Austria has become a major player in Slovenia's economy, accounting for almost a quarter of the country's foreign direct investments, totaling over 4.5 billion euros. This strong Austrian presence highlights their deep economic connection. Notably, Interenergo, an electricity trader integrated into the Austrian Kelag group, exemplifies Austrian investment's effectiveness in expanding business across markets like Germany and Greece.
Austria's influence extends to logistics through Austrian Cargo Partner's modern center at Brnik airport. In the automotive sector, Austrian involvement has boosted Porsche Slovenia's standing as the second-largest car trader, while A1, an Austrian telecom operator, holds a strong position among Slovenia's top companies. Austrian RH Magnezita's acquisition of Seven Refractories underscores Austrian interest in specialized Slovenian sectors.
While Austria was once Slovenia's fifth-largest export market, recent years have seen a shift. Despite a 39% surge in exports to Austria in 2022, the proportion has dropped from 14% to 7% over two decades, reflecting diversified export destinations.
Geographical and historical ties between Austria and Slovenia play a pivotal role in fostering strong economic relations, with a shared cultural history contributing to collaboration.
Contrastingly, Slovenian investments in Austria are meager compared to their significant investments in former Yugoslav countries, emphasizing differing investment priorities.
Source: https://www.sloveniabusiness.eu/hot-topics/austrian-investments-dominate-slovenian-market
