TO CLOSE a gap in the Spanish-Slovak business marketplace by creating an open forum for both foreign and local companies, Spanish business leaders launched a new chamber on September 23 – the Spanish-Slovak Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will serve as a forum for regular meetings and sharing of common interests and as a way to explore synergies and develop common business potential between the countries.
“The creation of the Spanish-Slovak Chamber of Commerce arose from the desire of a small group of Spanish entrepreneurs who have the objective of fostering bilateral commerce between Spain and Slovakia as well as giving support to Spanish companies present in Slovakia or those seeking to get established in this country,” Antonio Casado, member of the chamber’s board told The Slovak Spectator. “The chamber will give Spanish companies the chance to improve their knowledge of the Slovak market, to expand their commercial contacts and to promote internal synergies with other members of the chamber. In turn, domestic companies will have the chance to improve their network and promote their products and services among Spanish companies.”
According to Casado, the Spanish-Slovak chamber will be an active community where companies and individuals, no matter where they come from, can meet and grow professionally together.
Members of the chamber so far include Indra Slovakia, MED Invest, ProSlovak, Spanish Investments, and Stalia Real Estate Slovensko, according to the chamber’s website.
The main goals of the chamber are to create added value for its members and to support their business promotion, to develop a strong and active business community and to become an active player in the Slovak economic and social environment.
To achieve these goals, the chamber plans to organise monthly conferences or seminars as well as business dinners with Slovak and Spanish special guests and personalities to share ideas and visions about relevant economic and social topics. It also wants to organise company presentations and business meetings for Spanish and Slovak companies that want to introduce their products and services in each other’s markets. It will support the promotion of its members through active cooperation with other foreign chambers of commerce.
It will provide corporate support to its members who have a question or problem with either institutional or private entities as well advice and assistance in applying for grants and EU subsidies. Last but not least, the chamber plans to create a job centre where its members will be able to post available job positions and review job applications.
