Foreigners in Slovakia, page 42
News and features on living in Slovakia
Did you know?
- Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It is 50 percent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world – only two people per square kilometre.
Slovak and Czech expat organisations in Australia
Association of Australian Slovaks in Sydney; ivanmaria@bigpond.comAssociation of Australian Slovaks Queensland; vatra@primus.com.auAustralian Slovak Information Centre; mmarkus@ozemail.com.auAustralian Slovaks’ Association in Victoria; www.asav.org.auBeseda in Canberra Czechoslovak Club in Queensland Czech and Slovak Association of Tasmania Slovak Association in WA; slovak_wa@hotmail.comSlovak Club of South Australia: with the Club of Slovak Youth and Slovaks in AdelaideSlovak Community Slovak Lutheran Congregation “Christ the Lord” Slovak Social Club of Ľudovít Štúr; john_horesh@hotmail.comSokol in Sydney; www.sokolsydney.com
Untapped economic potential
AUSTRALIA and Slovakia are literally on opposite sides of the world, separated by tens of thousands of kilometres. Along with the difference in the sizes of the two countries this distance has a big impact on mutual economic contacts, keeping them somewhat thin for now. As a result, there is still much untapped potential. Slovakia, which currently sends most of its exports to Europe, is looking to diversify and find new markets for its production. And a planned visit by top Australian businesspeople to Slovakia suggests that this country is within the sphere of interest of large Australian firms.
Australia: General facts
Political system: federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realmCapital: CanberraTotal area: 7,741,220 square kilometresPopulation: 22 millionOfficial language: none (English is the de facto national language)Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Australian institutions
Australian Embassy in AustriaThe Embassy in Vienna is accredited to Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and international organisations in Vienna
Potential for more Swiss investors
THERE are about 70 Swiss companies operating in Slovakia, making Switzerland the number 14 investor in Slovakia. But since Switzerland is the second biggest non-EU country investing in the EU, experts believe that there is a lot of untapped potential for the development of bilateral business relations.
Irish institutions in Slovakia
Embassy of IrelandAmbassador: Brian McElduffwww.embassyofireland.sk
Switzerland: General facts
Political system: federal parliamentary democracyCapital: BernTotal area: 41,285 square kilometresPopulation: 7.9 millionLanguages: German, French, Italian (official) andRumantsch (national)Currency: Swiss franc
Swiss institutions in Slovakia
Embassy of SwitzerlandAmbassador: Christian Fotschwww.eda.admin.ch/bratislav
Switzerland supports biodiversity
SWITZERLAND is financing two biodiversity projects in Slovakia intended to protect endangered ecosystems. One project is concerned with monitoring and researching forests, while the second aims to preserve and protect natural areas and habitats in the Slovak Carpathian mountains. The Swiss contribution to these two projects is around CHF4.2 million (€3.4 million), out of a total budget of CHF5.34 million (€4.3 million). The Monitoring and Research of Forest Ecosystems project helps Slovakia collect and process data required to access whether a forest has the ecological balance necessary to sustain itself, and aids with forestry planning.
Ireland aims to contribute experience
A RECOVERY country driving recovery in Europe: this is how Brian McElduff, Ambassador of Ireland to Slovakia, envisions the performance of his homeland while it occupies the rotating presidency of the European Union over the next six months. The country, which joined the European Union exactly 40 years ago, is embarking on its seventh EU presidency at a time when the union is facing a severe financial crisis and Ireland itself is feeling some of its harshest effects.
Irish community has a high profile
ALTHOUGH the Irish community in Slovakia is not large, and the Irish Embassy is also small, there is a steady stream of Irish-themed cultural and social events in Slovakia, many held in cooperation with the Irish Chamber of Commerce (ICham). Naturally, the highlight is St Patrick's Day, March 17, the day of the patron saint of Ireland, with many events revolving around it.
Ireland: General facts
Political system: parliamentary democracyCapital: DublinTotal area: 70,273 square kilometresPopulation: 4.7 millionOfficial languages: Irish and EnglishCurrency: euro
The Swiss commitment to common sense
A glossary of words as well as an exercise related to this article are also published online.
The crisis changed focus of investments
IRELAND and Slovakia are countries similar in size with very open economies, a high share of foreign direct investment in their GDP and membership of the eurozone. These conditions create a framework for successful business relationships and further growth, and make Slovakia an appealing option for Irish investors.
Remaining strong
GERMANY continues to be Slovakia’s strongest economic partner, a relationship that remains unchanged despite the slowdown in economic growth that both countries have experienced as a result of the current global economic situation.
German institutions and organisations in Slovakia
Embassy of the Federal Republic of GermanyAmbassador: Axel Hartmannwww.pressburg.diplo.de
German culture offers something for all
BOTH THE German Embassy and the Goethe Institut in Slovakia, which organise cultural and social events for the local public, emphasise the importance of spreading their native language in the central European region. However, they also bring to Slovakia a sampling of German culture through numerous and diverse forms of art, like classical and jazz music, film, modern dance and photography, among many others.
German-owned firms or companies with German investors in Slovakia
Allianz - Slovenská Poisťovňa, www.allianzsp.skBayer, www.bayer.skContinental Matador Rubber, www.matador.skGabor, www.gabor.skGleistein Slovakia, www.gleistein.comHenkel Slovensko, www.henkel.skKaufland Slovenská republika, www.kaufland.skLanxess, www.lanxess.skLeoni Autokabel Slowakia, www.leoni.comNagel Slovensko, www.nagel-group.comOsram, www.osram.skPrvá Stavebná Sporiteľňa, www.pss.skRajo, www.rajo.skRödl & Partner, www.roedl.skRWE IT Slovakia, www.rweit-slovakia.comSAP Slovensko, www.sap.skSiemens, www.siemens.skSlovak Telekom, www.slovaktelekom.skSchnellecke Slovakia, www.schnellecke.comSPP, www.spp.skT-Systems Slovakia, www.t-systems.skVolkswagen Slovakia, www.volkswagen.skVýchodoslovenská Energetika, www.vse.skZápadoslovenská Energetika, www.zse.sk
Continental expands in Slovakia
THE GERMAN company Continental, which has been producing components for cars’ brakes, continues to expand in Slovakia. It will build a new storage hall in Zvolen.
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