Business conference of slovene automotive industry and mobility
DIVERSIFICATION OF MARKETS FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Friday, 9th October 2026
Hotel Grand Plaza, Slovenska 60, Ljubljana
At the conference, we will position Slovenia on the global map and examine the key factors influencing corporate competitiveness.
We will focus in greater detail on three major markets—China, USA, and India—and discuss the art of navigating diverse cultures with experts on these regions. We will address the challenges of entering new markets, showcase best practices, and highlight the role of economic diplomacy in unlocking new business opportunities. There will also be ample time for networking and forging new business connections.
Program of the Conference
| 8.30 – 9.15 |
REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS WITH A COFFEE AND CROISSANTS |
| 9.15 – 9.30 |
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Tanja Mohorič, SRIP ACS+
|
| 9.30 – 10.00 |
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPORT FOR COMPETITIVENESS OF SLOVENIA ON A GLOBAL MARKET
Dr. Peter Wostner, Institut for macroeconomic analysis and development
|
| 10.00 – 11.00 |
CHINA ENTERING THE EUROPEAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET
Blaž Štefe, Mia Xin, Euro Sino Automotive Association
AMERICA – STILL OR AGAIN?
Joest Hoekstra, Sales and Business Development Consultant
INDIA AS NEW ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER
His. eksc. Amit Narang, Embassador, Embassy of India in Ljubljana
TURKEY, OVERSIGHTED POTENTIAL?
Her eksc. Hayriye Kumaşcıoğlu, Embassador, Turkish Embassy in Ljubljana
|
| 11.00 – 11.30 |
THE ART OF MANAGING DIVERSE CULTURES |
| 11.30 – 12.15 |
COFFEE WITH REFRESHING AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENRICHMENT |
| 12.15 – 13.30 |
CHALLENGES OF MARKET DIVERSIFICATIONS
Robert Vuga, Unior / Matjaž Čemažar, Domel / Urban Plevnik, Hiproject / Andraž Logar, 3fs / Luka Avbreht, AF Labs / Nejc Šter, Metron /
|
| 12.15 – 12.45 |
IT’S EASIER WITH ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
His eksc. Aleš Balut, Embassador, Embassador, Embassy of Republic of Slovenia in Prague
Rok Tomšič, Ministry for foreign and european affairs
|
| 13.15 – 13.45 |
SHARING A GOOD STORIES
Matej Zalar, HolyShift
|
| 13.45 |
LUNCH AND NETWORKING |
Moderator: Mr. Rok Bohinc
Attendance at the Business Conference is free for ACS members and invited guests; however, prior registration by email at dunja.podlesnik@acs-giz.si is required. Please submit your registration no later than Friday, October 2, 2026.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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Additional information: dunja.podlesnik@acs-giz.si
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The automotive industry in Slovenia generates approximately 10% of the GDP and almost 25% of Slovenian exports (source: SPIRIT Slovenia). All members of SRIP ACS+, including all areas of mobility, contribute more than 17% to Slovenian GDP. Our members generate more than 8 billion euros in annual revenue, most of them operating as tier 1 and 2 suppliers to global vehicle manufacturers. Annually, SRIP ACS+ members receive more than 25% of all awarded innovations of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia originating from the automotive industry.