AmCham Slovakia

Good Business Environment

The 2025 global economy faces uncertainty, with 3.3% projected growth amid inflation risks, geopolitical tensions, and trade policy shifts. US tariffs complicate trade, impacting the Euro Area’s competitiveness despite wage and employment gains. For Slovakia, which is deeply tied to global supply chains, these changes threaten its key automotive sector, potentially costing €3 billion and 20,000 jobs. On this first conference day, experts will discuss global and Euro Area trends, assessing their impact on Slovakia and exploring strategies to boost competitiveness and mitigate risks.

Agenda

9.00  GRAND OPENING

9.02  OPENING REMARKS

9.10  HOW DO AMCHAM SLOVAKIA’S CHAIRS VIEW OUR PATH TO COMPETITIVENESS?

9.20  EU COMPETITIVENESS: WHAT IT MEANS FOR SLOVAKIA  

• How does the Competitiveness Compass align with Slovakia's economic priorities and challenges?
• What specific measures from the Competitiveness Compass could Slovakia adopt to enhance its innovation capabilities?
• How can Slovakia leverage its existing talent pool to close the innovation gap identified in the Competitiveness Compass?

9.35  UNLOCKING SLOVAKIA’S GROWTH: MOBILIZING PRIVATE CAPITAL FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND COMPETITIVE ECONOMY 

• How can private financing sources be effectively mobilized to support businesses in Slovakia?
• What role does sustainable finance play in enhancing the competitiveness of Slovakia’s industry and services?
• What are Slovakia’s unique competitive advantages in industry and services that could attract more private capital?

9.45  STRENGTHENING SLOVAKIA’S ECONOMY: INVESTMENT, INNOVATION, AND FISCAL STRATEGY

10.45  SLOVAK COMPETITIVENESS

• How can Slovakia improve its competitiveness while managing fiscal consolidation and public finance challenges?
• What role do public-private partnerships play in addressing investment gaps and boosting competitiveness under fiscal constraints?
• How can the Recovery Plan support private sector investments in innovation and sustainability?
• What are the main challenges in executing the Recovery Plan, and how can they be overcome?

11.00  BRUNCH BREAK

11.30  SLOVAK COMPETITIVENESS. WHAT IS AT STAKE?

11.45  BOOSTING INVESTMENT IN SLOVAKIA: BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES ON POLICY AND GROWTH

• From a business perspective, what changes are necessary in public policy to make Slovakia a more attractive destination for private investment?
• How can businesses collaborate with policymakers to drive investments in digitalization and sustainability under current fiscal constraints?

12:30  SMART FISCAL CONSOLIDATION: OECD INSIGHTS ON EFFICIENT PUBLIC SPENDING AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

• How can Slovakia consolidate public finances on the expenditure side without compromising essential services and economic growth?
• What best practices from other OECD countries could Slovakia adopt to improve the efficiency of public spending?
• How can Slovakia balance fiscal consolidation with necessary investments in innovation, digitalization, and sustainability?

12.45  CONCLUDING REMARKS