A commentary by Rastislav Podhorc, CEO of Eximbanka, for Hospodárske noviny on the export behavior of Slovak companies.
Slovak companies do not operate in a simple environment. Business is influenced by geopolitical conflicts, increasing regulatory requirements, changing supply chains, and pressure to diversify markets. Despite this, domestic exporters remain ambitious and are seeking new opportunities both at home and abroad.
The results of Eximbanka’s 2026 Export Barometer show that success in foreign markets does not depend primarily on acquiring new customers. According to respondents, the biggest obstacle to exporting is finding or verifying a reliable business partner, which was cited by 26.9 percent of those surveyed. Companies thus more often grapple with the issue of partner credibility than with a lack of business opportunities itself. This is followed by financial risks and payment terms, which 20.4 percent of respondents consider a significant challenge. Regulatory, legislative, and certification requirements also play an important role. We see the same trend when selecting a local partner in a foreign market. Companies value knowledge of the local market, the partner’s trustworthiness, and the ability to build long-term business relationships the most. Price and speed of market entry, by contrast, play a significantly smaller role.
The survey also showed that Slovak companies take a responsible approach to exporting. They most often manage risks by thoroughly vetting their partners, a practice used by nearly 28 percent of respondents. High-quality contractual safeguards, setting payment terms, and market research are also important. Exporters realize that success abroad is not a matter of chance, but of systematic preparation. It is noteworthy that the same message was echoed in the recommendations of experienced exporters. Nearly one-third of respondents advise companies to start by selecting a high-quality partner and building a long-term relationship. Trust thus becomes the common denominator of success throughout the entire export process.
This is an important signal for Eximbanka. The results confirm that when expanding into foreign markets, companies need not only financing but also effective tools for managing export risks. The ability to trade safely and protect against non-payment or political and territorial risks is one of the prerequisites for success in foreign markets today. At a time of growing global uncertainty, trust is becoming one of the most valuable commodities in international trade, and the ability to build trustworthy partnerships will increasingly determine the success of Slovak exporters.