This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 2/19/2019

Overview
Slovenia’s geographical location at the intersection of the 5th and 10th Pan-European corridors makes it one of the major transportation connectors between the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans.  The Port of Koper on the Adriatic Sea is a major cargo transshipment point, while Ljubljana’s Jože Pučnik Airport, located in the center of the country, hosts a number of airway and land cargo logistics and transport companies.  Operated by the German transport company Fraport, Jože Pučnik Airport has expanded its cargo and passenger terminal capacity and plans to develop a new intermodal center, including a railway connection, to improve distribution capacities.  In 2017, 1.7 million passengers and 13.5 million tons of cargo passed through Jože Pučnik Airport.  Two international logistics companies, UPS and DHL, also operate hubs at the airport.  Slovenia’s national carrier Adria Air, now owned by the German company 4K Invest, has yet to fulfill its promises to significantly improve Ljubljana’s connections to other European locations however.  In addition to Jože Pučnik Airport, Maribor Airport mostly handles cargo transportation.

Slovenia has about 2,500 companies in the logistics and distribution sector, with EUR 3.6 billion in turnover and EUR 1.6 billion in export sales.  Leading companies in the sector include:

Sub-Sector Best Prospects
•           Air cargo shipping
•           Ship cargo transport
•           Storing of goods
•           Maritime and inland logistics
•           Services at terminals

Opportunities
Slovenia’s investment promotion agency SPIRIT has promoted the country as a logistics hub for foreign companies interested in entering the EU market.  One of the most important commercial ports in the Northern Adriatic, the Port of Koper features modern and flexible infrastructure and the shortest route for goods between Asia and central Europe.  In addition, nine business facilitation zones located throughout the country offer foreign business partners a chance for public-private partnership projects.  Slovenia’s Country Development Plan includes a thorough upgrade of railway networks in both the 5th and 6th European corridors, construction of a second railway line between the Port of Koper and Divača, and additional highway projects in the next few years, subject to funding.  Slovenia has earmarked EUR 17 billion to improve logistics and transportation facilities through 2030 and has also adopted a transport development strategy, a national traffic development plan, and an alternative fuels strategy.  The government is also encouraging further digitalization in transport and logistics to eliminate red tape and reduce costs.

Web Resources:
 
Ministry of Infrastructure, Langusova 4, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: gp.mzi@gov.si  
 
Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Kotnikova 5, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: gp.mg@gov.si    
 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Dimiceva 13, 1504 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: info@gzs.si  
 
Transport and Communications Association, Dimiceva 9, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: zpz@gzs.si   
U.S. Commercial Service
 
Matjaž Kavčič, Senior Economic Commercial Specialist
Phone: +386 1 200 5644
Fax: +386 1 200 5555
E-mail: DoingBusinessinSlovenia@state.gov  

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.