State Secretary Raščan and Director of the Ohio Department of Development discuss strengthening cooperation

State Secretary Dr Raščan with Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

The State Secretary highlighted the importance of relations between Slovenia and the United States, noting Ohio as Slovenia's key partner in the US. He also underlined the importance of Ohio in Slovenia-US relations, owing in particular to its large and active Slovenian community, especially in the Cleveland area. For decades, this community has served as an important bridge between the two countries, while Director Mihalik's visit to Slovenia marks the first visit by a representative of the State of Ohio at this level.

The State Secretary and the Director agreed that the current level of economic cooperation does not reflect the full potential of the two economies. They underlined the importance of fostering direct links between Slovenian and US companies and of exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in investment, technology, research and development.

Particular attention was devoted to sectors where Slovenia and Ohio have strong potential for cooperation. The most promising areas include the automotive industry and e-mobility, advanced manufacturing and robotics, aerospace technologies, semiconductors and electronics, artificial intelligence, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies and digital health. Space and other advanced technologies also offer significant potential for cooperation. State Secretary Dr Raščan and Director Mihalik therefore underlined the importance of establishing direct links between companies and research institutions and of collaborating on joint development and technology projects.

The State Secretary also emphasised how the two economies complement one another. Ohio provides Slovenian companies with access to one of the most important industrial and technological hubs in the US. Meanwhile, owing to its integration into the EU single market, technological expertise and geographical location, Slovenia serves as a springboard for companies from Ohio seeking to strengthen their presence in the European Union and Central and South-Eastern Europe markets.

Director Mihalik's visit is aimed at fostering broader links between Slovenia and Ohio. During her visit, she met with Slovenian companies specialising in space and advanced technologies, as well as with representatives of the business community, various institutions and the City of Ljubljana. The long-standing cultural, educational and community ties between Slovenia and the wider Cleveland area also provide an important foundation for further cooperation.

Both sides expressed the hope that the visit would provide fresh impetus to more systematic and practical cooperation between Slovenia and Ohio, helping to establish new business, technological, research and institutional links.