Slovenia was established in 1991 as a democratic parliamentary republic. At the head of the state, the president is directly elected for a period of five years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office. The position and powers of the president are relatively limited. The current President of Slovenia is the former Prime Minister Borut Pahor, whose mandate will expire in 2022. The Parliament of the Republic of Slovenia is bicameral. The lower house is the National Assembly (Državni zbor, DZ), which has 90 deputies, of whom 88 are elected by a proportional system for a period of four years, and two seats are constitutionally reserved for representatives of autochthonous national minorities (Hungarian and Italian). The upper chamber is the National Council (National Council, State Council – DS), which has 40 members mainly from the ranks of mayors, entrepreneurs and crafts. The powers of the National Council are limited and it has more of an advisory function.

Due to its small domestic market, Slovenia is an export-oriented economy. However, the openness of the Slovenian economy also means a high dependence on global economic trends and events on partner markets. The main market for Slovenian exports are the EU countries, to which almost 70% of Slovenian exports go. Germany remains the most important trading partner for Slovenia in terms of both export and import. In terms of the total volume of mutual trade, the Czech Republic is among the 10 most important trading partners of Slovenia, the economic cooperation between the two countries is extremely good. The V4 countries are the second most important partner in total. The Slovenian market is essentially saturated and highly competitive, economic policy is oriented towards sectors with high added value. For more significant growth in trade exchange, it is necessary to gradually move to higher forms of cooperation (e.g. capital participation in the form of joint-ventures, strategic partnerships). Following the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the mutual trade turnover decreased by 4.4% in 2020, but in 2021 the trend reversed and the total foreign trade turnover between the Czech Republic and Slovenia reached a record EUR 1.73 billion, which is 16.4% more than the previous year. There was a year-on-year increase in both Czech exports (+13.0%) and imports (+21.2%). EUR, which is 16.4% more than the previous year. There was a year-on-year increase in both Czech exports (+13.0%) and imports (+21.2%). EUR, which is 16.4% more than the previous year. There was a year-on-year increase in both Czech exports (+13.0%) and imports (+21.2%).

The pandemic and the restrictive measures taken negatively affected the performance of the Slovenian economy in 2020, which was reflected in a 4.2% decrease in GDP and a deterioration of most macroeconomic indicators. As a result of increased public consumption to compensate for anti-epidemic measures, there was a significant increase in public debt and the state budget deficit. In 2021, there was high GDP growth, mainly thanks to the strengthening of foreign trade exchange (exports 13.2%, imports 17.4%), private consumption (11.6%) and investments in fixed capital (12.3%). The mentioned factors will be a generator of economic growth in the future as well, to which the long-term favorable situation on the labor market will also contribute. However, the economic recovery in 2021 was uneven, the sector of services associated with the convention industry, tourism and air transport will require the longest rehabilitation.

Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)

• Central emergency number ( Emergency Call ): 112 (ambulance service, fire brigade, police, veterinarian, cave and mountain rescuers)
• Police ( Police ) – direct line: 113 , anonymous line: 080 12 00
• Information on telephone numbers: 1188 ( https://www.1188.si/ )
• Automobile Club of Slovenia ( AMZS ): road assistance 1987 or +386 1 530 53 53
• Airport Ljubljana – Brnik ( Aerodrom Ljubljana ): +386 420 619 81
• Ljubljana Main Train Station ( Slovenske železnice ): +386 129 133 32
• Ljubljana Main Bus Station ( Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana ): +386 123 446 00 ; bus timetable information and search for transport connections – 1991 (charged approx. €1.28/min depending on the operator, operates MON – FRI: 7.00 – 20.00, SAT, SUN and holidays: 8.00 – 16.00)
• Tourist Information Center Ljubljana ( TIC Ljubljana ): +386 1 306 12 15, +386 1 306 45 75 ( contacts )

Taxi services

• Taksi Metro – free number 080 11 90 , mobile +386 41 240 200
• Taxi Rondo – mobile +386 70 900 900, 80 900 900
• Taxi Cammeo – +386 (0) 1 777 1212 or using the gsm application

Important web links and contacts

State and public news, institutions, legislation

• Lower Chamber of the Parliament (State Council): http://www.dz-rs.si/wps/portal/en/Home
• Financial Administration: https://www.fu.gov.si/en/
• Upper House of Parliament (State Council): http://www.ds-rs.si/en
• Office of the President of the Republic: https://www.predsednik.si/up-rs/uprs-eng.nsf
• Ministries: https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/ministries/
• Portal for electronic procurement (eJN): https://ejn.gov.si/en/
• Slovenian public administration portal: https://e-uprava.gov.si/en
• Portal of the Slovenian state administration (state institutions, ministries): https://www.gov.si/en/
• Public procurement portal (eNaročanje): https://www.enarocanje.si/
• Legal-information system: http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/
• National Bank of Slovenia: https://www.bsi.si/en
• Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology: https://www.siq.si/
• Slovenian Statistical Office: https://www.stat.si/StatWeb/en
• Slovenian Intellectual Property Office: http://www.uil-sipo.si/sipo/office/tools/home/
• Labor Office: https://english.ess.gov.si/
• Official Gazette: https://www.uradni-list.si/

Companies and the economy (cooperation, establishment of a business, economic trends)

