Location Bratislava On September 24-25, 2012 Bratislava and selected locations in Slovakia hosted the group of young Singaporean entrepreneurs within the Spotlight Singapore event. Delegation of more than 120 people got over an interesting and busy schedule with the goal of learning the most about our country, culture and business environment. The welcome address and speech to Asian businessmen led by Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore – Slovak Republic Ms Jennie Chua was presented by Mr. Milan Ftacnik, Mayor of Bratislava and Mr Peter Burian, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Mr Robert Simoncic, CEO SARIO introduced the audience the advantages of the Slovak business environment and investment opportunities. SARIO, as one of the main partners of this event, together with the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia helped organizers with the participant’s recruitment and other selected activities, e.g. industry visits. As a sign of gratitude for helping to co-organize this project R. Simoncic on behalf of SARIO received a token of appreciation. "Singapore is an inspiration for us in many ways, so I'm excited about the fact that the delegation has chosen Slovakia as their destination country. I am glad that SARIO contributed significantly to the success of this event and hope it will bring Slovakia many new trade and investment opportunities, "said R.Simoncic. "Spotlight Singapore is a platform that can bridge the Slovaks and Singaporeans," confirmed Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore for Slovakia Ms Jennie Chua. Besides business presentations the delegates had the opportunity to listen the success stories of entrepreneurs from both countries and also negotiate and establish new contacts with number of young Slovak entrepreneurs. "I think there is a lot of potential in Bratislava for growth and development. We met a lot of young people here who are very enthusiastic and inspiring. If young entrepreneurs want to do business together they should continue to interact, exchange opinions and build great ideas together,“ said Koh Juat Muay, one of the delegates and Chief Alignment Officer of THE LITTLE BLUE DOT company. Except Bratislava the delegates could choose to join one of the industry visits which took part at the winery complex ELESKO in Modra, Health Spa Piestany and The Centre for Folk Art Production in Bratislava - ÚĽUV. Spotlight Singapore is an international exchange program, which aims to introduce young Singaporean entrepreneurs to new countries, their culture and business opportunities in them. The event was held in Hong Kong (2006), Tokyo (2006), and Moscow (2008) and recently in Cape Town (2011). The fifth edition of this project is currently running for the first time in the European cities – namely Bratislava, Brno and Prague.
