AGP Executive Report

EU Enlargement Overhaul: EU enlargement chief Marta Kos says the Commission will revive a “pre-enlargement” review with gradual integration, tighter candidate vetting and new safeguards, calling it a new “Helsinki Moment” ahead of October EU leader talks. Port & Logistics: Slovenia’s Luka Koper reports 5% higher container throughput in H1 2026 to 656,150 TEUs, helped by new hinterland manufacturing flows and a new Far East service, while vehicle volumes fell 9% year-on-year. Agri-Food & Machinery: Slovenia’s 64th AGRA fair in Gornja Radgona spotlights agriculture and food, with visitors focusing on farm equipment and production needs. Local Policy for Farming: Prime Minister Janez Janša visits AGRA and backs next-year agricultural policy changes aimed at cutting bureaucracy and supporting young farmers. Industry Trade Event: Bakery and confectionery trade fair IBAKTECH returns Oct 14–17, 2026 with expanded space across 7 halls and near-full bookings, including Slovenian exhibitors. Aquaculture in Focus: Aquaculture Europe heads to Ljubljana this September for its 50th anniversary, with a sustainability and global-change theme and a Slovenian pavilion plus field trips. Construction Demand Watch: Eurostat reports construction production down 1.3% in the euro area in June 2026 vs May, with civil engineering and specialised work hit hardest. Legal & Finance Rule: EU court ruling in the Jenec case says banks can’t refuse basic payment accounts just because an applicant appears on a third-country sanctions list; decisions must be based on individual risk management.

Port & Logistics: Luka Koper says container throughput rose 5% to 656,150 TEUs in H1 2026, driven by new hinterland cargo flows (notably automotive and logistics) and a new Far East service; vehicle volumes fell 9% year-on-year, with weaker exports to Turkey and the wider Middle East blamed on added duties and tougher competition. Agriculture & Policy: Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the AGRA Fair, urging support for farmers as “stewards of the land,” and flagged next year’s agricultural policy changes aimed at cutting bureaucracy and backing young farmers. Construction & Industry Signals: Eurostat reports construction production down 1.3% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU in June, with civil engineering and specialised construction hit hardest. Food Tech Investment: ADM won $2.23M in Iowa tax credits to expand precision fermentation capacity at its Clinton facility, targeting proteins and enzymes and creating 53 jobs. Culture & Creative Industries: CineLink Industry Days in Sarajevo focused on how screenwriters and directors get paid, with collective management seen as the clearest path to workable remuneration. Aquaculture & Sustainability: Aquaculture Europe’s 50th-anniversary conference is set for Ljubljana this September, highlighting Slovenia’s adaptable, smaller-scale farming model.

Precision Fermentation Push: ADM secured a $2.23M Iowa award to expand precision fermentation capacity at its Clinton facility, converting underused space into a larger production hub for proteins and enzymes, with plans to add equipment and create 53 jobs. Construction & Connectivity: Croatia’s Drniš bypass project moved into the second and third phases, with Hrvatske ceste starting work via a consortium including CGP Slovenia, while tenders for the next expressway stretch are being prepared. Slovenia Inflation Watch: Slovenia’s producer prices accelerated in July to the highest level in three years, rising 3.4% year-on-year, led by mining and quarrying (+7.4%) and manufacturing (+2.0%). Local Industry & Finance Rules: The EU court backed a Slovenian bank’s limits on refusing basic payment accounts based only on a third-country sanctions list, stressing case-by-case risk assessment. Aquaculture in the Spotlight: Aquaculture Europe’s 50th-anniversary conference is set for Ljubljana this September, positioning Slovenia’s small-scale, adaptable sector for “global change” discussions. Energy & Risk Context: Wildfires in the Alps region ended after rain and air strikes, underscoring how extreme heat can escalate major forest and emergency response operations. Cash Still Matters: An ECB survey shows Greece at 99% cash acceptance, with Slovenia among the few euro-area countries matching that level, even as card and mobile payments keep gaining ground.

