Opportunities and Challenges in the Chinese Market for Slovenian SMEs

How to do business in the competitive Chinese market and be successful? China’s economy is grappling with a structural slowdown, marked by modest productivity gains and challenges stemming from a debt-reliant, investment-led growth strategy. Structural reforms are needed to reinvigorate the shift to more balanced high-quality growth.

This economic slowdown poses new challenges for Slovenian businesses engaged with or looking to enter the Chinese market. Bilateral trade has grown in recent years and China is currently Slovenia’s top economic partner in Asia. In 2023, Slovenian exports to China amounted to EUR 258 million, while Slovenian imports from China have reached EUR 7,4 billion, according to provisional figures from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia.

SMEs will be at the heart of efforts to rebalance trade exchanges. Given the increasing importance of the Chinese market to Slovenia, it is important to understand the obstacles Slovenian companies face, including policy changes at the local and provincial levels of the Chinese government that may impact them.

Join this free webinar to:

• Get a comprehensive introduction to the Chinese market, its unique aspects and intricacies.
• Gain key insights and tips to consider before entering the Chinese market.
• Hear case studies of European enterprises active in the market.

Keynote speaker

Alessio Petino

Business Advisor, EU SME Centre

Alessio has worked for 8+ years on various EU-funded projects in China, mainly conducting policy and regulatory analysis for European companies looking to enter or already in the Chinese market. Key focus areas: market access regulations and barriers, investment attraction policies, standards & compliance – with particular focus on R&D, tech & innovation.

Alessio joined the EU SME Centre in October 2020. He coordinates reports, guidelines and technical assistance to European SMEs; he also delivers training about different market entry approaches and engagements with China, opportunities and risks, as well as do’s and don’ts.