The Board of Investments (BOI) said it stands ready to facilitate business partnerships with Slovenia as the country shifts toward treating energy resilience as a core investment fundamental, an official said Wednesday.
Speaking on the second day of the Science2Business: Energy Resilience for Enhanced Security conference, BOI executive-director Bobby Fondevilla cited a strong alignment between Ljubljana’s capabilities in sustainable energy infrastructure and Philippine needs in disaster preparedness and secure energy systems.
The BOI is open to facilitating joint ventures, technology transfer and R&D collaborations, particularly with Slovenian firms offering dual-use technologies and AI-enabled crisis management solutions, Fondevilla said.
“We look forward to deeper engagement with our Slovenian counterparts, European partners, and all stakeholders present today toward partnerships that create business opportunities while advancing shared security and sustainable growth,” he said.
The country’s investment strategy increasingly prioritizes projects that combine technology, sustainability and resilience. Among these is the Pax Silica initiative, which involves developing a 1,600-hectare Economic Security Zone within the Luzon Economic Corridor. Officials envision the zone as the first AI-native industrial acceleration hub in the Philippines to strengthen trusted supply chains in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and electronics.
Stratbase Group chief operating officer Rupert Paul Manhit said business engagements during the forum, hosted by Stratbase Institute and the Embassy of Slovenia, could lead to memoranda of understanding between companies from Manila and Ljubljana.
“These investments are critical not only to strengthening resilience but also to generating jobs, expanding industries, and supporting long-term economic development,” Manhit said.
Slovenian Ambassador Smiljana Knez said energy efficiency is essential for both countries, noting that present energy decisions will shape future prosperity and security. She added Slovenia is ready to share technologies in smart energy management, advanced electric drives, digital security and critical infrastructure protection.
Slovenia maintains a stable and export-oriented economy deeply integrated into global value chains, with exports accounting for more than 80 percent of its GDP, deputy head of mission Dragan Barbutovski said.
Exports grew 17 percent in 2025, including a 32 percent expansion in non-EU markets, reflecting the competitiveness of Slovenian firms, Barbutovski said.
He attributed this performance to a highly skilled workforce, noting about 1/3 of graduates come from ICT, engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.
