Engineering is one of the priority industries actively supported by the Ministry in the process of internationalisation

Director General Japelj presented the activities of economic diplomacy and the support it provides to Slovenian companies in entering and doing business in foreign markets. He also underlined the excellent cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He paid particular attention to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the European Union's key financial instrument for supporting infrastructure projects in the region. He outlined the opportunities that the WBIF offers Slovenian companies in the fields of transport, energy, environmental infrastructure and digitalisation, explaining that there is still a lot of untapped potential for Slovenian companies in this area. He is aware that companies also face obstacles in EU calls for tenders to participate in projects abroad, such as lack of sufficient capacity, complexity of procedures, lack of information, etc. He invited companies to share their experience and suggestions on how the country could help strengthen their competitiveness and assured that the Ministry will continue to provide information and improve coordination through the diplomatic network and in cooperation with other institutions. In conclusion, he said that the WBIF is an opportunity not only for the economic growth of the Western Balkans region, but also for the positioning of Slovenian know-how, experience and quality solutions in markets that are culturally and geographically close to us.

At the event, the strong commitment to close cooperation between the Ministry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and engineering companies was reaffirmed. Their shared goal is to promote Slovenian engineering excellence, grounded in quality, sustainability and social responsibility, and to strengthen its role in shaping the future of the green economy.

The expert panel at Engineering Day focused on the key role of engineering in the green transition. The event brought together representatives of engineering companies, experts and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable solutions in energy, infrastructure, mobility and construction. Participants stressed the need for deeper cooperation, training of competent staff and a stable investment environment for a successful transition to a carbon-neutral society.