During a recent trip to Slovakia, organized in part by Woodard Emhardt Of-Counsel Steve Zlatos, Governor Eric Holcomb signed a memorandum of understanding with the minister of economy from Slovakia. The trip was arranged with the aim to build on established relationships between Indiana and Slovakia.

The focus of the gathering was to identify and enhance collaborative efforts toward two-way investment, trade and workforce development. Opportunities exist in the areas of advanced manufacturing, defense, automotive, energy, agriculture technology, information technology, cybersecurity as well as educational areas. Slovakia has been cooperating with the Indiana National Guard since 1994 and there has been a mutual interest in deepening cooperation beyond the sphere of defense. Indiana University and Purdue University currently have connections to academic institutions in Slovakia.

In addition to Governor Holcomb and Mr. Zlatos, the group from Indiana included U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Adam Sterling, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and wife Cheryl, First Lady Janet Holcomb, Senate President Pro Tem David Long and wife Melissa, and General Courtney Carr, head of the Indiana National Guard. The team met in Bratislava with President of Slovakia, Andrej Kiska, and the Prime Minister, Peter Pellegrini.

A large community of Slovaks lives in Indiana, while Indianapolis is home to the Slovak honorary consulate headed by Steve Zlatos.