The level of corporate taxes in Slovakia isn't the decisive factor for foreign companies in placing investments in the country, with other circumstances also playing significant roles, such as the current zero tax on dividends, general director of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) Robert Simončič said on Thursday. Simončič was speaking at a meeting with a delegation of businessmen headed by Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce in Bratislava. “Income tax is certainly an important factor, but it isn't necessarily the key one,” said Simončič.
Bryce's delegation in Slovakia on Thursday met representatives of businessmen and state officials to discuss conditions for foreign investors and measures to tackle the crisis. Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák stated that the visit of the Australian delegation testifies to the success achieved by Slovakia. “We also view it as an expression of Australia's interest in the region of Central Europe, which we also welcome,” said Lajčák, adding that Slovakia and Australia share the same values, which create natural conditions for developing co-operation. According to Lajčák, the EU is currently Australia's biggest partner in the sphere of services, and when it comes to investments, the European Community is second only to the U.S.A. “Slovakia and Australia have already built up co-operation in the automotive sector,” added Lajčák.
