The SPIRIT investment promotion agency has assisted businesses with a number of activities this year, paying out €30 million in incentives.

The agency does not only help companies financially, but provides comprehensive support in all phases of their business, including in entering foreign markets, SPIRIT director Rok Capl told an event in Ljubljana on 11 December.

It also helps foreign investors to enter Slovenia, working at local and national levels.

"We actively help companies to win new business, increase sales in foreign markets and build export business skills," said Tamara Zajec Balažič, the agency's deputy director.

This year they have organised more than 60 business delegations, 27 training seminars for companies, attended a total of 13 topical conferences and made 10 group presentations at important trade fairs

In cooperation with other stakeholders, they also organised government and business events on the sidelines of the UEFA EURO 2024 in Munich and the Olympic Games in Paris.

Zajec Balažič invited companies to participate in the International Trade Management programmes next year and in group trade fair appearances, including at Expo 2025 Osaka, Arab Health, LEAP, International Health Day, Hannover Messe and the BioTech conference.

Irena Meterc, head of the entrepreneurship promotion sector, said they offer information, training, counselling, competence building, financial incentives, mentoring and strengthening of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems.

According to Rok Beniger, head of the financial incentives sector, the agency paid out €30 million this year, up from €24.7 million last year, and the total value of applications submitted for payment was €75.4 million, compared to €45.1 million last year.

Beniger pointed out that only 52% of the applications are approved, urging companies to submit complete claims.

Vid Habjan, head of the investment promotion sector, said their job was to promote Slovenian economy abroad, provide information, search for locations, make contacts with institutions, and assist in the realisation of investments and beyond.

"We pay a lot of attention to existing foreign investors or companies with foreign equity, as we want to further encourage them to expand their business in Slovenia," he said.

The support provided by SPIRIT was presented at two round table debates by companies Biosistemika, Lotrič Merosloveje and Rihter, and by Result, Elaphe and C-Astral, which presented their expansion and challenges in foreign markets.