The Obalno-Kraška Region (the coastal part and the Karst) borders on Italy and Croatia, as well as the Adriatic Sea. The fact that the region borders on Friuli-Venezia Giulia, one of Italy’s most-developed regions, makes this westernmost part of Slovenia an attractive place. The Adriatic Sea breeze and just over 40 kms of the coastline give the region an edge much envied by land-locked neighbours. The cargo port of Koper gives the region huge development possibilities in all fields with transport, distribution and logistics as the most promising activities. Koper is linked to Ljubljana both by rail and the motorway.

Population

The region has over 110,000 inhabitants. The region is multicultural and the Italian minority has a strong presence. It is among the most successful Slovenian regions in economic and social terms.

Education structure of population aged 15 - 64 in the Obalno-kraška Region

: Source: Statistical Yearbook, 2011

Towns

The regional administrative, commercial, cultural and educational centre is Koper (49,000 inhabitants). Most members of the new University of Primorska with almost 5,500 students including 1,700 students of College of Management and 1,500 students of Turistica - College of Tourism are located in Koper and in the vicinity.

Other principal towns include Piran (17,500), Izola (15,000) and Sežana (12,000).

Economy

Natural features enable the development of tourism, transport and special agricultural crops. Three quarters of gross value added are created by services. In 2009, trade, accommodation and transport activities contributed the highest share – more than a third – of gross value added in the region; most of it was created by activities in the Port of Koper and the seaside and spa tourism. The Obalno-kraška region recorded almost a quarter of all tourist overnights in the country in 2010.

The most important branches of the local economy include:

tourism
trade
manufacturing & processing industry (agri-food, automotive and furniture)
transport
business services

Companies

The most important companies operating in the region include:

Luka Koper d.d. (cargo handling)
Hoteli Bernardin d.d. (hotels and similar accommodation)
Istrabenz turizem d.d. (hotels and similar accommodation)
Kraški zidar d.d. (construction of residential and non-residential buildings)
Intereuropa d.d. (global logistic services)
Cimos d.d. (manufacture of parts & accessories for motor vehicles & their engines)
CPK d.d. (maintenance of roads and motorways)
Casino Portorož d.d. (activities of casinos)
Lama okovja d.d. (manufacture of locks and hinges)
Intereuropa transport d.o.o. (freight transport by road)

Contact:

Regional Development Centre Koper

Regional Development Agency South Primorska

Župančičeva 18

SI-6000 Koper

Phone: +386 5 66 37 580

Faks: +386 5 66 37 581

E-mail: info[@]rrc-kp.si