{"id":3259,"date":"2025-06-13T13:22:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T11:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/een.si\/slovenian-global-forum-the-future-of-the-slovenian-economy-is-global\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T09:49:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T07:49:47","slug":"slovenian-global-forum-the-future-of-the-slovenian-economy-is-global","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/een.si\/en\/slovenian-global-forum-the-future-of-the-slovenian-economy-is-global\/","title":{"rendered":"Slovenian Global Forum: the future of the Slovenian economy is global"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Slovenian Global Forum, the main national event for the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy, took place in Maribor today with almost 400 participants. The conference, which for the second time is being held under the new brand of the Slovenian Global Forum, this year highlighted the disruptive changes in the global economy and the opportunities they open up for Slovenian companies. <\/p>\n\n

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Panel How to be a Winner in the New Global Economy | Author:Klemen Golob<\/p>\n\n

At a time of great economic change, this year’s Forum focuses on strengthening the global objectives and opportunities of Slovenian companies to win new opportunities in the world with new sustainable products and solutions, and on the other hand to increase Slovenia’s attractiveness for new investments with high added value.<\/p>\n\n

The enormous potential of using artificial intelligence and integrating it into business operations and process automation was presented by Dr Jure Leskovec, Professor at Stanford, pioneer in the field of network analysis, co-founder of successful companies in Silicon Valley, and a scientist whose work is influencing the development of the digital future. He added that the companies of the future are those based on artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n\n

Slovenia has the ambition to be more than a small player in the global economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Slovenian companies are proving that Slovenian know-how, innovation and quality are among the world’s best, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, to space technologies, the automotive industry, advanced mobility and artificial intelligence. But success is not a given. At a time of technological breakthroughs, green transition and global tectonic shifts, Slovenia needs to build a visible, proactive and agile economic profile in the world. <\/p>\n\n

Well-known economists spoke about the diversity of Slovenia’s economic potential and the vision that companies need to succeed in the global market. Dr Jure Leskovec:<\/strong> “The world is global, we need access to research institutions and we need access to markets bigger than Slovenia. The biggest problem is ambition, not so much capital”. Andreja Bucik Primo\u017ei\u010d<\/strong>, CFO, Lek d.d.: “Artificial intelligence will probably first reduce the need for managerial, organisational and administrative staff, next are the physical professions, which will become more automated. It will also replace and change jobs in development”. Dr Ur\u0161ka Starc Peceny<\/strong>, Head of Innovation and Head of Tourism 4.0, ARCTUR, pointed out that “Slovenia is today at a crucial turning point – if we want to catch the wave of change brought by AI, we need to immediately mobilise all domestic knowledge and resources – from public administration, knowledge institutions and business. In parallel, we need to dramatically improve the management of and access to our data and decentralise the country’s cloud infrastructure, making it much more responsive.” <\/p>\n\n

Internationalisation is the key to a competitive and resilient Slovenian economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Today, Slovenia generates 83% of its gross social product from exports, putting us at the very top of the European and global markets. It is more than obvious that internationalisation is a prerequisite for growth, strengthening competitiveness and increasing the added value of Slovenian companies, and not least for long-term economic resilience. <\/p>\n\n

A strategic and coordinated approach <\/strong>to entering foreign markets and attracting new investment is more important than ever. This was echoed by Dr Stjepan Ore\u0161kovi\u0107 <\/strong>, who pointed out that the fastest growing companies are those that have embraced disruptive technologies. <\/p>\n\n

At the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, we are working to ensure that Slovenia remains one of the best exporters in the EU. To achieve this, the Ministry has developed a number of development incentives, which it and its implementing institutions offer to businesses . Jernej Salecl, <\/strong>The Director-General of the Ministry presented the internationalisation measures for development, highlighting the cooperation with the European Space Agency and the forthcoming full membership of Cern, as well as the Eureka and Eurostars calls, which offer opportunities for domestic companies to collaborate with other foreign innovative companies and, as a result, enter global value chains. He pointed out that there are many opportunities for presentations to foreign countries and business deals also in sporting events and that companies should pay more attention to this segment. Tamara Zajec Bala\u017ei\u010d<\/strong>, Acting Director of SPIRIT Slovenia, sees the greatest added value in the participation of companies in economic and business delegations, trade fairs and training within the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) programme. Given the rapid geostrategic changes in the world, it is important to diversify our international cooperation as much as possible, the speakers agreed. Ms Bala\u017ei\u010d added that it was necessary to persevere in the markets we have opened up and to intensify our activities in these new markets, as this would bring domestic companies into contact with a variety of foreign companies. <\/p>\n\n

In the light of this awareness, the Ministry has recently been opening doors for Slovenian companies in new promising markets in Asia and the Middle East – from China, India, South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, we are also strongly strengthening our cooperation with our traditional and strongest economic partners, such as Germany, Italy, Austria, the United States and Switzerland. Switzerland has recently become one of our most important non-trade partners. <\/p>\n\n

