Slovenian Ambassador urges Telangana businesses to tap into emerging European markets like Slovenia

Starting the event witht the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

The Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI), in collaboration with the Indian Economic Trade Organization, convened the India–Slovenia Business Conference on 17 March 2026 in Hyderabad. The session served as a strategic platform to deepen bilateral economic engagement, with a focus on enabling Indian companies, particularly from Telangana, to explore investment, trade, and expansion opportunities in Slovenia—a key gateway to the European Union.

The conference opened with remarks by Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO, who emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration in facilitating cross-border trade. Mr. Sujit S Nair, Chairman of EICBI, followed with a special address highlighting the need to strengthen India–Europe business corridors and the growing role of Telangana as a hub for globally oriented enterprises.

The speakers (Left to Right) - Mr. Sujit S Nair, Chairman of EICBI; Ms. Tea Pirih, Diplomat representing Slovenia; H.E. Tomaz Mencin, Slovenian Ambassador; Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO.

Delivering the keynote, H.E. Tomaz Mencin outlined Slovenia’s investment landscape, priority sectors, and strategic positioning within Europe. He noted, “Slovenia offers Indian businesses not just a market, but a strategic base into Europe, combining connectivity, competitiveness, and a supportive ecosystem for long-term growth,” underscoring its appeal as an entry point to EU markets.

An economic briefing by Ms. Tea Pirih, Diplomat representing Slovenia, provided practical insights into the country’s regulatory environment, business ecosystem, and institutional support available to foreign investors. Slovenia’s advantages, including its central location, strong logistics infrastructure, access to major European markets, skilled workforce, and competitive operating environment, were highlighted as key enablers for Indian companies seeking to establish a European presence.

Capturing the moment with the speakers

The conference brought together a packed and engaged audience, including business leaders, technologists, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs. A distinguished mix of participants—such as Executive Vice Presidents, Heads of Health Risk Management and Health Solutions, Vice Presidents across sectors, Director-level representatives, an Honorary Trade Commissioner, as well as founders and entrepreneurs, reflected a strong interest in the India–Slovenia engagement. The Q&A session saw active participation, with numerous questions directed to the Slovenian representatives, and many attendees viewing Slovenia as a practical entry point into Europe.

Networking over food and drinks

The momentum continued during the networking session, where participants exchanged contacts, interacted closely with diplomats, and explored potential collaborations. The strong turnout and sustained engagement created a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere, with many attendees continuing discussions beyond the formal proceedings.

Overall, the conference fostered meaningful dialogue and actionable connections, reinforcing growing economic ties between India and Slovenia while advancing opportunities for trade, investment, and strategic collaboration with Europe.