ExportAir INTERNATIONAL
By Council of Slovak Exporters
ExportAir INTERNATIONALSep 08, 2022
SPANISH AMBASSADOR ARRIBALZAGA CEBALLOS
A fascinating exploration into Spain and it's historical relationship with Slovakia on multiple levels. This episode features the Spanish Ambassador to Slovakia Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, and her in depth and nuanced thoughts on Spanish Slovak Trade, the EU and so much more! A must listen!
US AMBASSADOR GAUTAM A. RANA
Exportair International returns to the airwaves with a thoroughly engaging discussion with H.E. US Ambassador to Slovakia, Gautam A. Rana. Mr. Ambassador pinpointed Slovakia's growing economic and strategic relationship with the United States as well as touching on areas of potential growth such as Greentech and those that require improvement; such as tourism! Select USA was mentioned as a gateway to Slovak interests in the US, and the convivial discussion was also underscored by his special relationship to Slovak food, wine and culture. A must listen to episode!
ROHIT ROY - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONFIDENT GROUP
Perhaps most fascinating is Rohit's online persona and world famous Instagram handle of Don Casanova which boasts a fabulously followed and eclectic car collection which has spun off into merchandising. The podcast concluded with Rohit mentioning Confident's desire to have a European presence with Slovakia as a potential destination for investment.
H.E. LEVAN DAVITASHVILI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF GEORGIA
H.E. PAWEL JABLONSKI - DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, POLISH REPUBLIC
Exportair International had the pleasure this week of hosting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Poland; H.E. Paweł Jabłoński in its latest edition. The Deputy Minister was in Slovakia to attend the Hospodárske noviny Biznis Fórum Poľsko – Slovensko, as well as other high-level meetings.
Topics for discussion included; Impact of the Ukraine war on Poland and the region, Slovak-Polish ties, The Three Seas Initiative and the need for the V4 to propel into broader markets through stronger cohesion and connectivity. Listen for more!
H.E. ITALIAN AMBASSADOR FLUMIANI
Her Excellency Madam Ambassador Catherine Flumiani, Italian Ambassador to Slovakia joins the illustrious list of guests to Exportair International for a charming discussion on her mission. Madame Ambassador stressed Italy's ongoing commitment to Ukraine in various areas and was quick to highlight subsequently the galvanization of the ambassador community in response to the atrocities and also the collective spirit among EU nations. The next areas that were covered in depth were the ongoing strength of bilateral relations both economically and otherwise as well as Italy's commitment to drive its export up in Slovakia to match previous heights, the cooperation to bolster the Italian language and the rich history of the relationship between the nations culminating in a celebration of 25 years of the Italian-Slovak Chamber of Commerce which will be celebrated this year. Her Excellency also impressed upon us to discard misconceptions in relation to cultural stereotypes, Italy's reform environment and the robust investments being noticed all over the country with latest attention levelled toward the Poprad region, and President Caputova's successful visit in Rome. The convivial discussion was concluded by reinforcing the message that 'Quality' represents the true brand of Slovakia and that shared ambition sees both countries forging even stronger ties in the future.
SANCTIONS - JOZEF HRABINA
The discussion revolves around debunking the global perceptions of the current climate of sanctions, its multi-layered definitions and interpretations, divorcing from Russian energy and also to tease an in-house publication authored by Jozef, highlighting the latest raft of measures that are impacting all corners of the globe.
H.E. ROMAN VASSILENKO, DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF KAZAKHSTAN
The message was clear; that despite the sanctions on Russia and January’s civil unrest - Kazakhstan will be building its FDI potential with Europe, enhanced by economic reforms at home and liberalising the investment climate as much as possible. In his brief, but pointed discussion he mentioned Slovak innovations as a key link between the two countries and championed the ambitious efforts of the Council of Slovak Exporters who have achieved so much in such a short time.
The podcast was hosted by Zulf Hyatt-Khan.
GLOBSEC - CHIEF ECONOMIST SONA MUZIKAROVA
In the latest episode of Exportair International, we are joined by Globsec's Chief Economist Sona Muzikářová who talks in depth about the wide ranging ramifications of global economic sanctions imposed on Russia, which have been garnering headlines everywhere. We also touched upon the built in provisions that were made to ensure any transition could be mitigated, such as de-dollarization, Russia's own payment instruments and so forth. Other topics included; the ability for Slovakia to step out of the international wilderness and become an invaluable neighbour to Ukraine as the refugee exodus spills into Europe, the instability of forex, increasing oil prices etc. At times hard to divorce emotion from hard realities, the debate also focused on the need for Europe to accelerate its shift from fossil fuel dependency even quicker than it had envisaged and opportunities that crises present.