More than 300 Companies to Meet with Economic Diplomats at Export Forum

Tale, 15 October (TASR) - More than 300 companies will meet with economic diplomats at the fifth year of the Export Forum, which is taking place on Wednesday in the village of Tale under the Low Tatra mountains. Entrepreneurs will be able to discuss opportunities to expand their portfolio abroad, more than 700 Slovak companies are expected to meet with economic diplomats working in various countries around the world. The Export Forum is the largest event in Slovakia dedicated to economic diplomacy. The central theme of the current year is the world in motion and its impact on international trade. Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), who opened the Export Forum, pointed out at a press conference that Slovakia is a pro-export oriented country, which has one of the most open economies within the OECD states. According to the minister, 78 percent of Slovak exports were directed to European Union (EU) countries in 2024, but the year-on-year increase is higher for exports outside the EU. "Our entrepreneurs are interested in trade and business outside the EU. And it is our interest to diversify our foreign trade and business abroad, which is why our diplomacy is expanding our embassies, creating space for economic diplomacy in the countries that have the highest growth rate at the moment," said Blanar. According to the minister, the Indo-Pacific region and countries of the Global South, for example, are among the most promising in terms of investment and exports at present. This should be confirmed by successful Slovak exporters and companies, which will be awarded on Wednesday at the Export Forum for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of Slovakia's interests in the field of economic diplomacy. "They have asserted themselves in markets that may have been completely closed to the Slovak Republic not long ago. This is for example India, which protects its environment," added Blanar. am