Strategic Framework to Promote Internationalisation

The process of internationalisation is understood as the promotion of foreign trade, which includes exports and imports, the integration of companies into global value chains, the attraction of foreign direct investment and thus the transfer of knowledge and technology.

Partnering with Slovenia

Slovenia offers a supportive environment for emerging businesses looking to thrive internationally through its technically-savvy workforce and pro-business infrastructure. 

The Slovenian economy is green, creative and smart, which is evidenced by its focus on the green economy and sustainable development to become an advanced, low-carbon society that actively responds to global challenges and co-create new trends. Slovenia will continue with its creative and smart vision towards the faster development of a digital society based on science and information technologies. The country's central geostrategic position at the heart of Europe with direct access to the Adriatic Sea and modern infrastructure are important elements of its competitiveness. But its most important advantage lies in its people who are highly motivated, educated and experienced with a good knowledge of languages and have strong regional connections. 

Slovenian government and public institutional bodies provide many free-of-charge services to existing and potential Slovenian partners, investors, suppliers and exporters, helping them to enhance their cross-border operations, increasing the geographical diversification of Slovenian exports and creating better conditions for Slovenian companies on foreign markets. SPOT Global run by SPIRIT Slovenia works as one-stop-shop for every information you may need.  

The Importance of Exports for Slovenia

The Slovenian economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade. In 2022, Slovenian imports totalled 91.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), while exports, at 94.1% of GDP, exceeded the EU average.  In 2022, trade growth was recorded. In 2022, Slovenia exported 53.6 billion euros worth of goods and services, up 7.2% year-on-year, while imports amounted to 52.4 billion euros, 9% more than in the same period last year. (Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia)

Slovenia mainly produces and exports motor vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, medical and pharmaceutical products. The share of high-tech products has been fairly stable over the last years, higher than the EU average. Compared to the EU, Slovenia stands out for its high share of medium-technologically demanding products, which are highly integrated into global value chains and thus most sensitive to fluctuations in foreign demand.

The geographical diversification of exports is still relatively low, with 76% of total exports of goods and services generated in the EU markets. The main export markets for Slovenian companies are the EU Member States close to Slovenia, such as Germany, Italy, Austria, Croatia, France and others. (Source: Bank of Slovenia)

It is therefore important to further diversify exports and encourage more firms to export, especially SMEs. That is why we also support these companies on their internationalisation journey with EU funding.

Measures to promote internationalisation

Internationalisation measures are designed to boost Slovenian companies in all phases of their export-oriented development, ranging from the preparatory phase, market entry, export operations to consolidate their position on a foreign market and diversify into new foreign markets. In this context, it is important to emphasise the importance of maintaining a presence in traditional markets as well as seeking opportunities in new foreign markets in order to increase the diversification of exports.

Key measures relate to:

• promoting the competitiveness and resilience of Slovenian exports,
• attracting, supporting and retaining foreign investors in Slovenia, 
• supporting Slovenian companies investing abroad,
• improving the international visibility of the Slovenian economy,
• improving the functioning of the internationalisation support ecosystem itself.

In addition to traditional measures such as co-financing market research and activities related to trade fairs and business events to encourage companies to enter foreign markets, support is also targeted at new forms of encouraging the internationalisation of companies, i.e. the digitalisation of companies, e-content as part of business operations, new business models,  partnerships with the aim of jointly entering a selected foreign markets and similar.

The majority of  the measures are implemented through the public agency Spirit Slovenia and the Slovenian Enterprise Fund. Additional export financing measures are implemented by SID Bank, while the Centre for International Cooperation and Development implements part of the Republic of Slovenia's bilateral international development cooperation.

In addition, support is focused also towards suppliers, which includes tailor made information about Slovenian suppliers, database of Slovenian exporters Sloexport, distribution of your inquiry among Slovenian exporters, organisation of fact-finding missions, links with industry and local authorities, and advice on practical matters. More detailed information for Slovenian potential suppliers, business environment, industries and other business-specific information can be found on the portal Slovenia Business. 

Implementing Internationalisation Measures

The majority of the measures are implemented through the public agency Spirit Slovenia and the Slovenian Enterprise Fund. Additional export financing measures are implemented by SID Bank, while the Centre for International Cooperation and Development implements part of the Republic of Slovenia's bilateral international development cooperation.

In addition, support is focused also towards suppliers, which includes tailor made information about Slovenian suppliers, database of Slovenian exporters Sloexport, distribution of your inquiry among Slovenian exporters, organisation of fact-finding missions, links with industry and local authorities, and advice on practical matters. More detailed information for Slovenian potential suppliers, business environment, industries and other business-specific information can be found on the portal Slovenia Business. 

Statistics on Exports and Imports

Detailed information on exports and imports is available on Eurostat (for trade in goods) and the website of the Bank of Slovenia (for services).