Cycling & Logistics: Tadej Pogačar kept the Vuelta a España lead after a tense stage-2 grind in Provence, saying he follows Wout van Aert’s attacks because they’re “almost invariably” the winning move; meanwhile Matthew Brennan won the long uphill stage ahead of Pogačar, with Pogačar finishing on the same time to protect red. Finance & Banking Rules: The EU Court of Justice ruled that banks can’t refuse basic payment accounts just because an applicant appears on a third-country sanctions list; the decision pushes banks toward case-by-case checks. Retail Payments: An ECB survey shows Greece and Slovenia are the euro area’s cash holdouts, with 99% of Greek and Slovenia businesses accepting cash, even as card and mobile payments keep expanding. Industry Prices: Slovenia’s producer prices accelerated in July to the highest in three years, led by mining and quarrying (+7.4%) and manufacturing (+2.0%). Energy & Consumer Protection: Croatia proposed amendments to its Electricity Market Act to ban disconnections for vulnerable, energy-poor households and require warnings plus flexible repayment plans. Tourism & Trade: Marella Cruises is promoting Slovenia’s Koper as a cheaper alternative to Venice, citing a surge in cruise-search clicks. Slovenia on the World Stage: Ljubljana hosted the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra debut at the Ljubljana Festival, highlighting East-West cultural ties.

Slovenia’s Inflation Watch: Slovenia’s producer prices accelerated in July to a three-year high, rising 3.4% year-on-year (up from 2.4% in June), with mining and quarrying (+7.4%) and manufacturing (+2.0%) leading the move. Energy & Industry Signals: Slovenia’s producer-price jump comes as the region grapples with energy pressure—Croatia is also proposing stronger rules to prevent electricity disconnections for vulnerable, energy-poor households. Adriatic Tourism Push: Marella Cruises is marketing Koper as a cheaper, Venetian-style alternative to Venice, citing a surge in cruise search clicks and positioning Koper as a gateway to Piran. Local Culture & International Links: Ljubljana hosted the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra’s debut at the Ljubljana Festival, spotlighting East-West classical collaboration at Cankarjev Dom. EU Health Access Gap: A new EULAR-backed study flags major disparities across Europe in rheumatology care access, staffing and treatment options. Regional Business Context: Ukraine’s industrial poultry sector is expanding through 2027, with export growth driving output and MHP’s European footprint growing after its Perutnina Ptuj acquisition.

Tourism & Shipping: Marella Cruises is pitching Slovenia’s Adriatic hub Koper as a cheaper, Italian-influenced alternative to Venice, citing a 39% jump in Google clicks for Koper cruise searches and highlighting Tito Square, the Praetorian Palace and easy access to Piran. Energy & Industry: Slovenia’s producer prices kept climbing—July inflation accelerated to a three-year high (3.4% year-on-year), with mining and quarrying up 7.4% and electricity 0.7% higher—an input-cost signal for local manufacturers. Economy & Construction: Eurostat data show construction output in Slovenia surged (+22.9% year-on-year in June), even as parts of the EU cooled, pointing to uneven momentum across the region. Local Business & Services: Croatia moved to protect vulnerable households from electricity disconnections, proposing warnings on consumption spikes, flexible bill repayment, and access to vouchers/subsidies. Sports & Local Spotlight: Luka Dončić’s Lakers trip turned Ljubljana into a mini-camp and sightseeing hub, with a viral boat-tour mishap involving a shirt tossed into the Ljubljanica. Culture & Film Industry: CineLink Industry Days at Sarajevo backed regional projects, with Slovenia-linked talent among award winners and development prizes totaling €131,000 plus €60,000 in kind.

