History of the chamber
The history of the civil association Israel Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia dates back to 2001, when trade and diplomatic relations between Israel and the Slovak Republic began to develop significantly. The Chamber was established to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries and to create a platform for entrepreneurs looking for new business opportunities.
Since its inception, the chamber has played a key role in supporting investment, trade and technological development between Slovakia and Israel. It started as an initiative of a small number of visionaries and entrepreneurs from both countries, who saw great potential in the connection of the Israeli innovation culture and the Slovak growing market. Over the years, the chamber has grown and expanded its activities, while today it serves as a strategic partner for many companies and entrepreneurs.
The Chamber actively organized business delegations, networking events, seminars and conferences, thereby creating a platform for the exchange of information, new ideas and technologies. Significant milestones in its history have been the signing of partnerships with government institutions and the expansion of membership to key players from various sectors, including technology, healthcare, finance and energy.
Today, the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia represents a recognized actor in the international business environment and continues its mission to deepen trade and investment relations between Israel and Slovakia.
"The birth of the Chamber was not easy. At first, I resisted the offer of Israeli friends to create such a civic initiative. Then the person who had it registered with the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic refused to provide an empty sign with the name Slovak-Israeli Chamber of Commerce to the emerging citizens' initiative, even though he had no existing chamber of commerce of the given type. In the end, many Slovak businessmen were reluctant to join it because of the not-happily chosen alternative name of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia, even though they were favorably disposed to the idea of friendship and business cooperation with the State of Israel, so that they would not be unnecessarily suspected by those around them of having hidden Jewish ancestors, or that they themselves are only well-hidden Jews," recalls Miloš Žiak, the founding chairman of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia.