Prime Minister Golob: "Connecting creates the future – and that is the essence of GREMO's mission"

At the conference, representatives of the automotive industry presented the Prime Minister and relevant ministers with the automotive industry's results for the past year, innovations from the GREMO Mission's projects and new business models for diversifying the automotive industry's markets, as well as the challenges they face.

In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasised that the GREMO Mission has made a remarkable leap forward in three years – not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of the culture of cooperation. "Years ago, what we hearing today would have been science fiction. The greatest achievement, however, is that companies which were once competitors are now joining forces. We listened to external challenges and connected internally with the aim of tackling the most difficult challenges together," he said.

He went on to thank all those participating in the project. "Thank you for this positive atmosphere, which I believe also stems from your engineering enthusiasm. This is possible when you have the opportunity to discover new worlds, when you're motivated, and when you are recognised as someone who is doing something meaningful. It is a pleasure to be here with you," were the Prime Minister's words of praise to all those gathered.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of supporting young people and developing creativity, pointing to the findings of international studies which show that young people do not lack factual knowledge, but rather creativity. "According to research, younger generations lack creativity and inventiveness, which is our greatest concern as it is precisely this trait that distinguishes us from machines," he warned, emphasising that this is why the Government has significantly increased investment in science and innovation. "Only knowledge can create added value, new jobs, higher wages and competitiveness," summarised the Prime Minister.

He also highlighted networking as a key tool for promoting creativity. "Creativity is born from interaction. When projects and public funds are aimed at connecting the brightest minds in the industry, this represents a complete shift from all concepts of how public administration should be run in Slovenia and Europe. This is what makes GREMO such a special project," he stressed. He added that the positive experiences of the project could serve as inspiration for more flexible and development-oriented government operations, and advocated a culture of trust that can be developed through collaboration. "Only when everyone works together can trust be built. And that is the foundation," the Prime Minister made clear.

The Prime Minister concluded by speaking about the strategic areas that he believes will shape the future: artificial intelligence, materials, and Slovenia's ambition to become a space superpower, as well as the defence industry. He emphasised that these are areas that will attract young people precisely because they involve advanced technology and its application. Prime Minister Golob also called on those present to consider whether they are willing to undertake a joint project in these areas, following the example of the GREMO mission.

Created by the Slovenian automotive industry in 2021, the GREMO Mission (GREen MObility) is a result of businesses, science and government joining forces, and the basis for a specific strategy and clear direction for the development of the Slovenian automotive industry and mobility until 2030. Its main focus is the transition to electromobility, i.e. the shift from the production of parts and systems for internal combustion engines to the development and production of parts, systems, and technologies for electric and electrified vehicles. The GREMO mission focuses on concrete actions and builds a strategy based on the existing achievements of the Slovenian automotive industry, which is a driving force behind technological progress.

In 2023, the Government and representatives of the automotive industry signed a joint commitment to green and digital transformation, as summarised in the GREMO Mission, thus actively contributing to positive cooperation. The signatories agreed that a partnership between the Government, science and businesses is a must if Slovenia's competitiveness in the global market is to be increased. The automotive industry is thus successful in attaining the objectives of the GREMO Mission and is making a significant contribution to the development of the automotive sector in the country.

Prime Minister Golob had already attended the Slovenian Automotive Industry Innovation Conference GREMO in 2023 and 2024. At the initiative of Prime Minister Golob, a meeting was held in October 2024 with representatives of the Slovenian automotive industry to discuss current trends and challenges facing this key economic sector. The discussions focused on the situation in European markets, which present many uncertainties, and on finding solutions to improve the Slovenian automotive industry's long-term competitiveness and resilience in an increasingly unstable environment.