Slovak Prime Minister Fico Travels to Vietnam with Penta Group Executive

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was accompanied by Jaroslav Haščák, a key figure from the Penta investment group, during his recent visit to Vietnam. The government dismissed questions about why the prime minister's closer ties with Haščák should be a media concern. Haščák has previous connections to Southeast Asia through his studies of Chinese language and his early major business deals in textiles in the region. The Penta investment group has not specified its plans for Vietnam, though they may involve healthcare or gambling sectors. This represents another indication of growing proximity between Fico's Smer-SD party, which leads Slovakia's ruling coalition, and the influential Penta group. The investment company previously attempted but failed to expand in this region when it ultimately did not extend its Dr. Max pharmacy chain into China.