The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) has had a successful year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has achieved excellent results - SARIO has closed 15 investment projects (7 with higher added value) with the potential to create up to 2,900 new jobs. The agency has implemented more than 60 events to support the export and internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for almost 1,200 Slovak companies. Behind the successful results is also the prompt response of the new conditions and the transfer of its activities to the online space during the global COVID-19 pandemic.The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) in 2020 responded quickly to the new situation and successfully transferred its activities to the online space. Investment and trading opportunities or opportunities for cooperation or presentation of products, services, or technologies have not disappeared, they have merely acquired a new virtual form.[[{"fid":"19012","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""}},"attributes":{"height":400,"width":460,"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]“SARIO's response to the new conditions has been prompt and the results prove effective. Thanks to the expertise, competence, and professional network of contacts, the agency's team was able to move things forward, "stated Róbert Šimončič, SARIO CEO.In 2020, the SARIO successfully closed 15 investment projects, of which up to 7 were projects with higher added value. The closed investment projects have the potential to create almost 2,900 new direct jobs and the total amount of investments should reach up to 697 million EUR. In terms of sector focus, most investment projects were completed in the automotive (including the e-mobility) and engineering industries. Foreign investors came mainly from Europe, but the agency has also seen several investment projects of Slovak companies.[[{"fid":"19013","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""}},"attributes":{"height":190,"width":460,"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]Slovakia remains an attractive location for innovative and capital-intensive investments. Closed investment projects in 2020 confirm the trend in favor of capital-intensive investments and a stable increase in the share of projects with high added value."The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency has proven that even in a crisis, it can fully fulfill its mission: to accelerate Slovakia's investment, export, and innovation potential. I expect that Slovakia's competitiveness in obtaining strategic investments will also be increased by a properly prepared large-scale industrial park in Rimavská Sobota, which will be built by the state, “said Richard Sulík, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic.The current unfavorable general development due to the COVID-19 pandemic was also reflected in the Slovak export-oriented industry, nevertheless, SARIO has managed to achieve good results.[[{"fid":"19014","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""}},"attributes":{"height":170,"width":460,"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]As part of pro-export oriented services and the internationalization of SMEs, SARIO provided services to almost 1,400 companies (of which 200 were foreign) this year and organized 62 events. The companies gained the opportunity to learn, get to know current export opportunities in selected territories, establish new business contact through the so-called sourcing and negotiate with new business partners."Slovak companies did not get lost even after moving activities to the online space. They confirmed their potential, position and quality, successfully joined the supply chains of established investors and also established themselves in strong international competition, " concluded Róbert Šimončič, SARIO CEO.[[{"fid":"19015","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false,"external_url":""}},"attributes":{"height":720,"width":460,"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]In 2020, the SARIO was successful in the field of investment and support for connecting Slovak companies to fast-growing markets in the world. It has successfully adapted to new working conditions, implemented dozens of activities and events at home and abroad, further developed SARIO services (Innovation Services, Diversification Services, as well as “Practice for universities, solutions for companies” project) in accordance with the fulfillment of the agency's strategic goals.
