Eximbanka andthe Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation in supporting Slovak exports and in activities focused on helping Slovak companies enter foreign markets.
Rastislav Podhorec, CEO of Eximbanka; Igor Barát, Deputy CEO; and Pavol Sirotný, Executive Director of the Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, signed yesterday, July 9, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the two institutions.
The memorandum establishes a framework for long-term cooperation based on the principles of partnership, support, and coordination. Its purpose is to establish mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at improving export support and activities focused on helping Slovak companies enter foreign markets. Both parties have also committed to cooperating in developing initiatives that can help Slovak entrepreneurs better navigate foreign trade opportunities in the Southeast Asian region.
“Slovak companies have high-quality products, technologies, and services, but when entering more distant markets, they often need more than just general information about a region’s potential. They need to know about specific opportunities, risks, business partners, and available financing and insurance tools. This is precisely where we see the practical value of our collaboration with the Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce. Our ambition is to provide exporters with relevant information while also offering them solutions that will help them manage the financial and territorial risks involved in expansion,” said Rastislav Podhorec, CEO of Eximbanka.
The cooperation will focus primarily on the exchange of information in the area of export promotion, organizing export events, actively disseminating relevant information to the Slovak business community, educational activities, and informing Slovak companies about business opportunities in foreign trade. The cooperation may also include the creation and use of online communication platforms, analytical documents, and educational materials.
“Our shared ambition is to create new opportunities for Slovak exporters, support Slovak companies’ entry into Southeast Asian markets, connect business communities, and develop strategic partnerships in the areas of trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable development. We believe that by combining our expertise, international contacts, and export support tools, we will contribute to the greater competitiveness of Slovak companies and to building long-term economic relations between Slovakia and the ASEAN countries,” said Pavol Sirotný, executive director of the Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce.
The signing of the memorandum follows other Eximbanka initiatives aimed at introducing new, promising markets to Slovak exporters. One such initiative was the recent Export Club event dedicated to Southeast Asia, which provided Slovak companies with information on export and expansion opportunities in this dynamically developing region. The memorandum with the Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce creates further opportunities to translate the information, contacts, and experiences gained from such events into more concrete support for the business community.
Southeast Asia represents an attractive market for Slovak exporters in terms of growth potential, diversification of export markets, and the development of business partnerships beyond traditional destinations. Eximbanka has long supported Slovak companies in entering foreign markets through financing, bank guarantees, and export risk insurance. In cooperation with the Slovak–ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, it will be able to better link this support with information on business opportunities, the market environment, and the practical needs of exporters.
“Our role is to help Slovak companies in situations where entering a foreign market is not just a matter of business ambition, but also of the ability to properly assess risks and arrange financing. Cooperation with Slovak “The ASEAN Chamber of Commerce can help ensure that Slovak exporters gain access to relevant information and contacts sooner and are better prepared to take advantage of business opportunities in a more practical way,” added Rastislav Podhorec.
The memorandum provides a framework for further coordination of activities to benefit Slovak entrepreneurs and for joint initiatives aimed at promoting exports, education, the exchange of information, and the development of business ties between the Slovak business community and foreign partners.