Slovak Industry VISION Day 2026

The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) organised the fifth edition of the international business forum Slovak Industry VISION Day 2026 on 27 October 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava hotel. This year’s forum marked the 25th anniversary of SARIO and brought together Slovak and international companies, investors, representatives of business organisations and innovation experts.

A total of 210 companies and other organisations from 12 countries, including Slovakia, registered for the event. The forum welcomed 383 participants, who held more than 500 individual B2B meetings in a single day.

The event was officially opened by Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, who highlighted SARIO’s 25th anniversary in her opening address. The opening ceremony was broadcast live by Slovak Television and Radio (STVR).

Individual B2B meetings formed the core of the programme, enabling Slovak companies to establish new business contacts, showcase their manufacturing and technological capabilities, and explore cooperation opportunities with domestic and international partners. In this context, SARIO Director General Egon Zorád emphasised that the high number of meetings confirmed Slovak companies’ ambition to grow and seek new partners both at home and abroad. The aim of the event is to ensure that companies leave not only with new insights but also with concrete contacts and business opportunities.

SARIO paid particular attention to sourcing activities aimed at identifying suitable Slovak suppliers for major industrial companies. For GIB EnergyX Slovakia, SARIO prepared a qualification process through which Slovak companies could present their capabilities and apply to become part of its supply chain. For reflexGroup, part of the Winkelmann Group, SARIO organised face-to-face meetings with potential suppliers. These activities provide a tangible example of how SARIO connects Slovak manufacturing companies with the needs of domestic and international investors.

As part of the expert programme, SARIO Director General Egon Zorád presented the agency’s strategic vision for its future direction and its role in promoting investment, foreign trade and the internationalisation of Slovak companies. Thematic panel discussions addressed the investment environment, export performance, technological transformation and the development of internationally competitive companies. Slovak businesses also shared their experiences of operating in foreign markets. Particular attention was given to the use of artificial intelligence in research, development and industrial applications.

Alongside the main conference programme, expert workshops provided participants with practical information on doing business and expanding into South Korea, the United States, China and the German-speaking DACH region. Other sessions explored business opportunities in India, the Western Balkans and Central Asia. A dedicated workshop focused on the results and future direction of the national project Support for the Internationalisation of SMEs 2, through which SARIO helps Slovak small and medium-sized enterprises establish themselves in foreign markets.

The event also featured the parallel Emerging Space programme, organised by the Slovak Space Office, which operates within SARIO. The programme highlighted opportunities in the space industry and possibilities for cooperation between Slovak technology companies and international partners, with a particular focus on Slovak-Bavarian cooperation meetings. The connection between space technologies and traditional industry demonstrated how Slovak companies can diversify their activities and establish a presence in high-value-added sectors.

Slovak Industry VISION Day 2026 highlighted the importance of aligning investment and export support with the specific needs of the business sector. Over its 25 years of operation, SARIO has contributed to attracting foreign investment, developing the business environment and creating opportunities for Slovak companies in international markets.

The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, in cooperation with innovation partner SAPIE – the Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy. ČSOB and SPP were the General Partners. The Exclusive VISION Partners were SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, MH Teplárenský holding, the Slovak Space Office and the national project Support for the Internationalisation of SMEs 2. The VISION Partners were EXIMBANKA SR, P3 Logistic Parks, TAKENAKA, Nippon Steel Slovakia and TERAZ. The event was also supported by other business, sourcing, product and media partners, including SITA, TASR, STVR and TOUCHIT. SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, the national tourism promotion organisation, also supported the event.

For more information about the event, visit www.slovakindustryvisionday.com.