At the event, we presented three markets of opportunity. Tea Pirih<\/strong>, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi, Simon Pribac<\/strong>, Economic Assistant at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Canada and Dr \u017diga Vavpoti\u010d<\/strong>, President of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented the business environment in India, Canada and China and the sectors where there is currently a great potential for Slovenian companies.<\/p>\n\n

Du\u0161an Olaj, founder of Duol, and Luka Sin\u010dek, CEO of Juicy Marbles, presented their experiences of breaking into the global market. They agreed that without innovation and thinking outside the box, they would not be where they are today. Du\u0161an Olaj <\/strong>told us, “Smallness has forced us to think globally. We are at the top because we have never walked in the footprints of others.” Luka Sin\u010dek <\/strong>presented how they have dealt with the limitations of the small size of the Slovenian market. “We jumped from Slovenia to the world stage – we are the first meat alternative to conquer Europe and America”, adding that Slovenia is a small country with global appetites. <\/p>\n\n

On the sidelines of the conference, bilateral (business-to-business – B2B) meetings were also organised between economic advisers covering Slovenia’s economic cooperation with 60 countries at the diplomatic-consular missions of the Republic of Slovenia and more than 110 representatives of companies who had previously expressed interest in individual talks. Approximately 200 B2B meetings were held. This gave companies already active on international markets or just starting to internationalise their business the opportunity to have concrete discussions with economic advisors. <\/p>\n\n

A strategic and coordinated ecosystem for the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

At the event, State Secretary Matev\u017e Frange\u017e<\/strong> highlighted Slovenia’s accession as a full member of the European Space Agency. It is expected that this field will become one of the core industries of the future, which Slovenia will now be able to fully exploit for its breakthrough. “We create our advantages, but the world defines our opportunities,” he stressed. <\/p>\n\n

He pointed out that many large companies are looking to make major investments in the near future. The Ministry has shown that it can be a reliable partner. Slovenia is very export-oriented and the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises should be exploited to a greater extent. <\/p>\n\n

But there are challenges ahead, such as the restructuring of the automotive industry, changes in the balance of trade, significantly faster productivity growth in the US and China. “But it is important to remember that disruption is not the exception, it is the rule,” he warned. And only those who can react quickly will be able to come out of this as winners. <\/p>\n\n

Source.<\/p>\n\n

He added that currently, despite high corporate profits and low indebtedness, companies are not investing enough. But this is necessary in times of change. To encourage business, the state is working on a number of modernisations, such as competitive incentives for investment and innovation, capital market development, and state incentives to facilitate risk-taking. <\/p>\n\n

Slovenia – an attractive investment environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Foreign direct investors (FDI) represent an important pillar of the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy and are one of the most important forms of international cooperation. Their presence brings many benefits – from job creation and knowledge and technology transfer, to more efficient use of resources, greater economic stability and higher tax revenues. <\/p>\n\n

We have an outstanding track record in attracting foreign direct investment in recent years, and Slovenia is proving to be a competitive country with the incentives, speed and strategic approach that have led Lek – Sandoz, Renault Group, Palfinger and others to announce their investments.<\/p>\n\n

Many foreign companies already recognise Slovenia as an ideal entry point to the markets of Central and South-Eastern Europe. The speakers of the closing panel discussed the advantages of investing in Slovenia. Uro\u0161 Mlakar, founder of Naturalica Foods <\/strong>pointed out: “<\/strong>Slovenia is a world-class laboratory for global success. If you can convince a Slovenian, you have built something real. If you cut through our bureaucratic complexity – which we can still work on – and the rationality of Slovenian buyers, you are ready for the challenges abroad. So if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere!” Nina Dremelj, Managing Partner at Vesna Fund and President of Business Angels Slovenia <\/strong>she stressed: “<\/strong>Slovenia is a nation of technological know-how, resilience and courage. When innovation, a desire to push boundaries and a strong work ethic come together, they create an environment that can create global success.” However, she warned that the procedures for recruiting foreigners are too lengthy. Dr Bo\u0161tjan Pe\u010dnik<\/strong>, Executive Vice President of Hisense Europe<\/strong>, said that Slovenian and Chinese know-how meets in Slovenia, which is complementary and can be further developed. Marjana Majeri\u010d, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Strategic Development and Internationalisation<\/strong>, stressed the importance of a coordinated and integrated support environment to help companies enter foreign markets. The most important message of the panel was that in order to continue to develop, it is necessary to maintain the top level of knowledge in Slovenia, and to accept the challenges as a business opportunity. <\/p>\n\n

Measuring your carbon footprint<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Slovenian Global Forum is the first sustainability event organised by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport. We will measure the carbon footprint of the event, which will serve as a benchmark for all future events. The results of the carbon footprint will be announced at a later stage. <\/p>\n\n

The Slovenian Global Forum was organised by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and partners SPIRIT Slovenia, the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SID Bank.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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