Yesterday, the Export Club discussion forum focused on Southeast Asia was held in Bratislava, organized by Eximbanka in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFAEES SR). The aim of the event was to provide Slovak companies with up-to-date information on business opportunities in this promising region, as well as on state export support instruments and the role of Eximbanka in their use.
The event was opened by the President of the National Assembly of the Slovak Republic Richard Raši, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rastislav Chovanec and CEO of Eximbanka Rastislav Podhorec.
As Rastislav Podhorec, Eximbanka’s CEO, pointed out in his speech, Southeast Asia is increasingly in the centre of attention in the current geopolitical and economic context. “World trade today is changing faster than ever before. Supply chains, trade relationships, investment flows and geopolitical priorities are changing. And the map of markets that European companies are looking at is changing with them. Southeast Asia is now one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand are strengthening their position in industry, energy, infrastructure and advanced technologies. At the same time, their middle class, investment and demand for new solutions and innovations are growing,” said Rastislav Podhorec.
According to Eximbanka, it is important for Slovakia that Slovak companies are able to assert themselves not only in traditional markets, but also in new and promising markets. Export promotion is not only a question of individual companies, but also of the competitiveness of the whole country. That is why the importance of instruments that help companies to manage risks, obtain financing and, thanks to them, to enter more distant or more difficult markets is growing.
In his speech, European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič placed the topic of export opportunities in Southeast Asia within the broader framework of the European Union’s trade policy and the need to diversify trade partnerships. “In today’s world, it is no longer enough to produce quality products. It is just as important to be able to compete in global markets, to navigate the changing geopolitical environment and to have partners that help companies manage risks and administrative barriers. This is what today’s discussion is about – Southeast Asia as one of the most dynamic regions in the world and how the EU can help Slovak and European companies to fully exploit its potential,” said Maroš Šefčovič.
In his speech he also pointed out the importance of the European Union trade agreements and their concrete benefits for European and Slovak exporters. He particularly highlighted the ASEAN region, which has more than 680 million inhabitants, a growing middle class, strong industrialisation and demand for modern technologies, infrastructure, green solutions, automotive components and digital services. In the case of Indonesia, he recalled that the new trade agreement will phase out tariffs on European cars while helping to eliminate duplicative testing through the recognition of UNECE international automotive standards.
The programme of the event continued with presentations by representatives of selected Southeast Asian countries. The export opportunities of their countries were presented to the representatives of the Slovak business environment by Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Slovak Republic, Giang Truong Pham, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Slovak Republic, Cheevindh Nathalang, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Thailand to the Slovak Republic, Dhani Eko Wibowo, Counsellor-Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Indonesia to the Slovak Republic, and Asrulnizam Addrus from the Malaysian Investment Development Organisation.
The Export Club also included two panel discussions. The first one was devoted to state instruments for export promotion, the second one to practical experience with exporting to South-East Asia. The discussions and the subsequent B2G meetings created a space to connect Slovak exporters, state institutions, economic diplomacy, financial institutions and practitioners.
Rastislav Podhorec also stressed the importance of such linking: “The Export Club was created to connect Slovak exporters, the state, economic diplomacy, financial institutions and practitioners. I am all the more pleased that today we have managed to meet in such a strong representation and discuss together topics that are important for the future of Slovak exports.”
Eximbanka’s goal is to support Slovak companies in entering new markets through the Export Club, to help them navigate export opportunities and to provide them with tools that will enable them to manage the risks associated with operating in more distant and challenging markets. As it was said at the event, Southeast Asia represents for Slovak exporters a region with growing demand, strong industrialization and significant potential for cooperation in the fields of industry, infrastructure, energy, modern technologies, digitalization or green solutions.