At the September AmCham Business Breakfast, “Global Investments in High Value-Added Companies: Frangež, Ljoljo, Massey, Mihelj Coustaury on Slovenian Potential,” we debated current investment opportunities and challenges facing Slovenia with outstanding speakers. The speakers agreed that Slovenia, as a small, open economy, can become a leader in the region with the right strategy. They emphasized that talent management, along with niche, innovative, and family businesses, are vital parts of this story. Some international companies have already recognized this potential and established their development centers in Slovenia, confirming our ability to attract high-value-added investments.

The Co-Chairs of the AmCham Investment Committee (Nevenka Črešnar Pergar & Aljoša Krdžić), the speakers (Matevž Frangež, Robert Ljoljo, MBA, MSc., Gabriel Massey, Jasna Mihelj Coustaury), and moderator of the discussion Marko Ketler, LL.M. (LSE), emphasized that Slovenia excels in several areas. For example: share of high-tech exports, value added created in medium and high-tech industries, strong R&D culture, skills, education and talents. Boštjan Čeh from Labena, one of the founding partners of the Biotech Hills initiative, added: “We have realized that Biotech Hills represents a platform that connects all the players, drives change, and puts Slovenia on the map of biotech innovation.”