Location Bratislava Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) organized this week in Nitra already for the 6th year its annual biggest event with the aim to promote export possibilities – The 6th Slovak Matchmaking Fair. This event offers a unique possibility for small and medium enterprises to find export and business opportunities abroad. "One of the main interests of the Slovak Republic is to develop activities of Slovak entrepreneurs in an international environment. Economic diplomacy is one of the key activities of the foreign policy of the Slovak Republic," Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of the SR said at the opening ceremony of the event. "More than 400 bilateral meetings for 97 registered Slovak and foreign companies created the conditions for specific activities that should, as in previous years, lead to concrete results in form of concrete contracts", Deputy CEO SARIO Marian Moravčík said. This year, the main partners of the Matchmaking Fair were the Republic of Bulgaria as a Partner Country and the Self-Governing Region Košice as the Partner Region of the event. "Slovaks and Bulgarians are alike not only based on language and thinking, but they have also good long-term economic relations. The main scope for cooperation between our countries is in the automotive industry and manufacturing generally,"said Borislav Stefanov, the Executive Director of InvestBulgaria. "The choice of the Republic of Bulgaria to become the Partner Country was not random. The presence of Bulgarian companies on this Matchmaking Fair is a result of joint efforts to promote cooperation between our businesses in trading and investment,"Dušan Petrik, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the SR said. The Matchmaking Fair, including its 6th year, has given a great opportunity to connect business potential for 711 companies, 385 domestic and 326 international from 30 countries. The event has also contributed to subcontracting relations of Slovak companies in Russia, Belgium, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria. SARIO´s aim is to be a modern agency, which will be perceived by foreign investors and domestic partners as a vehicle for growth and innovation. SARIO wants to assist to the development of the Slovak economy in the maximum extent possible by attracting new investment and offering trade support, which shall bring its results in creation of new jobs and ultimately increase the living standards in Slovakia.
