Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott N.
THAYER
embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava
telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338
FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist
side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy Slovakia
Economy - overview:
Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a
centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA
government made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomic
stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly
complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,
and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom
with business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalization
and a 19% flat tax. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations
in 2001-04, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at
an unacceptable 15% in 2003-04, remains the economy's Achilles heel.
Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$78.89 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 30.1% services: 66.4% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 2.2 million (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)