Slovakia passes bill to develope economic ties with China until 2020

BRATISLAVA — The Slovak cabinet on Tuesday passed a bill detailing the basis to develop economic relations between Slovakia and China for 2017-20.

The document covers the main prospects for cooperation such as investments, business and trade. Slovakia wants to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, find solutions to visa issues, as well as promote Slovakia in China.

According to the document, Slovakia welcomes the Belt and Road Initiative. "Infrastructure in Slovakia could become part of the scheme, and be used for boosting Slovakia's transport in north-south and east-west directions," reads the document.

The Slovak government attaches key importance to the exchange of customs information, as stipulated in an agreement inked by the two countries' customs authorities in November 2016.

Mutual trade turnover between Slovakia and China is more than $6 billion yearly. China is the third biggest import partner of Slovakia after Germany and Czech Republic.