HISTORY
Slovakia (long form: Slovak Republic; Slovak: Slovensko, long form Slovenská republika) is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 square kilometres (almost 19,000 square miles). The Slovak Republic borders the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. The largest city is its capital, Bratislava. Slovakia is a member state of the European Union, NATO, OECD, WTO, and other international organizations.
Slovakia became independent on 1 January 1993. Before this date, from after World War II, it was part of Czechoslovakia and came under the influence of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact from 1948 onward. In 1969, the state became a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic. The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989, during the peaceful Velvet Revolution, was followed once again by the country's dissolution, this time into two successor states.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after January 1, 1993, an event sometimes called the Velvet Divorce, but Slovakia has remained close partners with the Czech Republic, as well as with other Central European countries within the Visegrad Group. Slovakia became a member of the European Union in May 2004.
ECONOMY
Slovakia has pursued a difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. Major privatizations are nearly complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands, and foreign investment has picked up.
In 2006, Slovakia reached the highest economic growth among the members of OECD. The 9.8% growth came as a surprise to local analysts (6% were expected), given that the big foreign investor Kia is going to launch its production only in late 2006.
INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS
Human Development Index 2006: Rank 42nd out of 177 countries
Index of Economic Freedom 2006: Rank 34th out of 157 countries
Reporters Without Borders world-wide press freedom index 2006: Rank 8th out of 168 countries
Global Competitiveness Report ranking 2006-2007: Rank 37th out of 125 countries.
(Source: Wikipedia)
OPPORTUNITIES IN SLOVAKIA
Slovakia is a new emerging country; from a centrally planned to a market economy. Slovakia wants to catch up with the rest of Western Europe and play a meaningful part in the European Union as well.
Currently, there are good business opportunities in the areas of:
a) Automobile Industry - known now as the Detriot of Europe Slovakia is producing up to 900,000 vehicles for export. However there are room for related industries to make their presence felt - spare parts, tyres, accessories
b) Tourism - Slovakia has a population of over 5 million people and a tourist arrival of over 30 million in 2006. Slovakia features interesting natural landscapes, mountains, deep caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts. There are UNESCO heritage sites as well as pristine and untouched natural areas.
c) Real Estate - many West Europeans are coming to Slovakia to take advantage of the low cost housing in resort villages and spa towns. There is not many restriction to foreign ownership of real estate, even for non EU citizens.
d) Low Cost FMCG Goods - Slovakia is moving into a consumer economy as well. While not as 'rich' as the West Europeans, Slovakians do have the spending power to purchase the things they want.
e) F & B - Linked to the point about FMCG - Asian cuisine is accepted and welcome in Slovakia. There is also Asian influence in the daily food of Slovaks.
Any reader interested to know about the business opportunities or other items presented could for details. | 
