It must have been easier in the "olden days" when all anyone needed to set up an office was a desk, a pen, and a few sheets of paper. In today's world of computer links, fax machines, and telephone networks, it's not so easy - especially in Slovakia. There are a few places around, however, that can help by renting either office equipment or fully-equipped office space.
One caveat: most of the "leasing" companies in Slovakia don't actually rent equipment, be it a car or a computer. Instead, they are financiers, providing loans to customers to purchase a specific item - sort of like a third-party installment plan. According to B.O.F. Leasing of Bratislava, interest rates are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the item to be purchased, the length of the lease, and so on.
To actually rent office equipment, a better bet may be a computer dealer, although only a scarce few rent their products. Softline Services in Bratislava (Priemyselna 1, 07/521-3044] rents IBM-compatible computers, printers, faxes, modems, scanners, and monitors. A package based on a Pentium 75 costs 1,176 Sk; a Pentium 120 runs 1,937 Sk a month; and a Pentium 166 costs 2,550 Sk a month. They can arrange installation and delivery as well, for a price based on agreement.
Beyond computer dealers, most companies that set up offices do it on their own premises, and rent out completely furnished office space, with options for staff as well. Bíznis Centrum on Fajnorovo nám. in Bratislava rents out an office with PC and telephone for 400 Sk per hour, without value-added tax. They can also provide a secretary, for 200 Sk an hour, and an interpreter for English or German for 500 Sk an hour.
The Hotel Danube rents out two office spaces: one, Kancelária #24, is 16 square meters and costs 80 DM; the other is a business center with room for 16 people and a view of the Danube for 400 Sk an hour. They also tally separate costs for all kinds of services, from renting a computer to faxing by page, to copying transparencies, to interpreting, to couriers. In addition, they rent out four conference rooms and conference equipment [overhead projectors, simultaneous translation, video cameras].
In Banská Bystrica, the Hotel Arcade rents out space in their hotel: a "presidential apartment" that holds 150 people reception-style, a 10-person meeting room, a 30-person dining room and a 120-person coffee room. They have set prices for renting an overhead projector, flip chart or TV/VCR, and can also arrange for phones, computers, fax machines, and translators on demand. It's best to book one month in advance.
In Košice, the Dom Techniky rents four halls. Three have theater-style seating and the capacity for 80, 120, and 200 people, respectively; all come equipped with a sound system, TV set and VCR, overhead and slide projectors. The smallest room, with a large conference table, holds 25 people. A telephone line is available for any room as well for 800 Sk plus the cost of calls, and a PC for about 500 Sk a day. Unfortunately, they will be in reconstruction during the summer months, and September is fully booked, but they have some free space in October and beyond.
