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The winners of the FDI Awards 2024
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA

Four foreign-owned companies were honoured when the Ministry of Economy and SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency presented the annual FDI Slovenia Awards on 10 October 2024.

Henkel Maribor d.o.o., part of the German chemical giant, won in the category for the best large company. The company has been present in Slovenia for thirty years and employs 500 people. In May last year, the company opened a European competence centre for hair dyes worth 10 million euros, its largest investment to date, which the jury felt demonstrated its commitment to the development of the local community.

In the SMS company category, the jury chose Avantpackd.o.o., a manufacturer of biodegradable bags. Production started nine years ago. In 2019, the Italian packaging giant Pool Pack acquired a 30% stake. The company has a value added of 106,000 euros per employee and generated a net profit of  2.4 million euros last year on a turnover of 25 million euros - in the jury's opinion, proof that sustainable solutions create a competitive advantage.

The company selected in this category, which has a major impact on the local economy, was Ekolat d.o.o., a dairy specialising in the production of mozzarella and owned by Sabelli, Italy's second largest mozzarella producer, which exports 97% of its production, mainly to Italy. "This is a company that combines local authenticity with international recognition. Their mozzarella is known for its exceptional quality and strengthens the Slovenian food brand in foreign markets," said the jury.

As part of the Green. Creative. Smart campaign competition, a prize for the best smart company was awarded to Lumentum d.o.o. The company, which is owned by US-based Lumentum Optics Incorporated and was awarded in the smart company segment, specialises in the production of optical fibres used in industrial lasers. With ninety employees and a value added of more than 150,000 euros per employee, the jury considered it to be one of the most technologically advanced companies in the region.

The FDI Awards were presented for the 19th time to recognise the contribution of foreign investors to the Slovenian economy. Only companies that are at least 10% foreign-owned, whose value added per employee is above the Slovenian average and which employed at least ten people in the previous year were eligible to take part.

"Foreign investors bring advanced technologies, new expertise and strategic integration into global markets. Slovenia's goal is not only to attract new investors, but also to forge long-term strategic partnerships," said Rok Capl, director of SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, in his speech at the ceremony.

The State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Matevž Frangež, added that Slovenia is interested in attracting global high-tech companies. "We want to position Slovenia as the next European innovation hub for advanced and sustainable technologies and attract new investments and partners to accelerate Slovenia's transition to an economy based on knowledge and innovation."

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