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Information and communications technology to the Slovak Republic
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(Last updated: 12 Jul 2007)
Trends and opportunities
The market
The Slovakian information technology market is estimated to be worth about A$600 million, with a 10 per cent annual growth rate.
The fastest developing segments of the market are:
- services
- hardware
- software, IT and telecommunication services segments
The suppliers of information technologies focus on entities creating their own communication infrastructure; financial institutions, governmental organisations and state-owned companies.
In 2006, the number of Internet users was 2.1 million out of five million total inhabitants.
Since 1 January 2003 all telecommunication services except the basic voice telephone service have been liberalised. The Ministry of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications is the central body regulating the telecommunications sector. It is responsible for telecommunication policy, legislation, and regulation of services, state telecommunication policy and the strategic aims of this sector.
The liberalisation process creates major business opportunities for Australian telecommunications manufacturers, operators and service providers. Recent liberalisation has already resulted in increased services, with a corresponding growth in the number of clients. The strongest growth has been registered in mobile, data communications and Internet services.
Opportunities
The best opportunities for Australian suppliers in the Slovak Republic's ICT sector are currently:
- telecommunications equipment and services
- innovative small enterprise solutions and CRM products
- e-banking and e-commerce products
- e-government applications
- e-health
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Tariffs, regulations and customs
The customs duty is assessed from the customs value of goods on the basis of tariff rates stated for particular goods in the customs tariff. Their application at the assessment of customs duty depends on the establishment of the origin of goods, which are imported or exported.
The contractual tariff measures preferential tariff measures, and other tariff measures are provided either on the basis of international multilateral (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – GATT, Central European Free Trade Agreement – CEFTA) or bilateral agreements (agreements on free trade), or on the basis of unilateral measures adopted to help less developed countries.
The tariff rates in the customs tariff are divided into:
- general rates
- contractual rates
- preferential tariff measures
- other tariff measures
The Slovak Republic is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the level of customs duties is in line with international standards. Customs duty varies according to the goods in question but on average, is about five per cent.
The Customs Authority of the Slovak Republic usually requires a prepayment of duty, a bond or bank guarantee up to the value of the duty, plus Value Added Tax payable on the imported goods, before they release them from customs control.
Industry standards
The majority of goods imported to the Slovak Republic are subject to compulsory certification, which is provided by local authorities.
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Marketing your products and services
Market entry
These will vary according to product or service, however, the key steps are to identify and contact a country based distributor and obtain appropriate certification.
When marketing your product or service in the Slovak Republic it is advisable to:
- Visit the market regularly
- Identify local representation who can advise on industry trends
- Prepare supporting information and promotional materials
- Participate in major trade exhibitions
Exporting or marketing online has been developing, dependent as it is on the growing number of Internet users.
Distribution channels
Distribution channels in the Slovak Republic's ICT sector vary according to product or service. Generally it is recommended you secure a local distributor.
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Contact details
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.
Austrade:
- Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
- Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
- Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
- Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
- Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
- Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.
A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.
More information
For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au |
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