slovak SMEs to present their product range and business offers, gain an overview of technical and technological developments and establish business contacts in order to conclude business contracts and export products abroad.During the seven-year implementation period of the National Project “Support for the Internationalization of SMEs” (4. Q 2017 - 3. Q 2023), approximately 75 national stands of the SR are planned to be held at international fairs and exhibitions abroad. Individual national stands will be realized approximately in proportion in the territories of 70% in EU Member States and 30% outside EU Member States.The most important part of the activities of the National Project is to support the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in foreign fairs and exhibitions. Since the launch of the project, SARIO has organized 26 national stands at international exhibitions abroad. More than 200 Slovak companies from various sectors of the economy (for example, engineering, electrical engineering, construction and food industry) had the opportunity to present their production activities as part of a joint exhibition in Slovakia's visual brand GOOD IDEA SLOVAKIA.Thanks to this support, many Slovak companies have succeeded in concluding successful business contracts, establishing cooperation with partners and expanding their network of customers in new export markets. A total of EUR 1 422 506.21 was provided for subsidized services at fairs and exhibitions in 2019.The wide range of fairs prepared by SARIO for Slovak companies for 2020 covers the most important sectors of Slovak exports (e. g food, electrical, construction or engineering industries). The careful selection is based on the experience of previous years, the inquiries of entrepreneurs and expert advice from Slovak embassies abroad and relevant institutions. National stands of the Slovak Republic under the auspices of SARIO will be realized in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, France and the Russian Federation.The list of the fairs and exhibitions planned for the National Stand of the Slovak Republic in the 2020 https://www.sario.sk/en/support-smes/fairs-and-exhibitions-abroad
