H.E. Mr.Alexander IIascik

ANA: Excellency, as you are nearing the end of your tenure in India, how has your experience been and what have been the highlights of your tenure?

Ambassador: The 4.5 years spent in India has been not only challenging but a most memorable and rewarding experience. As I came to India one of my focused aims was to strengthen the relationship between our two countries on two fronts – not only the political and economic front, but also socio-cultural relations. I am very satisfied that both these areas have been enriched. The Slovak people are eager to know not only the India of today, but also India’s historic and cultural diversity. So for us it is a matter of preserving some traditions and heritage of the past, and adjust to the new situation when we share the same democratic values with open market economies. We have ancient links with India, which date back to centuries. Old trade links began in the Middle Ages. Both countries have a common view of peaceful coexistence, sovereignty and independence of all nations. Slovakia also struggled against totalitarian rule, following the principles advocated by the father of the Indian nation - Mahatma Gandhi - that is the principle of “non - violence”. On a personal level I have traveled as much as I was able to, and experienced first hand the warmth and diversity of your vibrant country.

ANA: Excellency, both India and Slovak Republic have taken the initiative to form trade and industry-focus bodies, including Indo-Slovak Joint Committee on Economic and Commercial Co-operation and Indo-Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ISCCI), to enhance the potential of bilateral trade. How far have these organizations been successful in your opinion?

Ambassador: I am really very glad that during my diplomatic mission in India I had chance to be at the cradle of the genesis of absolutely new activities like founding Indo- Slovak Joint Committee on Economic Co-operation (ISJCEC) as well as Indo-Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ISCCI). Both organizations have their regular meetings and I am more than happy that next – already 7th session of ISJCEC will be hosted by Slovak side. We are just now in the discussion with our Indian partners to find concrete data convenient for both sides. I appreciate the positive impact of this sessions on our mutual trade and economic cooperation but I feel that new initiatives need to be taken as well for forging and fostering stronger economic ties.

ANA: Slovakia has done exceptionally well in reforming and improving its business climate. According to latest report, the auto industry in Slovakia is attracting FDI despite recession. In this light what are the aspects that should be highlighted, in your opinion, to draw more FDI from India to Slovakia and which are the other sectors that could attract Indian investments?

Ambassador: The comprehensive and deep structural reforms by the Slovak Government over the last years have focused on creating a business friendly environment for investors. The main reforms are, directly or indirectly, influencing economic stability. To utilize the knowledge of the Slovak people, investment incentives focus on investment projects from the high-tech sector and strategic services. The state aid in these projects could reach 50 % of the investment costs. Concerning sectors, besides mentioned auto industry, the best business opportunities can be found in the following areas: research and development, design and innovation, technology, high-tech sectors, information and communication centers and software development.

Additional opportunities are found in the traditionally strong sectors with growth potential in Slovakia: machinery and precision engineering, metallurgy and metal processing, electronics, chemistry and pharmaceuticals. As to the Indo - Slovak Investment Portfolio, Indian FDI to Slovakia are routed mostly from NRI´s (Non-Resident Indians) based abroad. It is my pleasure to say that today there are many Indian companies which are expressing their interest to invest in Slovakia. The producer of the Tatra vehicles TANAX Banovce has Indian shareholder which is M/S.Vectra Motors from Bangalore. And I am proud to inform you that there are few examples of Slovak investments in India as well. In 2005 Slovakia established a joint venture Texpro Films in Indore. The joint venture is 50-50 partnership between Slovak Chemosvit and Indian X-pro. The plant was commissioned in 2005 and produces special foils for electro-technical industry. Bangalore is the base for Slovak India Trading Co., Pvt., Ltd. SITCO) which is other example of successfully working Indo-Slovak Joint Venture making shoes and employing more than 400 people.

ANA: India’s main exports to Slovak Republic are agricultural commodities, leather footwear components, pharmaceuticals products, electronic goods, machinery and instruments. Which are those commodities and services Excellency which your country would like to import from India to serve Slovakia’s domestic demand better?

Ambassador: We definitely would like to import from India medical products, laboratory equipment, I.T. technologies, etc. To be frank I am not the very big supporter of import of the consumer goods and I prefer goods with long term positive effects on the economy. From my four-and-half-year stay in India I know, that also Indian effort is to increase export of non-traditional or niche product groups such as engineering, software, computer consumable products & information technology, chemicals & pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. This is the way we would like to go in the future.

ANA: Despite their geographical distance, both India and Slovak Republic share historical and cultural linkages. They have signed agreements to cooperate in the fields of culture, arts, sports and mass media. What in your opinion should be done in India and Slovakia to further strengthen the existing bilateral socio-cultural relations and create more awareness about each others rich heritage?

Ambassador: I am very pleased to say that the scale of cultural exchanges between Slovakia and India during the past 4 years has expanded to include an increasingly richer content. The past programs, mainly in collaboration with the ICCR, due to the reciprocal cultural treaty signed with the Government of India, have been frequent, varied in context, and highly appreciated by the audiences in New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata, Varanasi and Chandigarh. For the future we wish to focus on showcasing the vibrant regional folk music and craftspeople, which are unique to Slovakia, perhaps in the form an entire Slovak Cultural Week, to be held in several cities of India. In my view, a dynamic cultural exchange flow is already in existence between our two countries, and a wide appreciation and knowledge base has been created among the discerning audiences in both countries.

ANA: Both India and Slovakia have managed to protect their banking sectors amidst the financial market meltdown, and both the countries are poised to register positive growth, even in this trying time. In this respect, what do you think have been the common traits in India and Slovakia that have helped both economies face this crisis?

Ambassador: Thank you for this question. It is difficult, but important one. The answer is a little bit complicated, but I´ll try very briefly. We share identical or similar attitudes towards implementation of the economic theory into the practical life, support of the entrepreneur´s sphere, support of the domestic employment, support of the domestic consumption and activation of the new fiscal policy. Last but not least let me say that growing significance of India and Slovakia in the global world, strategic location of both countries and economic reforms are excellent preconditions for our economic progress. So I see Indo-Slovak future business relations as very bright and perspective.

ANA: In 2006, Slovakia became the first country to ratify and become party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Given Slovakia’s strong stance against terrorism, what is your country’s view on the growing incidences of extremism and terrorism in the Indian sub-continent?

Ambassador: We are confident that extremism and specially terrorism uses ideologies that promote racial, ethnic and religious hatred, violence and genocide, and endeavours to undermine basic democratic values of the society such as openness, freedom of individuals, value of human life, and tolerance. The Slovak Republic has a zero tolerance for any kind of terrorist activities and condemns all forms of terrorism irrespective of its origin and its ideological, political, ethnic or religious underpinnings. The use of violence for any purposes is unjustifiable in civilized society. In this regard, we stand firmly with the Indian government fighting violent extremism, that sows hatred among the various religious and ethnic groups in India. Thank you for your time and comments. Asia News Agency would like to wish you all the best with your future endeavors.