SARIO Strengthened Investment Cooperation with China

The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), represented by its Special Representative in China Lukáš Merga and Martin Hlaváčik, Deputy Director of the Investment Projects Department, actively presented Slovakia at major events in China in March 2026, with the aim of attracting new investors and strengthening trade relations between Slovakia and China.

From March 13 to 16, 2026, the international exhibition CINEVE 2026 - China International New Energy Vehicle Technology, Parts and Service Exhibition took place in Beijing. The event is considered one of the key platforms in the field of electromobility and automotive supply chains. SARIO’s Special Representative in China, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China, organized a Slovak booth at the exhibition, where three Slovak companies were presented.

On the first day of the event, a specialized SARIO investment seminar titled “Slovakia: New Industrial Gateway to the EU” was held for 20 Chinese companies from the automotive sector. During the seminar, SARIO’s Special Representative in China Lukáš Merga introduced Slovakia’s investment environment and its strategic advantages for Chinese companies entering the European market. Members of the Investment Support Association (ISA) also delivered presentations. From their respective areas of expertise, they contributed to raising awareness of Slovakia as a strategic investment destination in Central and Eastern Europe, with a well-established automotive supplier network and a stable business environment.

Throughout CINEVE 2026, meetings were held at the Slovak booth with representatives of Chinese companies to identify their expansion plans towards Europe and to present the advantages of establishing manufacturing capacities in Slovakia.

These activities were followed by the China - Slovakia Investment and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference, held on March 17, 2026, in Cangzhou, Hebei Province. The event was organized by SARIO’s Special Representative in China in cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China, with local support from Zhongjie Industrial Park and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Cangzhou Municipal Government.

The conference brought together 61 representatives of leading Chinese companies from Hebei Province, as well as officials from provincial and municipal government institutions. Through a presentation by SARIO’s Special Representative in China Lukáš Merga, participants gained a comprehensive overview of Slovakia’s investment environment, its competitive advantages, and available investment incentives for foreign investors.

The event also provided space for individual consultations with company representatives, who confirmed their interest in investing in Slovakia as a strategic gateway to Europe. The conference was held in the spirit of preparations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Sino-Czech-Slovak Friendship Farm, which has since evolved into the modern Zhongjie Industrial Park - an important platform for fostering investment and trade cooperation between China and Slovakia.