The ancestors of the Austro-Hungarian empire are the largest investors in Slovenia and one of the nation’s most important markets.
Central Europe stands out as Slovenia's key business partner, when considering groups of countries. This has been the case for centuries, with a brief exception period during the 20th century when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. For almost a thousand years, Slovenia was part of the Hapsburg Empire. Trade with the successor countries of the old Austro-Hungarian state accounts for over 16% of Slovenian foreign trade, significantly more than the below 10% generated by trade with the Western Balkans.
Central European countries are also major investors in Slovenia, accounting for 34.6% of total foreign direct investments. Austria is the largest investor, with a presence in almost all sectors of industry and services. Croatia is particularly active in food production and retail. Hungary plays a significant role in Slovenian banking and fuel trade. A young Slovak company is one of the most active property developers in the country. Czech investors are present in the beverage industry and logistics.
While CEE investors play a significant role in the Slovenian economy, the reverse is not entirely true. Except for Croatia, Central European economies remain relatively unexplored by Slovenian investors. Their presence in Austria, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia is minimal, accounting for only 2.8% of total Slovenian investments abroad.