• SPIRIT Slovenia Business and Foreign Investment Agency: https://www.sloveniabusiness.eu/
• Database of Slovenian exporters SLOEXPORT: https://www.sloexport.si/en/
• Chamber of Commerce: https://eng.gzs.si/
• International bid and ask portal: http://www.borza.org/en
• Chamber of Commerce: https://www.tzslo.si/en
• Commercial register (AJPES): https://www.ajpes.si/
• Other business registers: https://www.bizi.si/, https://pirs.si/#/
• Business portal: https://www.podjetniski-portal.si/
• Portal for business (Slovenia Business Point): https://spot.gov.si/en/
• Slovenian Bar Association: http://www.odv-zb.si/en/slovanian-bar-association/
• Slovenian Chamber of Notaries: https://www.notar-z.si/en/
• Data on companies in Slovenia (by name, ID number, VAT number): http://ddv.inetis.com
• UMAR – Office for Macroeconomic Analysis: https://www.umar.gov.si/en/
• Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry: https://www.kgzs.si/
• Intermediation services connected with the establishment of a company: https://data.si/en/
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry: https://www.ozs.si/english

Additional resources

• Association of Slovenian Banks: https://www.zbs-giz.si/en/
• Association of Slovenian Insurance Companies: https://www.zav-zdruzenje.si/en/
• Auto-moto club of Slovenia – roadside assistance, road information, fees: https://www.amzs.si/en
• Stock Exchange: https://ljse.si/en
• Ljubljana Tourist Information Centre: https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/
• Spas and wellness in Slovenia: https://slovenia-spa.si/
• Public transport in Ljubljana: https://www.lpp.si/en
• Official information portal for tourists: https://www.slovenia.info/en
• Port of Koper: https://www.luka-kp.si/en/
• Slovenian Advertising Chamber: https://www.soz.si/
• Bicycle rental system in Ljubljana: https://www.bicikelj.si/en/home
• Telephone directory: https://www.itis.si/
• Tourist farms: https://www.turisticnekmetije.si/en
• Search engines: https://www.google.si/, https://www.najdi.si/

PaulSourcing: Ten Commandments for Doing Business with Slovenia

The PaulSourcing agency has prepared ten recommendations for doing business with Slovenia for Czech entrepreneurs interested in business relations with Slovenia. In 2020, it was supplemented with 4 current tips.

4 recommendations for entering the Slovenian market during the coronavirus pandemic situation:

1. Search for business partners In the first step, search for suitable contacts for potential business partners, preferably through paid local or even global databases. Free databases usually offer only non-updated data and are therefore outdated and incomplete. Relying only on classic Google and keyword searches is also not recommended, because sometimes companies on the web look very serious thanks to good site design, but often they are already defunct companies or small companies without any business share and/or just beginners in the market.In the first step, the foreign office of PaulSourcing Zagreb (ZK Zagreb) can help you with the use of its paid database and not only search for companies according to the subject of activity, but also check their economic indicators, history and describe their profile in more detail. To compile a basic long list, ZK Zagreb needs a description of your product, which you plan to import to Slovenia, and a profile of the desired potential partner. In the case of their public availability, the contact details of the responsible persons of the searched companies are also an integral part of the long list.
2. Selection of suitable business partners The second step is the selection of suitable candidates from the long list. At this stage, ZK Zagreb can support you with knowledge of the local market and the recommendation of partners, but from the industry point of view, a decision must be made on your side. The Slovenian market is small and most entrepreneurs from the same field know each other personally, and therefore it is not recommended to approach all interesting companies en masse at once, but to phase the contacting according to established priorities. ZK Zagreb also draws attention to the current efforts of the public and business associations and institutions to support local production and supply at the expense of imports.
3. Contacting the companies The third step is to contact the selected companies by phone, send the materials by e-mail, and then verify the interest in the product/service by phone again. This step is very difficult given the current situation in the country, as many companies operate only in a limited home office mode and it is often impossible to contact key employees. Even under normal circumstances, Slovenian companies respond rather clumsily to being approached, and it is necessary to repeat the contact through several channels.What ZK Zagreb recommends, on the other hand, is for the Czech company to prepare marketing materials (presentations, references, websites, etc.) in the meantime, preferably in Slovenian, at least in English. English is the usual means of communication with foreign partners in the Slovenian economic and administrative environment. Here ZK Zagreb can, for example, help you with translations into Slovenian and recommend quality translators.It is possible to try to directly address selected companies, but in this extraordinary situation, priority should be given to the preparation of quality marketing material. ZK Zagreb will provide you with recommendations and suggest the most suitable course of action. Trade routes to Slovenia will reopen soon.
4. Finding information You can find more interesting information about trading in the “coronavirus era”, the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the support provided on the website of the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia. Do not hesitate to contact ZK Zagreb with any questions.

Ten points for doing business with Slovenia

1. Consider the application of your product on the Slovenian market Critically assess whether your product will find application on the demanding Slovenian market. Chances are mainly products with high added value at a competitive price.
2. References will open doors for you Slovenians prefer goods from Western Europe, so a reference about your success in Western markets is an advantage.
3. Keep your word and deadlines, do not change the agreed conditions Count on the preference of local companies in tenders. Slovenes show strong patriotism even when doing business.
4. Prepare for demands of high quality and lower prices.Slovenian business partners are consistent in their dealings, they know their limits well and usually also the limits of their business partner, so there is often consistent pressure on the price.
5. Have well-prepared and translated materials Prepare quality promotional materials in Slovenian, or at least in English. Pay attention to the quality of the translation.
6. Deal with potential partners in person Personal meetings and individual communication with potential partners are a matter of course in the Slovenian environment. The working language is usually English. Meetings are usually followed by an informal invitation to lunch or dinner, which is not refused.
7. Be open and honest Be open and honest. You are expected to have a standard European demeanor and to follow normal business practices.
8. Keep your word and deadlines Don’t inflate prices and keep your word and deadlines.
9. Don’t be afraid to check the business partner Check the creditworthiness of the future business partner. Do not rely on the appearance of seriousness and count on worse payment morale.
10. Consult local lawyers for contracts Pay extra attention to the conclusion of contracts. Always consult your local attorneys.