The first Tajikistan-Slovakia Business Forum took place in Bratislava, Slovakia on February 28.

Tajik Foreign Ministry information department says the meeting was opened by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sharaf Sheralizoda and the Deputy Minister of Economy of Slovakia Peter Svec.

Trade and investment opportunities of the two countries were presented at the meeting.

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The event was attended by representatives of state authorities of Tajikistan and Slovakia and entrepreneurs of both countries active in the fields of energy, manufacturing, services, oil and gas production, pharmaceuticals, etc.

The Forum reportedly provided an efficient platform to find business partners among entrepreneurs and expand trade and economic cooperation between the two countries

The economy of Slovakia is based upon Slovakia becoming an EU member state in 2004, and adopting the euro at the beginning of 2009. Its capital, Bratislava, is the largest financial center in Slovakia.

Bratislava, Košice, and the towns along the Váh River are Slovakia's main manufacturing centers.  Important industries include automobiles, machinery, steel, ceramics, chemicals, textiles, food and beverage processing, arms, and petroleum products.