Slovenia’s cutting edge for foreign investors is its position at the intersection of traditional trade routes, its modern physical and ITC infrastructure, and its value chains, networks and clusters, and centres of excellence built on its ability to evolve. After the global economic crisis did not spare Slovenia, its economic growth is back as an outcome of the innovation trajectory.

Slovenia’s undisputable qualities instil confidence as the global crisis continues: transparency in the adoption of new legislation, public debate on changes, appeal procedures, public procurement procedures and non-discriminatory practice pose no obstacles to trade. These virtues have been attracting discerning foreign investors to Slovenia since late 1970s. The fact that Slovenia meets the OECD’s high criteria should reassure investors amid mixed signals sent daily by stock and commodity markets. 

Strong international commercial contacts and the transport multi-modal land-sea-air transport system are ideal for investors that wish to set up operations at the heart of the market with 500 million consumers. There is little need for compliance training or for taking measures to translate foreign corporate culture for the Slovenian territory, proverbial integrity in business dealings goes hand-in-hand with a corporate culture of transparency and accountability, and blending experienced foreign managers with local staff has worked well for almost 40 years since the first big international companies set up operations in Slovenia. Investor confidence was high back then even before the changes to the country’s legislative and regulatory systems implemented over the past years to improve its business and investment environment. The most recent legal and institutional reforms were initiated in the wake of the global crisis. Business start-up is now made easy through single-access points to register a limited liability company, obtaining a construction permit and other administrative procedures have been simplified. As investors and entrepreneurs look to get a foothold in Slovenia, improved credit information, creditor rights and collateral infrastructure as the main obstacles to corporate lending and project financing can be heart lifting when it comes to winning investment.

Foreign investors can serve the Western Balkans at reasonable business costs thanks to Slovenia’s well-educated and internationally savvy workforce.

They are already here: Aviat Networks, Belimed, Bosch Siemens, Danfoss, Deloitte, Geberit, Goodyear, GKN Industries, Grammer, Grieshaber Logistik, Gruppo Bonazzi, Henkel, IBM, Intesa Sanpaolo, Johnson Controls, Microsoft, Mobilkom, Novartis Pharma, Palfinger, Reiffeisen Bank, Renault, S&T, Odelo, Société Générale, Unicredit Bank, Wolford, Yaskawa…