Car industry event hears about opportunities to step up cooperation with China

Slovenia's industry plays a major role globally, Han said. "The global automotive industry is at a historic turning point due to the transition to a zero-carbon society. I believe that we can navigate it relatively safely. But of course, the challenges come with great business opportunities."

Slovenia can be as confident as China since it has the know-how, experience and quality production, the minister believes. However, in order to achieve appropriate levels of competitiveness there will have to be steps forward at EU level, he added.

Han pointed to Slovenia's recent vote against the imposition of additional tariffs on imports of China-made electric vehicles.

"We did not do that for China but for Slovenia. After consultations with industry stakeholders and our biggest partners we did resolutely what I believe is the only right thing to do at the moment."

The main event of the Days of Car Industry Suppliers, which take place in Ljubljana until Thursday, also featured Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Wang Shunqing.

He agreed with Han that Slovenian-Chinese relations are good, which is a starting point for efforts to increase economic cooperation.

Hopeful that Slovenia and China will strengthen car industry cooperation, the ambassador said he appreciated Slovenia's decision to vote against additional tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles.

He is also happy that the European Commission has expressed willingness to negotiate this issue further. He hopes that Slovenia, as an EU member, will continue to play a constructive role in helping the EU to ensure the development of cooperation with China is stable and healthy.

Slovenia is renowned in the automotive world for its outstanding innovation potential and the high quality and reliability of its products, which makes it one of the leading destinations for the development of advanced car technologies, said Rok Capl, director of the investment promotion agency Spirit Slovenija.

Stressing the role the agency plays in international networking efforts, he said: "Since China represents an important opportunity for Slovenian high-tech companies, this year the agency is particularly stepping up activities on this market.

"In September we successfully promoted Slovenia at the Chinese investment fair CIFIT in Xiamen, and in November we're organising a joint appearance of Slovenian companies at the biggest Chinese trade fair China International Import Expo and a delegation at the ministerial level during the trade fair."

The reliability of the Slovenian car industry was also stressed by Tanja Mohorič from the ACS Automotive Cluster of Slovenia. "We keep demonstrating that we are resilient and can adapt quickly," she said.

The joint presentation of Slovenian companies will be followed by bilateral talks in the afternoon. Representatives of Chinese car manufacturers Nio, Jiangling Motors, Tam Motors and ATTC will also visit some of the Slovenian companies in the upcoming days.

Today's event was organised by Spirit Slovenija, the Economy Ministry, the ACS association, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.