Export And Import Of Entrepreneurial Entities In The Slovak Republic

While the end of the 20th century is characterized by abnormal growth and acquisitions amplified by the multinational companies in international markets, the beginning of the 21st century is marked by small and medium-sized enterprises. Unlike large firms, however, position, role and importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international markets is considerably smaller. SME Market power of SMEs is not so great to be able to influence government decision-making and promote their interests at home and abroad. Nevertheless, SMEs constitute a critical mass of firms in the country, employing about 70% of the population; they are flexible, innovative and able to respond quickly to market needs. Compared with large enterprises they also have many drawbacks. Furthermore, besides their market power production is an „expensive“ greater demand on staff, lack of funds and a small share in international markets. It is evident that SMEs compared to large companies have bad much more advantages and disadvantages. Their most common problem is that their power to promote the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises is small. Therefore, in the support for SMEs are often engaged state or supranational organizations. What is, however, the situation of SMEs in international markets? It really true that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operate only in local markets and in the foreign trade they are involved only in limited extent? It is just for their "smallness", or are there any other reasons why these companies are not engaged in international business? Or are SMEs in foreign markets and just nobody knows about them? We seek answers to these questions on the example of businesses operating in the Slovak Republic. Therefore, the contribution deals with the structure of business entities in Slovakia, their division into individual sectors and consequently the size of exported and imported value of enterprises by size classes and according to appropriate industry.