9th Economic Diplomacy Day at 52nd MOS Trade Fair in Celje

13. 9. 2019

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Today the 52nd MOS Trade Fair in Celje hosted the 9th Economic Diplomacy Day. The event was attended by ambassadors and economic advisers from countries accredited to Slovenia, and by representatives of Slovenian companies. The participants were addressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar, MOS Board Member Nina Ermenc Pangerl and Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek. This year the MOS partner country is Montenegro.

Dr Miro Cerar at 52nd MOS Trade Fair in Celje

“A number of Slovenian and foreign companies see the fair as an important occasion to establish their position in the market; at the same time, it provides partner countries with an opportunity for wide-reaching promotion of their business potential,” said Minister Cerar in his address. “I am pleased that this year Montenegro was chosen for this role and given the opportunity to bring a strong business delegation to Celje,” he added. Minister Cerar also noted with satisfaction that this business event, held in cooperation between the MOS Trade Fair and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presents a platform for in-depth discussion on selected aspects of internationalising the Slovenian economy and on economic diplomacy. Above all, it makes possible direct communication between its actors and representatives of the business world.

As the international community is facing numerous challenges, Minister Cerar emphasised the efforts for coordinated support of state institutions in the internationalisation of Slovenian companies. He mentioned the importance of the EU in the Slovenian economy because 80% of Slovenia’s foreign trade is conducted with fellow member states. He advocated the expansion of Slovenian exports and the conclusion of free trade agreements between the EU and third countries because of their untapped potential.

One of the aims of Economic Diplomacy Day is to inform Slovenian companies and members of the diplomatic corps in Slovenia about the activities and projects of Slovenian economic diplomacy in the coming year.

Representatives of the institutions working together with the Directorate for Economic Diplomacy were also present at the event.

Ante Milevoj, the director of the International Relations Department at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, presented the macroeconomic environment in Slovenia and the global trends that the Slovenian economy is part of. The role of the SPIRIT public agency in the internationalisation of Slovenian enterprises was presented by Ajda Cuderman, director of SPIRIT Slovenia, and Maja Tomanič Vidovič, director of the Slovene Enterprise Fund, discussed the financial instruments available from the Slovene Enterprise Fund for the activities of Slovenian companies abroad.

Next year’s MOS partner country will be Hungary.