Slovenian Economy Minister: Hopes to Serve as China's Gateway to Europe | Overseas Investment (AI Translation)
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文｜财新 包志明
By Caixin's Bao Zhiming
【财新网】“我们希望能成为中国企业进入欧洲之门，”斯洛文尼亚经济、旅游和体育部长马特亚日·汉（Matjaž Han）近日接受财新专访时指出，斯洛文尼亚非常欢迎来自中国的投资，特别是汽车业、电力、制药业和化工业等领域。他介绍，斯洛文尼亚位于欧洲中部，地理位置优越，去欧洲各主要城市都非常便捷，还拥有完备的工业基础，公民受教育程度在欧洲属于顶尖水平。
Caixin Online "We hope to become the gateway for Chinese companies entering Europe," said Matjaž Han, Slovenia's Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport, in a recent exclusive interview with Caixin. He emphasized that Slovenia warmly welcomes investments from China, especially in industries such as automotive, electricity, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. He elaborated that Slovenia is centrally located in Europe, offering a strategic geographical advantage with easy access to major European cities. The country also boasts a well-established industrial base and has a highly educated populace, ranking among the top in Europe.
马特亚日·汉称，2022年后，中斯双边贸易的增长和交流有所放缓，这有新冠疫情、地缘政治局势恶化、欧洲和世界其他地区的战争等多种因素。因此斯洛文尼亚政府决定积极帮助本国企业在中国获得新业务和业务联系，比如在11月初举行的上海进博会上，有多达35家斯洛文尼亚企业参展，为历年最大规模。“希望这些措施可以改善双方的经贸数据，此外，我衷心希望更平衡的贸易，这也会对贸易数据产生良好的影响。”
Matej Han stated that after 2022, the growth and exchange of Sino-Slovenian bilateral trade has slowed, influenced by various factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, worsening geopolitical situations, and wars in Europe and other parts of the world. Consequently, the Slovenian government has decided to actively assist its domestic enterprises in acquiring new business and business contacts in China. For instance, during the China International Import Expo held in early November, as many as 35 Slovenian companies participated, marking the largest presence in years. "We hope these measures can improve the economic and trade data between both sides. Additionally, I sincerely hope for more balanced trade, which would also positively impact the trade data."
斯洛文尼亚位于欧洲中南部，西接意大利，北邻奥地利，东邻匈牙利，西南濒亚得里亚海，面积2万平方公里，2023年时人口212.4万，人均GDP2.9万欧元。1991年6月，斯洛文尼亚从前南斯拉夫独立，1992年5月，中国与斯洛文尼亚正式建立外交关系。目前，中斯两国间建有经济联委会和科技合作委员会等机制，签有共建“一带一路”谅解备忘录等多项合作文件。
Slovenia is located in south-central Europe, bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the east, and the Adriatic Sea to the southwest. It spans an area of 20,000 square kilometers and, as of 2023, has a population of 2.124 million with a per capita GDP of €29,000. In June 1991, Slovenia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. Diplomatic relations with China were formally established in May 1992. Currently, the two countries have established mechanisms such as an economic joint committee and a science and technology cooperation committee, and have signed multiple cooperative agreements including a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the "Belt and Road Initiative."
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- Slovenia is positioned as a strategic gateway for Chinese companies entering Europe, emphasizing investment opportunities in industries like automotive, electricity, and pharmaceuticals.
- The nation is enhancing Sino-Slovenian trade relations by actively encouraging Slovenian businesses to engage with China despite past slowdowns due to factors like COVID-19 and geopolitical issues.
- Slovenia is pursuing infrastructure expansions in ports and railways, while emphasizing a green transition and seeking further cooperation with China, particularly in the automotive sector.
Matjaž Han, Slovenia's Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sport, aims to make Slovenia a gateway for Chinese companies entering Europe, inviting investments particularly in automotive, electricity, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals sectors [para. 1]. Central Europe's strategic location and a highly educated population bolster this prospect [para. 1]. However, the previously growing Sino-Slovenian bilateral trade experienced a slowdown post-2022 due to global challenges like COVID-19, geopolitical tensions, and wars [para. 2]. Consequently, Slovenia encourages its companies to seek business connections in China, as evidenced by 35 companies participating in the China International Import Expo [para. 2]. Slovenia, known for its central European location and historical ties with China since 1992, is dedicated to enhancing economic ties and participating in initiatives like the Belt and Road [para. 3].
