In BTC City Ljubljana, the Slovenian Digital Center – Technology for the people, a juncture of Slovenian progress and economic advancement, officially opened its doors. By the end of this year, the broader public will be provided with access to the most advanced technologies, products, services and educational programmes from the field of new technologies. The central economic event of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU is a unique European example of encouraging economy during the entire period of the presidency.

As partners of the Slovenian Digital Center, the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, SPIRIT Slovenia, DIH Slovenia and the BTC Company jointly pursue one of Slovenia’s priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021, i.e. “The resilience, recovery and strategic autonomy of the European Union”. Innovative and with virtual reality enriched opening of the Slovenian Digital Center took place in the presence of the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, prof. dr. Simona Kustec, and the Minister of Public Administration, Boštjan Koritnik.

Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, welcomed the opening of the Slovenian Digital Center and emphasised its aim to present the best dimensions of Slovenian economy since all eyes in Europe are focused on Slovenia during its Presidency of the Council of the EU. “Since the strength of our country is determined by economic resilience I urge all companies to contribute to this being not merely a digital center but also a business hub,” he concluded.

As stated at the press conference held after the opening of the Slovenian Digital Center by the Director General of the Internationalisation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Directorate at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Jernej Salecl, the Slovenian Digital Center personifies the priorities in the field of green transition and digital transformation and sheds light on the most innovative part of the Slovenian economy. “During the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU, when all eyes will be on Slovenia, the Slovenian Digital Center will provide more than 200 companies with opportunities of presenting their technological solutions to the world.”

The Slovenian Digital Center will operate two-dimensionally in the physical as well as the virtual dimension. During the Dubai 2021 World Expo, the Slovenian Digital Center’s virtual dimension will also allow companies to present themselves in the Slovenian pavilion in Dubai. “During this time, SPIRIT Slovenia will prepare various economic delegations and events as well as numerous other activities, where Slovenian companies will be able to get in contact with foreign companies and take advantage of new business opportunities,” said CEO of SPIRIT Slovenia, public agency, dr. Tomaž Kostanjevec.

The content of the 6-month happening is divided into topical parts: July is marked by smart cities and communities, August will focus on sustainable society and economy, September on artificial intelligence, October on 5G and cyber security, November on digitalisation, and December concluding the cycle with Industry 4.0 and robotics. As stated by the Director of Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia, mag. Katja Mohar Bastar, partners have designed a programme that is of interest to various target groups – entrepreneurs, expert public, and families. “We believe that the discussed topics as part of the accompanying events and the presented accomplishments of Slovenian companies will inspire, raise awareness and efficiently contribute to the encouragement and acceleration of digital transformation in Slovenia.”

At the BTC Company, they share the opinion that modern technology brings answers to numerous social, economic and environmental challenges. “As a proud partner of the project, we recognise the potential the Slovenian Digital Center brings to all the participants and the entire society in the form of exceptional business opportunities and the creation of advanced solutions that will tackle the challenges of the modern time,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BTC Company, Jože Mermal.

With the Slovenian Digital Center, Slovenian companies, institutions and individuals gain a space where they will be able to present their knowledge and achievements to the Slovenian and international public. Special attention is given to micro, small and medium-sized companies which can present themselves in the Center free-of-charge as part of the “de minimis” help.

More detailed information on the Slovenian Digital Center programme is available on the website HERE.

Welcome to the Slovenian Digital Center!