Despite a slowdown in the reform process during the 1990s, Slovakia recently adopted a more forceful approach to economic reform. In addition, the government has embarked on a plan to restructure and privatise the country’s largest banks.Slovakia will benefit from the economic monitoring and peer reviews of the OECD, helping the government develop its long-term economic strategy. Membership of the OECD will also generate information flow to interested communities, particularly to potential investors who can help complete the economic transformation.With its own experiences of transition still fresh, the Slovak Republic can play an important role in ongoing discussions with prospective OECD members currently making the transition to market economies. The Slovak parliament will have to ratify the accession agreement before the Republic formally becomes and OECD member.©OECD Observer No 223, October 2000