Small countries, open economies, common values: Slovenia-Luxembourg Business Forum

On Tuesday afternoon, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce hosted the Slovenia-Luxembourg Business Forum, on the occasion of the Official Visit of Slovenia’s Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob to Luxembourg.

Prime Minister Golob, accompanied by a business delegation in the sectors Wood, Space and Tourism, was visiting the Grand Duchy on Tuesday 12th of September 2023.

The Slovenia-Luxembourg Business Forum, organised jointly by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Brussels, kicked off with speeches by Carlo Thelen, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, and Dr. Robert Golob, Slovenia’s Prime Minister. 

In the run-up to the Business Forum, the Chamber of Commerce hosted three sector specific seminars for Slovenian and Luxembourgish companies from the Wood, Space and Tourism sector. The seminars included sector specific insights into both countries and ended with a B2B to explore potential business opportunities.

In his welcome address, Carlo Thelen welcomed the Slovenian delegation and recalled that Luxembourg and Slovenia share many common interests and values. He expressed his confidence that both countries were committed to continuing to promote bilateral economic ties. Mr. Thelen recalled that both nations are small countries – which means they are very exposed economically to international competition. Therefore, Luxembourg and Slovenia, are very open and dynamic economies, valuing the strength and advantages of an EU single market. Mr. Thelen emphasized that in times of global instability and uncertainty, reaching out to fellow EU members makes even more sense.

He concluded his speech by expressing his belief that the Slovenia-Luxembourg Business Forum would further facilitate dialogue and cooperation on fruitful projects between the two countries, by naming two concrete actions which arose from the Business Forum: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the Space sector, and the newly established direct flight between Luxembourg and Ljubljana by Luxair.

In his opening remarks, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Dr Golob focused on the fact that both countries are united not only in size but in friendship and emphasized that this visit represented a new stage in the deepening of bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Slovenia.

The official speeches were followed by the signing of the above-mentioned MoU between Luxembourg and Slovenia, namely the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This Memorandum of Understanding will provide the framework for the development and implementation of a mutually beneficial cooperation between Slovenia and Luxembourg in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

After the signing ceremony, the Slovenian Tourist Board highlighted the opportunities for growth in Slovenia, and Thomas Fischer, CCO of Luxair presented the newly established direct flight between the capitals of both countries which will start on the 14^th of September 2023.

The forum then concluded with a Networking Reception between Luxembourgish and Slovenian participants, providing ample opportunities for discussion and networking.