Business,

“Akrapovič a leading manufacturer of premium exhaust systems for motorcycles and performance cars is located in Slovenia. At the Akrapovič company, we believe that by remaining in Slovenia we have access to highly skilled workforce which is the key to one of our main competitive advantages: attention to details and quality workmanship. In the past few years we have seen improvements in the business climate and better cooperation between the government and the business world. However, we believe there is still much room for improvement regarding taxes, especially for above average salaries and investments in creating better road connections in regions more distant from motorway network.”

Igor Akrapovič, Owner of Akrapovič

"Slovenia is much kinder towards foreign investors than its own. For foreign investors we do practically everything, we change the laws, subsidize the construction and reduce the necessary procedures to a minimum. Slovenian investors have different experiences. Let’s take a look at the example of Mr Joc Pečečnik, who has been struggling for more than a decade to get the permission for renovation of Plečnik’s stadium in Ljubljana. If he was a foreigner, the legislation would change in a few weeks because of a project like this, maybe even a new law would be passed only for that and he would obtain the license within months.

In general, obtaining licenses in Slovenia takes unreasonably longer compared to the rest of the world, administrative procedures are uncertain, objections are common and construction of new buildings is possible only on a very small percent of Slovenian territory. All those reasons contributed to our decision to build a factory in Italy. The next one will be in China."

Ivo Boscarol, Founder and CEO of Pipistrel

“As a foreign investor we had a highly professional and supportive cooperation with the government. Slovenia was our first choice due to its well-skilled and educated workforce, great infrastructure and close proximity to our Graz plant. Nevertheless, as an investor we have to rely on a clear and stable legislation that guarantees planning reliability in the long term. Slovenia has all potential to succeed as an attractive destination for foreign investment but minimization of administrative obstacles will play a big role in this endeavor.”

Günther Apfalter, President Magna Europe and Magna Steyr

“As investor, unfortunately I do not have the best experience, as the curse of unorganized investment environment – despite of the fact that I was born here – is accompanying me for more than a decade. Our government does not care for Slovenian investors. Since we work hard, pay our taxes and are in most cases very successful, we are not a problematic factor and therefore unnoticed. Our money is used as donations to foreign investors which in Slovenia seem to be worth more and respected more. Slovenian management business has due to mistakes that happened during transition period become half criminalized, even though entrepreneurs that have started their businesses in garages have nothing to do with the transition and the past. Despite of the fact that I employ over 300 people here in Slovenia, pay all my taxes locally, am exporting 99% of my production with value of almost $100MM per year and want to make the investment of $225MM with my own money that would employ 850 people nobody really cares. Probably because I am not a foreigner.”

Joc Pečečnik, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Interblock Group

"In October 2016, YASKAWA decided to build a factory for robot production in Slovenia. The process started in January 2017 with a trilateral meeting between the Slovenian government, headed by Prime Minister Cerar, the Mayor of Kocevje, Dr Prebilic and YASKAWA. All parties quickly agreed on the conditions of the project and nine months later we officially laid the foundation stone of the plant.

At all times, we have had a very positive experience, all applications were processed and permits received in record time. Literally, true and successful team work."

Manfred Stern, President & CEO, Yaskawa Europe GmbH

