With as much as 17% of international trade in goods and 15% of international trade in services conducted with Germany in 2020, the country remains Slovenia’s most important foreign trade partner. Particularly important is our automotive industry, which accounts for 25% of all Slovenian exports and is highly integrated in the German supply chain. In the future, this industry is forecast to see rapid digitalisation, development of green propulsion and implementation of advanced services, which will lead to innovation and challenges. In this regard, the officials called for closer cooperation and exchange of knowledge between Slovenian and German companies.

They agreed that the COVID-19 epidemic in the last two years greatly influenced the volume of bilateral trade. Although companies reacted relatively quickly and economic activity has not declined as much as originally expected, all weaknesses of the existing economic model were exposed. This acknowledged the warnings that the European economies must reduce dependency on more distant markets and suppliers.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan thanked Gertrud Rantzen for her exceptional contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries and wished her all the best on her further professional and personal path.