Discusses the legal requirements/options for joint venture/licensing in this market.
Last Published: 2/19/2019
In addition to establishing their own companies, foreigners may also invest in existing companies.  For private companies and limited-liability companies, investments are allowed with the agreement of the partners and by joining in the partnership agreement.  Takeovers of joint-stock companies are much more frequent and less dependent on the individual partners/shareholders, as the shares are quoted on the Stock Exchange, although this does not apply to shares of closed companies. 

Takeovers may be accomplished through mergers or acquisitions.  Slovenia’s Law on Takeovers and the Companies Act regulate takeovers and establish conditions for the purchase of stocks/shares sold by individual companies and issuers of stocks when specific legal or natural persons acquire or wish to acquire a stake in a company that gives the buyer more than 25 percent of the voting rights.  Takeovers are possible for both public companies with stocks quoted on the market and private companies through direct offers to shareholders.  If the company conducting a takeover acquires a controlling interest in another company, it must inform the issuer of shares, the Securities Market Agency (SMA), and the Stock Exchange within seven days of the date it acquires a majority stake.  Per Official Gazette no. 47/97, issuers who receive such a notice must publish it within ten days in daily newspapers or on the premises of the Stock Exchange. 

Both domestic and foreign legal and natural persons may freely conclude all types of commercial contracts, including agency contracts, distribution contracts, and license contracts.  Slovenian law does not require different administrative procedures for the performance of individual foreign trade transactions or contracts.  Contractual parties in international legal transactions may select the law that will regulate their mutual relationships and the court  or arbitration tribunal of competent jurisdiction that will hear disputes.
 

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