The Spanish Embassy presents Slovenia as a market full of opportunities for the development of commercial and economic activity, as well as a strategic point for entry into other markets in Central and Eastern Europe.
– What are the bilateral relations like between Spain and Slovenia? In what areas does cooperation between the two countries focus?
Bilateral relations between Spain and Slovenia are young and promising with great potential for development in both political and economic and commercial aspects.
Trade between the two countries amounts to approximately $300 million in both directions, with a significant percentage favoring Spain, which last year ranked ninth as Slovenia's global supplier. According to this year's report, Spain now occupies eighth place, having seen considerable growth in the first few months. The trade relationship has the potential to expand further, although it already provides a solid foundation for future development.
In this regard, there are several sectors where Spain has significant potential, with particular attention to the food industry: citrus fruits, preserves, olive oil, and wines. Spanish wine is underrepresented in Slovenia, despite being a major global producer. A few weeks ago, a presentation of wines from La Mancha was a great success, demonstrating their unbeatable value for money. It is hoped that this presentation will contribute to boosting the presence of Spanish wines in the Slovenian market in the future.
– Is the limited trade that exists between both countries mainly due to a lack of knowledge?
Slovenia faces an international recognition problem; there is no clear image of the country in Spain, even though Slovenia already has three companies operating in the country. One of them manufactures car seats, with a plant in Vigo employing fifty workers and a clear intention to expand; another sells glassware; and an electronics company has also set up operations there.
The Slovenian market is not an emerging market but a mature one, comprising two million consumers with a per capita income exceeding sixteen thousand dollars, currently 73% of the EU average, and with significant growth projections. An additional advantage is that Slovenia can be used as a platform for trade relations with Central and Eastern Europe.
Spanish companies must be here responding to their internationalization process; moreover, Slovenia will be a member of the European Union from 2004 onwards, which means that it will be part of a single market, guaranteeing the strengthening of commercial activity, the intensity of which will be transferred in the future to the countries currently candidates for membership, such as Slovenia.
– What is being done by the Embassy or the Commercial Office to strengthen this trade?
There is no resident Commercial Office at the moment, although we have a small commercial unit whose objective is to encourage the presence of Spanish businesses in the country and the Embassy naturally supports the work of businesspeople who express their interest in Slovenia.
– What is your perspective for the unique commercial reality that will emerge in Europe ten years from now?
I hope that Spain will continue to occupy a central place in economic and commercial terms, given its highly successful economic modernization process, which has transformed it in recent years into a major generator of foreign investment. All this potential will be consolidated in the coming years. Therefore, the accession of the new countries to the Union will open up significant trade and investment opportunities, and Spain must be able to capitalize on them. The net effect of the enlargement will be very positive in economic terms, stimulating trade and investment; it is essential to participate in this upcoming market revitalization.
– What could be said to a Spanish businessman to encourage him to set up his company in Slovenia?
I insist on the need to strengthen commercial activity and economic presence in Slovenia and all other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Given this need, Spanish businesses should know that Slovenia is located immediately after Italy, with significant physical proximity and affinity with Spain. It is an organized, serious, and institutionally stable country. They have a minor issue with inflation, which I hope they will continue to control, but they are doing well in terms of public deficit, debt, unemployment—in short, in all aspects of Maastricht's nominal convergence. It is a country with significant human capital; almost everyone speaks English, and business can be conducted with complete ease. Furthermore, it has a promising outlook for economic development in the coming years.
– What relationships does the Embassy have with trade development organizations and with other Ministries besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
The Embassy serves businesses and, of course, the Spanish people in general. It maintains relationships with the Ministry of Economy, the Regional Development Agency, the Chamber of Commerce, and the local business community…
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