Matjaž Han has notable political experience, having been appointed Minister of Economy after serving as chairman of the Social Democrats and chairing the Economic Affairs Committee in Slovenia [para. 4]. Mutual investments highlight the fruitful cooperation between China and Slovenia, such as Hisense's acquisition of Gorenje and Krka's collaboration with Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Group in China [para. 5]. Emphasizing sustainability, Slovenia is pivoting towards a green transition, providing industrial and technological upgrade opportunities that could attract Chinese investments [para. 6].
The automotive industry is a key pillar of Slovenia’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and exports while employing about 40,000 people [para. 7]. The industry is at a crucial juncture globally, transitioning towards greener technologies, offering collaborative opportunities [para. 7]. In logistics, the Port of Koper, strategically located at the shortest maritime route from China to Central and Eastern Europe, is a significant hub [para. 8]. China COSCO Shipping Corporation's established routes to Koper Port mark notable cooperation, despite current limitations of the single-track railway line connecting it to the domestic rail hub Divača, which the Slovenian government plans to expand by 2026 to meet freight demands [para. 9]. In aviation, with Adria Airways having shut down, Slovenia is in pursuit of investors to establish a new national airline [para. 10].
In anticipation of China’s 2024 unilateral visa exemption for Slovenians, Slovenia aims to boost tourism, capitalizing on its natural beauty, culture, and safety [para. 11]. Balancing China-EU trade, Han emphasizes that a consensus on trade would bolster EU competitiveness against China [para. 12]. Recently, the European Commission imposed a five-year anti-subsidy tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, which Slovenia opposed, advocating for cooperation over tariffs [para. 13]. Slovenian opposition stems from a belief that tariffs do not address core issues, and that cooperation is key [para. 14].
The European automobile industry is under pressure, with China's auto production far outpacing Europe’s, highlighting an urgent need for technological cooperation [para. 15]. Han acknowledges the trade imbalance between China and Slovenia, and more broadly with the EU, as a critical concern, advocating for measures to foster balanced trade [para. 16]. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $6.7 billion, with China exporting significantly more to Slovenia than importing, resulting in a trade deficit [para. 16]. Despite a slight decline in trade volume from 2023, there has been a modest growth in Slovenian exports to China in 2024, indicating potential areas for trade enhancement [para. 17].
- Hisense
- In 2018, Chinese home appliance giant Hisense acquired Gorenje, Slovenia's largest appliance manufacturer, to enter the European high-end appliance market. This acquisition is an example of successful investment cooperation between Chinese and Slovenian companies.
- Gorenje
- Gorenje is Slovenia's largest home appliance manufacturer. In 2018, it was acquired by the Chinese home appliance giant Hisense, allowing Hisense to enter the European high-end home appliance market.
- Krka
- Krka is a well-known Slovenian pharmaceutical company that entered the Chinese market early, establishing a representative office in Shanghai in 2006. In 2017, Krka partnered with the Chinese pharmaceutical company Ningbo Menovo to form a joint venture, Ningbo Krka Menovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Group
- Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Group is a Chinese pharmaceutical company that partnered with Slovenia's Krka Group in 2017 to establish a joint venture, Ningbo Menokem Menovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. This collaboration was part of Krka's efforts to expand its presence in the Chinese market, following the establishment of its representative office in Shanghai in 2006.
- Ningbo Krka Menovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
- Ningbo Krka Menovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a joint venture established in 2017 between Slovenia's prominent pharmaceutical company Krka Group and China's Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Group. This collaboration marked Krka's significant presence in the Chinese market, where it had set up a representative office in Shanghai as early as 2006.
- COSCO Shipping Group
- COSCO Shipping Group has established multiple shipping lines connecting China to the Port of Koper in Slovenia. The Port of Koper is a crucial maritime route for cargo from China and the Far East to Central and Eastern Europe, serving countries like Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia.
- June 1991：
- Slovenia declared independence from the former Yugoslavia
- May 1992：
- Diplomatic relations with China were formally established
- 2006：
- Slovenia's Krka Group established a representative office in Shanghai
- 2013：
- Matjaž Han became chairman of the Social Democrats in Slovenia
- 2017：
- Krka partnered with China's Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Group
- 2018：
- Hisense acquired Slovenia's Gorenje
- June 2022：
- Matjaž Han was appointed as Minister for Economic Development and Technology
- January 24, 2023：
- Matjaž Han was sworn in as Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sport
- 2023：
- Slovenia's Port of Koper had a cargo throughput of 22.3 million tons
- August 2024：
- A statement was released by Slovenia's Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport about pressures in the European automobile industry
- September 2024：
- China to implement a unilateral visa exemption policy for Slovenia
- October 29, 2024：
- The European Commission released the final ruling on its anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles
- Early November 2024：
- 35 Slovenian companies participated in the China International Import Expo
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