Slovenia sees EU trade agreement spurring bilateral trade with PHL

SLOVENIA is betting on the Philippines’ upcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to boost trade relations between the two countries.

Smiljana Knez, ambassador of Slovenia to the Philippines, told reporters late Monday that an EU FTA would “definitely help” unlock more trade opportunities between the Philippines and Slovenia. 

“We are really very happy that the negotiations have gone very well,” she said on the sidelines of an event.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque has said that negotiations for the Philippines-EU FTA could finish by June or July, with signing due in 2027.

The Phil-ip-pines is looking to access addi-tional exports of about $12 bil-lion once the EU FTA is final-ized, the Department of Trade and Industry has said.

Total trade between Slovenia and the Philippines was $30 million in 2025, Ms. Knez said.

Commonly traded products between the two countries include medicine, dairy, semiconductors, and agricultural goods like coconut oil, she noted.

Ms. Knez is bullish about exploring trade and investment opportunities in semiconductors and other tech categories.

“I count on (Slovenian) companies to see the Philippines, and to realize the potential here,” she said. “Personally, I really focus a lot on knowledge-based, high-tech solutions, trying to bring them over.”

Slovenia is also looking to boost investment in the Philippines in the area of energy efficiency, she said, as geopolitical disruptions highlight the need for a secure power supply.

“In energy efficiency, I believe that there is potential, because you are also vulnerable and exposed as we are,” she said.

Last year, Slovenia opened its embassy in the Philippines, its first and only embassy within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with the focus on bringing in more Filipino workers there.

To better attract Slovenian companies, Ms. Knez cited the need to address corruption and red tape issues. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz