Developing business opportunities for Slovak companies, strengthening international partnerships, and exploring new financing options for export projects were the main topics of a working visit by Eximbanka representatives to Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation, led by Rastislav Podhorc, CEO and Chairman of the Bank’s Board, participated in the first-ever Slovak-Thai Business Forum and held bilateral talks with Thai partners as well as representatives of international financial institutions.
The Business Forum, opened by Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, brought together 16 Slovak companies and institutions with 90 Thai partners. In his remarks, Rastislav Podhorec presented opportunities to support Slovak exporters through Eximbanka’s financial and insurance instruments. Economic cooperation between the two countries offers scope for further development. Mutual trade increased from approximately 300 million euros in 2021 to nearly 570 million euros in 2025, with Slovak exports reaching approximately 38 million euros.
The delegation’s itinerary—which included Matúš Šársky, director of the International Relations Department—featured meetings with Thai Trade Commissioner Werapong Praphom, representatives of the partner export-credit institution, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, as well as with Thai partners of Slovak exporters whose activities Eximbanka currently supports. The discussions focused on further developing cooperation and opportunities, particularly in water management, the defense industry, cybersecurity, and sustainable technologies.
The working visit took place during the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Bangkok, where Eximbanka was part of the Slovak delegation. Meetings with Slovak representatives at both institutions and partners from the global financial sector provided an opportunity to discuss development cooperation, pooling financial resources for larger-scale projects—including opportunities for cooperation with the IFC—as well as financing complex investment projects under the EPC+F model.
The activities in Bangkok build on Eximbanka’s long-term efforts to support the diversification of Slovak exports and develop partnerships in promising markets in Southeast Asia. The February business trip to Indonesia was followed by further activities, including an Export Club focused on business opportunities in the region and a September meeting of ASEAN country representatives in Bratislava. Additional business meetings are planned for November in the Philippines.
Eximbanka thus links the specific needs of Slovak exporters with the development of international partnerships and the search for financial solutions that can help them gain a foothold even in more distant and challenging markets.