RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Slovenia are looking to enhance their trade and economic relations following a meeting between Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, and Slovenia’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Emilija Stojmenova Duh, during the World Economic Forum summit in Tianjin, China.
The ministers engaged in discussions on potential areas of cooperation between the two countries and explored ways to address common interests, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia and Slovenia already maintain robust trade ties, with Slovenia’s exports to the Kingdom experiencing an annual growth rate of 7.9 percent. From $18.4 million in 1995, exports from Slovenia to Saudi Arabia reached $133 million in 2021, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity trade platform.
Saudi Arabia’s Exports to Slovenia
In 2021, Saudi Arabia exported goods worth $352 million to Slovenia, including refined petroleum valued at $320 million, ethylene polymers worth $9.26 million, and propylene polymers worth $3.36 million. Imports from Slovenia to Saudi Arabia included sawn wood valued at $24.3 million and packaged medicaments worth $18.2 million.
The diplomatic relations between the two nations have also grown over the years. On June 25, King Salman extended congratulations to Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar on the occasion of her country’s Statehood Day.
In November 2022, a delegation consisting of 50 members from Slovenia visited Saudi Arabia to explore potential investment opportunities in the Kingdom. The delegation included representatives from various sectors who engaged with business leaders in Saudi Arabia at the headquarters of the Federation of Saudi Chambers.
