The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice had the honor of hosting the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Bojan Pograjc, who visited the region’s capital on October 28–29, 2025. The visit, organized by the Honorary Consulate of Slovenia in Katowice in cooperation with the Embassy in Warsaw, included diplomatic and economic meetings and participation in the 15th European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, an event serving as a forum for discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation..
The Ambassador’s visit included a series of talks with representatives of government and local authorities, as well as institutions important for the region’s economic development. He was accompanied by Tomasz Zjawiony, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in Katowice, and Aleksandra Monsiol-Szatkowska, Director of the International Cooperation Office at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice.
The delegation first visited the Silesian Regional Office. The ambassador and the consul met with First Deputy Governor Adam Zaczkowski and discussed the most important challenges facing the region, and then discussed the tasks of the metropolitan union with its Chairman Kazimierz Karolczak and Vice-Chairman Maciej Biskupski at the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie (GZM) Metropolis. The next item on the agenda was a visit to the Katowice City Hall, where a meeting with Vice President Maciej Stachura focused on issues related to the dynamic development of the city of Katowice. The key issues discussed during the talks were metropolitan development, energy transformation, logistics, smart urban solutions, and cooperation in the field of new technologies.
At the Euro-Centrum Science and Technology Park, talks with Vice President Roman Trzaskalik and Director Patryk Białas focused on green technologies, energy efficiency, and opportunities for research and development cooperation.
Ambassador Bojan Pograjc, referring to his activities in Poland and the development of Slovenian-Polish relations, also emphasized:
– My mission in Poland is based on strengthening relations that are already exceptionally dynamic and full of positive energy. Poland and Slovenia are partners united by common European values, similar economic ambitions, and cooperation in many key areas, from trade and innovation to regional security. Our task is to nurture and develop these relations, creating new opportunities for companies, institutions, and citizens of both countries.
The importance of economic relations between Poland and Slovenia is no coincidence, as cooperation between the two countries has clearly intensified in recent years. Trade between the two countries is approaching EUR 3 billion per year and continues to grow steadily. Poland mainly exports machinery, electrical equipment, chemical industry products, metals, and food industry products to Slovenia. Slovenia supplies the Polish market with, among other things, medicines and pharmaceutical products, aluminum, automotive products, and advanced industrial components. Both countries are also developing cooperation in the areas of logistics, modern technologies, energy, and infrastructure projects, taking advantage of connections within the TEN-T network, which is a key element connecting Central Europe and the Adriatic.
In the context of these data, the Honorary Consul of Slovenia, Tomasz Zjawiony, emphasized:
– Slovenia is a strategically important partner for Poland. Our cooperation is characterized by dynamic trade and growing trust between companies on both sides. TEN-T transport connections create a natural economic corridor between Poland and the Adriatic Sea and open up new opportunities for entrepreneurs in logistics, green technologies, and industry.
An important part of Ambassador Pograjec’s visit was his speech at the 15th European SME Congress, where he took part in a panel discussion on international cooperation and building global services based on good relations. The Ambassador pointed out that the modern business world requires the ability to conduct dialogue based on trust, understanding of local realities, and consistent representation of one’s own values, which is the foundation of effective international cooperation:
– In diplomatic and business relations, we must remain true to ourselves. Authenticity and fidelity to our own values are the foundation of lasting relationships. Cooperation based on trust and respect for European standards allows us to build partnerships that bring long-term benefits.
The visit of the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Katowice is an important step forward in strengthening relations between Poland and Slovenia. The combination of institutional meetings, talks with regional authorities, and participation in the SME Congress has created a solid foundation for the development of new projects and the deepening of economic, scientific, and technological cooperation between the two countries. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice and the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia have announced the continuation of joint activities to strengthen business contacts and promote innovative initiatives on both sides of Europe.
Honorary Consulate of Slovenia in Katowice
e-mail: konsulatslowenii@rig.katowice.pl
tel. +48 32 351 11 80
International Cooperation Office RIG in Katowice
e-mail: aszatkowska@rig.katowice.pl
tel. +48 32 781 48 64
The article was featured in the December issue of Business HUB magazine: READ HERE.