Robert Kaliňák has strong business ties to Jaroslav Strnad

Peter Šimko, legal representative of two companies owned by Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák and his long‑time associate, owns 49% of Kaumy through his Austrian company Pann. Kaumy owns several food companies. The remaining 51% is held by Jaroslav Strnad, from whom Slovakia purchases military equipment and with whom Kaliňák signs contracts. Šimko says he and Strnad have known each other for years and therefore do business together. Kaliňák denies any conflict of interest, even though he also has other ties to Strnad through several companies in the United Arab Emirates. (icjk.sk) At the end of last year, Kaumy acquired baby‑food and canned‑food producer Novofruct Nové Zámky from Lithuanian company NDX.