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Slovenia ranked ninth out of 180 countries on the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index, which is compiled by the Swiss-Korean think-tank Solability. It ranked first amongst all countries studied in terms of economic sustainability.

At today’s second meeting of the Strategic Economic Council, which was held in Lipica, members exchanged views for the first time regarding opportunities for the so-called ‘scale-up’ of innovative development companies, incentives for development jobs, the retention of highly-skilled domestic workers and the faster employment of such talent from abroad, and employee participation in profits.

In Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, where the 17th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is taking place, the multinational nomination of Lipizzan horse breeding traditions has been listed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

How will the unitary patent system simplify and improve the European patent system for the benefit of its users? This was the focus of today's event organised by the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, the European Patent Office and the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for companies and interested professionals. The system is due to enter into force in April next year.

The two-day CM22 session of the ESA Council, which was attended by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Matevž Frangež, has concluded in Paris. He also participated in the OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum entitled Green Innovation and the Impact of Economic Shocks.

Yesterday at COP27, Slovenia presented itself as a green, creative and smart country, active in the field of climate change and oriented towards a green transition, supported by advanced digital technologies. The government of Slovenia demonstrated excellent mutual cooperation of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, MEST, MEDT, MFA with climate and economic diplomacy, Spirit Agency and STO.

Data from the latest European Patent Office survey highlights the gender gap in innovation, with women accounting for only 13.2% of European inventors listed in patent applications. At 17.4%, Slovenia ranks slightly above the European average.

Matjaž Han, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, received the delegation of the Republic of Korea led by the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Park Byeong-Seug. The meeting was intended to enhance economic cooperation between the countries and introduce the candidature of the Republic of Korea to organise World Expo 2030 in Busan.

Today, the National Assembly is deciding on the adoption of the amendments to the Act determining the aid to the economy due to high electricity and natural gas prices. With the Act, the Government is allocating more than double the aid totalling EUR 86 million to the business sector this year, including a higher level of coverage of eligible costs and an extended circle of beneficiaries.

The international regional conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on development cooperation in the European region is taking place in Vienna. Slovenia was invited to participate in the conference as an example of good practice and, as a result, the representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology are presenting the Slovenian model of international development cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tanja Fajon, State Secretary for Economic Development and Technology, Matevž Frangež, and State Secretary for Defence, Rudi Medved, addressed the Business to Diplomacy (B2D) event entitled “Slovenia in Space” in the Noordung Centre. The purpose of the event was to help create new connections and opportunities for cooperation at the national and international level, to present the activities and achievements of the Slovenian space sector to representatives of foreign embassies and the Slovenian economic and defence attachés.

Switzerland has retained its top spot among the world's most innovative countries, a position it has held for almost a decade. Slovenia has dropped one place in this year's ranking to 33rd out of 132 countries.

The EU Competitiveness Council met today in Brussels, attended by State Secretary Matevž Frangež on behalf of Matjaž Han, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology. The meeting took place in the light of the exacerbated energy crisis and the Member States displayed a great degree of unity in all key decisions. The ministers supported the proposal of the new crisis instrument to protect the internal market.

The National Assembly adopted amendments to the Copyright and Related Rights Act and the Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights Act. With the amendments, Slovenia transposes the provisions of two European Directives into the Slovenian legal order.

The Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, and the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Matjaž Han, visited the filming location of the Netflix production “The Union” in Piran, which stars famous actors such as Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg and J. K. Simmons. The Government contributed monetary compensation in the amount of EUR 2.5 million for the implementation of the film project in Slovenia. The implementation of the project in Slovenia will contribute to an estimated 30,000 overnight stays and the planned use of more than EUR 10 million of the film crew’s funds for preparations and filming here. Over 340 Slovenian workers participate in the project.

On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, we publish the message from the Minister for Economic Development and Technology, Matjaž Han.

3 September 2020 would go down in Slovenian history as the day Slovenia joined the list of countries that have their own satellites in the Earth’s orbit. At 03.51 (GMT + 2), the first two Slovenian satellites – Trisat and Nemo HD – flew into space aboard a Vega VV16 rocket from French Guiana.

Following the 30th anniversary celebration of Slovenia’s membership to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and the Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology Matjaž Han signed a Roadmap for Cooperation.

Mag. Dejan Židan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, attended the Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) in Luxembourg where the ministers agreed on a general approach towards the drafted Consumer Credit Directive.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted last week the strategic starting points for the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the economy.