Slovenia Inflation Watch: Slovenia’s producer prices accelerated in July to a three-year high, up 3.4% year-on-year (from 2.4% in June), with mining and quarrying jumping 7.4% and manufacturing up 2.0%, while electricity edged higher. Energy Affordability in the Region: Croatia is pushing amendments to its Electricity Market Act to ban disconnections for vulnerable and energy-poor households, add warnings on unusual consumption spikes, and require flexible bill repayment and debt support. EU Construction Signal: Eurostat data show construction output in Slovenia rising sharply (+22.9% year-on-year in June), even as parts of Europe slowed, highlighting uneven momentum across the bloc. UAV Industry Policy (US): The US eased export controls on many civilian and commercial drones while keeping tighter limits on military-designed and long-range missile-capable systems, aiming to boost domestic competitiveness. Film & Co-Production: CineLink Industry Days at Sarajevo Film Festival handed out €131,000 in cash prizes and €60,000 in kind, with Serbia’s “Wolf Days” winning an Eurimages development award. Tourism Pressure: Croatia’s tourism remains stable in arrivals and overnight stays, but officials warn the next fight is “value for money,” not just visitor counts.

Healthcare Access: A new EULAR RheumaFacts study flags big gaps across Europe in rheumatology care, from rheumatologist density to treatment and non-drug support, setting a baseline for tracking inequality. Public Media Funding: Slovenia’s RTV referendum question targets abolishing the mandatory €14.02 monthly contribution, but the consultative vote may not automatically change law—raising the real issue of who controls financing for public broadcasting. Industrial Costs: Slovenia’s producer price inflation accelerated to a three-year high in July, with mining and quarrying leading the jump and electricity also ticking up. Energy Affordability (Region): Croatia proposes amendments to protect vulnerable and energy-poor households from electricity disconnections, adding warnings, flexible bill repayment, and access to support. UAV Policy (US): The US eases export controls on certain civilian drones while also adding tariffs on imported UAVs—aiming to boost domestic production. Construction (EU): Eurostat shows mixed momentum: Bulgaria’s construction output rose in June, while the EU and euro area fell. EU Energy Regulation: Christof Lessenich is set to head ACER, with the Ljubljana-based regulator facing major rule changes ahead. Slovenia in the Spotlight (Sports/Logistics): Shakhtar Donetsk will play Champions League “home” matches at Stamford Bridge, while Slovenia’s port of Koper logistics ties into NATO artillery movements.

EU Energy Regulation: Christof Lessenich is set to head ACER, the EU’s energy grid regulator based in Ljubljana, as the agency faces a major overhaul of its founding rules and new energy legislation expected through 2040. Construction Watch: Eurostat data show EU construction output slipped in June, but Slovenia stood out with a sharp annual jump (+22.9%), while Bulgaria posted month-on-month recovery (+0.9%) and Romania led monthly growth (+4.9%). Renewables & Storage: Waldevar Energy won an EPC deal for GEN-I Sonce’s 220 MWh battery energy storage project in Romania, with delivery targeted by Q3 2027—another sign storage is moving from pilots to scale. Energy Crisis Impact: Extreme heat and low river levels forced output cuts across the region, including Slovenia’s Krško nuclear plant, as countries scramble to replace lost generation via imports and mix changes. Tourism Value Push: Croatia is warning that visitor numbers are near capacity; the next phase is improving “value for money,” not just arrivals. Film & Co-production: Sarajevo’s CineLink Industry Days crowned regional projects including Slovenia-linked talent, highlighting ongoing cross-border production funding and development momentum.

Energy Regulation: Christof Lessenich is set to head ACER, the EU grid regulator based in Ljubljana, as Brussels prepares major energy rule changes through 2040. Construction Watch: Eurostat data show Bulgaria’s construction output rebounded in June (+0.9% month-on-month, +4.4% year-on-year) even as the EU overall weakened. Renewables & Storage: GEN-I Sonce’s 220 MWh battery storage project in Romania will be delivered by Waldevar Energy under an EPC deal, with delivery targeted by Q3 2027. EU Policy & Security: The new EU FDI screening regulation is now in force, with member states required to implement it by January 2028—important for cross-border deals in sensitive sectors. Climate & Infrastructure: Extreme drought across Europe is exposing old wrecks and disrupting shipping and power; in the region, Slovenia’s Krško output was also reduced during the heat-driven stress. Local Industry Links: A €38.5m Drniš bypass in Croatia is entering construction, with a Slovenian contractor (CGP) in the consortium. Cyber Payments: Researchers describe a “Zombie Card” attack that can revive expired Visa contactless cards in some real-world scenarios, raising new security questions for payment flows. Workforce Signals: Hungary saw the steepest employment decline in Europe year-on-year, with Slovenia also down (-0.93%), pointing to ongoing labour pressure.

