During the discussion, Minister Han highlighted the importance of the space sector. "This is a sector of the future that will bring many new opportunities for companies. Last year Slovenia increased its funding for space technology, as we are aware that all investments are recovered by society and the economy many times over." He confirmed that the Ministry will continue to support the development of the sector and expressed his conviction that today's event will also confirm the good economic cooperation between Slovenia and Italy, and further expand the areas of cooperation.

At the second Slovenian-Italian business forum focusing on the space sector, both Slovenian and Italian companies presented their activities. The forum participants were welcomed by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MGRT) Matevž Frangež, and the Ambassador of Italy H.E. Carlo Campanile. The President of the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana - ASI), Giorgio Saccoccia, and the Head of the Slovenian Delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA), Tanja Permozer, presented the work of ASI and Slovenia so far.

State Secretary Frangež pointed out that there were opportunities for cooperation with Italian companies and development institutions, particularly in the fields of Earth observation, general technologies, satellite technologies, artificial intelligence, miniaturisation, and earth stations. "Slovenian companies working in the space sector are becoming a major player on a global scale, and we are extremely proud of this."

The event showcased some Slovenian companies active in space, such as SkyLabs, which launched its second satellite in 2022, this time into medium Earth orbit, and Space SI, whose NEMO HD satellite is the first European satellite with video in space, and which demonstrates remarkable agility and precision in its imagery. Other companies present included manufacturers of miniature cooling systems, high-speed data devices, high-tech mobile structures, advanced communication systems, robotic structures, magnets, as well as companies with capabilities in big data processing and 3D printing of innovative materials. The Italian side presented – alongside others – two major system integrators in the space sector: OHB-Italia and Thales Alenia Space Italia.

The business forum also included bilateral meetings of individual companies and institutions, aimed at building on existing cooperation or establishing new forms of cooperation. As part of the event, the Italian delegation also visited two Slovenian companies, Dewesoft and Cosylab, which are successfully involved in the field of space technologies, each in its own niche area, Dewesoft through its precision and high-speed measurement equipment and Cosylab with software in the field of control systems for the high-tech industry.

In 2021, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology signed a Letter of Intent with ASI for cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space. Italy is one of Europe’s most important spacefaring nations, and is one of the key countries with which we want to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the space sector.