agenda slovak republic about amcham slovakia overview of amcham activities committee on business...
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Agenda• Slovak Republic
• About AmCham Slovakia
• Overview of AmCham Activities
• Committee on Business Academic Cooperation
• AmChams in Europe
• Q&A
Slovak Republic
• Population of 5.4 million
• Capital City Bratislava
• Location in the heart of Europe
• Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency on 1 January, 2009.
ABOUT AMCHAM SLOVAKIA
The American Chamber of Commerce in the Slovak Republic
The American Chamber of Commerce in the Slovak
Republic• Founded in Slovakia in 1993
• Officially authorized by the Ministry of Interior in May 1994
• Independent and self-supporting organization, dependant on contributions from its members, companies operating in Slovakia
• Independent of the US or Slovak government
• The most active foreign chamber in Slovakia
• Approximately 100 events and other activities & initiatives every year
The American Chamber of Commerce in the Slovak Republic
The American Chamber of Commerce in the Slovak Republic
Major business sectors in membership• Information Technologies (29)• Consulting and Corporate Advisory (27)• Manufacturing and Production (26)
Recruiting and Executive Search (21)Banking, Insurance and Finance (19)Legal Advisory (19)Education and Training (17)Automotive Industry (14)
Marketing, Advertising and PR (14)Hotels, Restaurants and Hospitality services (13)Accounting and Auditing (11)
PresidentIgor KOTTMANCiti
First Vice PresidentGeorge BABCOKEU. S. Steel Košice
Second Vice PresidentPeter ŠKODNÝAccenture
Third Vice PresidentMarcel REBROŠCisco Slovakia
Vice President of FinanceMark EBERSTKPMG
Board of Directors 2010/2011
Charles HACKETTGlaxoSmithKline
Milan HÁNIMP Consulting
Julian JUHASZSquire Sanders
Pavol KOPEČNÝEcenter
Martin KUBALAHewlett Packard
Jacob PREISLERPhilip Morris Slovakia
Eric ASSIMAKOPOULOSThe Carlton Hotel & Offices
Michaela BENEDIGOVÁSEESAME Communication
Todd BRADSHAWPricewaterhouseCoopers
Roman BRESTOVANSKÝIBM Slovakia
Stephen CAULFIELDDELL
Peter ČEREŠNÍKMicrosoft Slovakia
Official Mission Statement
The mission of the AmCham Slovakia is to be the leading representative for U. S., Slovak and international business in Slovakia, and to promote the global
competitiveness of the country.
Main Points of Focus:
Contacts
Information
Advocacy
2002, 2006 & 2010 - Before the 2002, 2006 and the 2010 Parliamentary Elections AmCham hosted
the
“Slovak Elections Political Party Speaker Series“
AmCham Events - Contacts
"Innovation Policy and Technology Transfer Conference“ – April 2010
Major Events
"Making Slovakia a Better Business Place" SME Survey and Conference
December 2010
Major Events
The Foreign Investors Survey focused on three main areas:
1. Competitive Workforce
2. Better Regulation
3. Current Issues and Trends
FDI Survey -- Current Issues and Trends
• A vast majority of foreign companies want to keep their operations at least at current levels or even expand • strong indication that Slovakia remains competitive
FDI Survey -- Current Issues and Trends
1. Monitoring & Issue Identification
2. Providing Information
3. Providing Access to Decision-Makers
4. Sharing Ideas, Best Practices & Commenting on
Legislation
5. Speaking with One Voice & Advocating Business Interests
AmCham Policy/Advocacy Activities
Monitoring & Issue IdentificationAmCham Legislative and Policy Update
Legislation in the pipeline
National and EU level of decision-making
Bi-weekly e-mail updates
Highlights in Connection
AmCham Policy/Advocacy Activities
Providing Information - Policy briefs and articles: Slovak Parliamentary Elections Main Elements of the Government Program Regulatory Impact Assessments Labor Code Revision Social Insurance Law Revision Income Tax Act Revision
Providing Access to Decision-Makers:
SR: Prime Minister plus all relevant ministers and state
secretaries
EU level: Commissioners, Members of the European
Parliament, etc.
AmCham Policy/Advocacy Activities
AmCham Committees and Task Forces
Sharing Ideas, Best Practices & Commenting on Legislation
• membership-driven, democratically elected leadership, regularly reporting to the Board
Committee on Business-Academic Cooperation Employment and Social Affairs Committee Health Care Committee Tax Committee Public Procurement Task Force Telecom Working Group, State Aid Task Force NEW: FDI Committee Other Initiatives: TOURISM, CSR, CIVIL CODE
AmCham Policy/Advocacy Activities
Speaking with One Voice & Advocating Business Interests
AmCham Policy/Advocacy Activities
AmCham Publications – “Connection” Magazine
• improved, modified and expanded • one of AmCham’s most appreciated services• widely read throughout the international business community
BUSINESS/ACADEMIC COOPERATIONCOMMITTEE
One of the most active committees in the American Chambers of Commerce
The Ministry of Education invited AmCham Slovakia to join its Advisory Committee on Education Law and Law on Vocational Education to comment on Education Law and drafting of the Law on Vocational Education.
Seven out of nine AmCham comments incorporated into Educational laws.
Advocacy & Legislative Contribution
COOPERATION WITH OTHER AMCHAMS
AmChams in Europe
AmChams in Europe
“The AmCham Network”
Today represents the corporate interests of well over 17,000 American and European companies. All Member Chambers are members of the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Encompasses approx. 40 countries
Over 20 million employees.
Member companies account for more than $1.1 billion in investment on both sides of the Atlantic.
Top 10 Reasons for Investing in Slovakia!
1. Central European hub.
2. Political & economic stability3. 19% flat tax rate4. Availability of highly skilled workforce5. Low labor costs vs. high labor productivity6. Liberal labor code7. Large selection of industrial land and offices available for purchase/lease8. Strong engineering, math and sciences tradition9. Infrastructure growing steadily
10. Consistent economic growth
THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!
More information at: www.amcham.skAmerican Chamber of Commerce in SR Jake Slegers, Executive [email protected]