Construction Watch: Eurostat says EU construction output fell sharply in June, down 1.0% in the EU and 1.3% in the euro area versus May, with the biggest monthly drops in Slovakia (-4.6%) and Hungary (-3.9%). Energy Resilience: Europe’s electricity system is under strain as drought and heat cut hydropower and nuclear output; the EU Electricity Coordination Group met after “tight” conditions, with storage seen as key for evening peaks. Renewables & Storage Deal: Waldevar Energy won an EPC contract to deliver a 55 MW / 220 MWh battery storage project for GEN-I Sonce in Romania, targeting delivery by Q3 2027. Extreme Weather Hits Industry: Croatia’s prolonged heat is damaging tourism and agriculture, with economic costs estimated around 1% of GDP and productivity losses tied to temperatures above 30°C. EU Digital Enforcement: The e-Evidence regulation is now fully applicable, letting investigators in EU states request digital data directly from tech firms with fast deadlines. Local Infrastructure: Croatia’s Drniš bypass construction has started, with a €38.5m project led by a consortium including Slovenia’s CGP. Slovenia in Focus: A study flags Slovenia’s employment decline (-0.93%) amid regional labor shortages and migration pressures.

Transport Infrastructure: Croatia has started construction on phases 2 and 3 of the €38.5m Drniš bypass, with Slovenian firm CGP in the contractor consortium; the route will include major overpasses, viaducts and a 220m bridge over the Čikola River, aiming to cut through-traffic and improve links toward the Šibenik–Drniš–Knin–Bosnia expressway. Energy & Industry Emissions: Eurostat reports EU greenhouse gas emissions rose 0.3% in Q1 2026 to 837m tonnes CO2-eq, with the biggest quarter-on-quarter increases tied to construction and utility services; Slovenia recorded the largest reduction among the declining countries (-5.0%). Energy System Stress: Europe’s power grid is facing summer strain as heat and drought reduce generation, prompting an EU coordination meeting and highlighting that added renewables and batteries don’t automatically equal real resilience. Digital Regulation: The EU’s e-Evidence rules now fully apply, letting investigators in member states request digital data directly from major tech firms with faster deadlines. Slovenia Economy: Slovenia’s GDP growth accelerated in Q2, driven by stronger consumption and a big jump in investment in buildings and structures. Logistics & Trade: A shortlist for “Project Logistics Provider of the Year” includes Comark, which points to recent infrastructure investment at Slovenia’s port of Koper. AI & Robotics Investment: Former Nvidia researcher Sanja Fidler raised over US$90m for Veeda Innovation, a robotics AI startup training robots in simulated environments.

Digital Justice in the EU: The e-Evidence Regulation is now fully in force, letting EU investigators demand emails, messages, traffic data and subscriber details directly from major tech firms with a fast compliance timeline. Energy Security: Europe’s power system is showing summer vulnerability as drought and heat cut generation, pushing the EU to rely more on storage and better interconnection. Climate Risk for Industry: Croatia’s prolonged extreme heat is hitting tourism and agriculture, with heat increasingly linked to lower labour productivity and higher adaptation costs. Local Economy & Jobs: A new study flags Hungary as the steepest employment decliner in Europe, with Slovenia also down, pointing to ageing, migration and weaker momentum. Slovenian Business & Trade: Arrow Electronics expands IBM distribution to Slovenia, boosting access for local channel partners to infrastructure, automation and data solutions. Construction & Growth: Slovenia’s GDP growth accelerated in Q2, driven by stronger consumption and a jump in investment, especially buildings and structures. Logistics & Ports: Comark’s project-cargo push is in the spotlight as it invests in infrastructure at Slovenia’s port of Koper and Črnomelj. Working Holiday Visas: Australia pauses working holiday visa processing from 24 countries, raising concerns for industries that depend on seasonal labour, including agriculture and regional tourism.

