Thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts on Slovenia’s growing economic ties with China. With its unique dynamics, scale and strong focus on innovation, China is a particularly exciting partner for Slovenia. We see great potential for cooperation that builds on the strengths of both sides. Both our countries approach progress in similar ways: through knowledge, innovation and a forward-looking mindset.

This May, Slovenia had the honour of being the Country of Honour at the China–CEEC Expo in Ningbo. For us, this was more than a formal title. It was a chance to highlight the best of Slovenia’s economy, culture and talent at one of the most important platforms for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe. With two pavilions—one focused on business, the other on tourism, investment and culture—we presented a well-rounded picture of what our country can offer. We were proud to receive not one, but two formal recognitions at the Expo: a special award for best overall presentation and another for being an outstanding exhibitor. These acknowledgments reflect not only the quality of our presence, but also the positive feedback from visitors, institutions and business partners.

Fifteen Slovenian companies joined us in Ningbo, representing sectors such as food and beverage, electronics, sports equipment, ICT and advanced manufacturing. The commercial pavilion was among the most visited at the fair and many companies reported that they established new contacts with potential partners on the spot. Their feedback was highly positive—not just about visibility, but about real business potential; for example, NT Electric saw strong interest in their electric propulsion systems for boats. We are grateful to Domel Suzhou too (they produce high-performance and ultra-high efficiency electric motors) for sharing insights from two decades of experience in China, stressing the importance of local partnerships.

There was strong media interest, numerous productive business meetings and clear interest from local stakeholders in continuing the dialogue. We will be hosting a delegation from the City of Ningbo in September, which I see as a strong sign of our shared commitment to deepen cooperation.

China is a complex and competitive market. That’s why we at SPIRIT Slovenia don’t treat events like these as one-off efforts. They are part of a broader strategy to support our companies step by step—from visibility to real partnerships. Ningbo was a success, but the work continues.

Slovenia may be a small country, but we’re strong in areas that matter: advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies, sustainable food production, smart logistics and green mobility, to name a few. In each of these fields, Slovenian companies offer practical, reliable and often highly specialised solutions that are increasingly relevant in global markets.

In the healthcare sector, Slovenian companies stand out for their work in biopharmaceuticals, advanced medical lasers and smart health technologies, which are all areas that align closely with China’s innovation goals. In food and beverage, our natural products, including protected-origin wines, premium honey and functional foods, are a great match for the growing demand for healthy, high-quality products. Our sports and leisure industry, known for precision-crafted equipment and smart performance technology, also attracts strong interest from partners focused on innovation. And in logistics, Slovenia continues to serve as a reliable EU entry point, with the Port of Koper offering fast and sustainable shipping routes—especially through our long-standing partnership with Ningbo Zhoushan Port.

We are also seeing more interest in green technologies, mobility solutions, AI and smart industry. These are areas where both China and Slovenia are actively investing and I believe there’s still significant room to grow.

Looking ahead, SPIRIT Slovenia is preparing two more business delegations to China this year. In September, we plan to participate in the CIFIT fair in Xiamen. Then in November, we will be present again at the CIIE in Shanghai, where strong early interest is already shaping a high-quality national presence. As always, our team will do their best to showcase ambitious Slovenian businesses and introduce visitors to the country’s favourable economic environment and investment opportunities.

I warmly invite all readers of Amazing China to learn more about Slovenia’s business environment and discover the success stories at sloveniabusiness.eu. For the latest updates, please follow us on LinkedIn, and we are of course looking forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming events in Xiamen and Shanghai.