Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rodolphe "Skip" M. VALLEE
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 coat of arms of Slovakia (consisting of a red
shield bordered in white and bearing a white Cross of Lorraine
surmounting three blue hills); the coat of arms is centered
vertically and offset slightly to the hoist side
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. Foreign investment in the automotive sector has
been strong. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations in
2001-05, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at an
unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 16.4% in 2005, but remains
the economy's Achilles heel. Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$88.78 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$43.07 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$16,300 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 29.4% services: 67.2% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.24 million (30 September 2005 est.)