Energy Resilience: Europe’s power system is showing summer weaknesses as heatwaves and drought cut generation, leaving the EU “tight” despite added renewables and batteries—storage is key for the evening peak. Nuclear & Water Management: Slovenia’s Krško plant is ramping up as Sava River conditions improve, after earlier power limits to protect river temperatures. Digital Evidence Rules: The EU’s e-Evidence regulation is now fully in force, letting investigators in most member states demand data directly from major tech firms with fast deadlines. Cybersecurity & Payments: A new Android malware campaign turns phones into fake NFC payment relays, draining cards in real time. Logistics & Ports: Arrow Electronics expands IBM distribution to Slovenia and other countries, while Comark highlights port investment at Koper in a project logistics award shortlist. Local Industry Growth: Slovenia’s GDP growth accelerated in Q2, driven by stronger consumption and construction investment. Energy Prices: Gasoline and diesel prices rose sharply across Europe after the Iran-related energy shock, with big country-by-country differences. Film & Media Industry: Ji.hlava’s Docu Talents from the East backs Ora et Labora and Retuning, while Fantastic Fest 2026 spotlights genre premieres and new talent. Tech in Mobility: Volkswagen EV drivers get Digital Key access via Samsung Wallet in Europe.

Working Holiday Visa Pause: Australia has paused working holiday-maker visa processing from 24 countries, including Slovenia, raising alarms from tourism and agriculture groups that rely on seasonal labour. Slovenian Economy: Slovenia’s Q2 GDP grew 5.0% year-on-year, with consumption up 5.9% and investment rising 13.2%, led by buildings and structures. Energy Prices in Europe: A new country-by-country snapshot shows gasoline and diesel prices up sharply in many EU states after the Iran-linked energy shock, with diesel increases often outpacing gasoline. Nuclear & Water Stress: Krško Nuclear Power Plant lifted output to 90% as cooler Sava River conditions returned, after earlier power limits to protect river temperatures. Fintech Spotlight: A look at Slovenia’s “quiet” fintech market argues the country is building on strong banking access and digital payments rather than starting from scratch. Industrial Robots: Global factory automation hit a new milestone as industrial robots running simultaneously surpassed 4.6 million worldwide. Print Quality in Slovenia: WAN-IFRA’s International Color Quality Club 2026–2028 added Ljubljana’s DELO to its membership list, highlighting consistent newspaper colour standards.

Slovenia–Kazakhstan Ties: Slovenia and Kazakhstan reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation after talks between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov and newly appointed Slovenian Ambassador Branko Rakovec, with agriculture, energy, digitalization, construction, and culture among the shared priorities. Nuclear Output Watch: Krško Nuclear Power Plant lifted output as Sava River conditions improved, reaching about 90% capacity on 14 August after earlier power reductions to protect river temperatures and meet environmental limits. IT Channel Expansion: Arrow Electronics expanded IBM distribution coverage to seven more countries, including Slovenia, aiming to help channel partners deliver hybrid cloud, automation, and data solutions. Print Quality in Focus: WAN-IFRA announced results of the International Color Quality Club 2026–2028, adding Slovenian publisher DELO d.o.o. (Delo, Ljubljana) to the membership list. Fintech Angle for Slovenia: A new look at Slovenia’s fintech scene argues the country is less about building from scratch and more about optimizing a highly banked, digitally mature market aligned with EU digital finance rules. Energy Policy Lessons: A Eurofound review of EU responses to the 2026 energy price spike highlights a mix of short-term relief and longer-term moves to diversify supply and cut dependency.