Trade & tourism: Slovakia calling

Bengaluru: “India is evolving and progressing fast. India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, is known for its innovation, startups, IT and research. We are looking at developing bilateral ties between Slovak Republic and India in trade and tourism,” said Mr Lukas Parizek, state secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, here on Wednesday.

Mr Parizek was speaking after inaugurating a Slovak consulate office in the city. Dr Roy C.J., founder and chairman of Confident Group, was appointed Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic to head the European Union State Consulate in Bengaluru with jurisdiction over Karnataka and Kerala.

Stating that a business delegation will visit India to understand the Indian market in depth, he said, “Tata Sons-owned Jaguar Land Rover set up the biggest European factory worth 1.5 billion pounds in Slovakia, making it the largest Indian foreign investment in the last two years.” He said that they are looking to boost ties in education. “There is a spike in the number of Indian students coming to study in Slovakia. Our embassy officials are already in talks with Indian universities to improve the possibilities for Indian students in Slovakia and our students in India,” he said.

On boosting tourism, he said, “Slovaks are fond of Ayurveda and yoga. They can come down here for a 2-3 week rejuvenation therapy and yoga. Even Slovakia has a huge tourism potential. It has pristine forests and mountains. Right from hiking to cycling to swimming to sports, we have it all. Spas treat various skin diseases and bone and other disorders with water treatment.”