Slovenia–Argentina Business Mission 2026: A Week of Meetings, Cooperation, and New Business Opportunities

Buenos Aires hosted a packed schedule of activities as part of the Slovenia–Argentina Business Mission 2026, an initiative that brought together representatives from institutions, public agencies, and companies from both countries with the aim of strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties.

The Slovenian delegation, led by Marjana Majerič, executive director of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, consisted of representatives from eight companies with international experience and an export focus, operating in strategic sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, mining, bioenergy, industrial engineering, the chemical industry, and cultural design.

Throughout the mission, the delegation was accompanied by the Slovenian Ambassador to Argentina, Tina Vodnik; Minister Plenipotentiary Igor Šef; and representatives from SLOAR, who participated in a packed schedule of institutional meetings, business visits, and networking events.

The agenda began with a visit to the Argentine Agency for the Promotion of Investment and International Trade, where the delegation was received by its executive president, Diego Gastón Sucalesca, and by Maximiliano Castillo Carrillo, investment manager. During the meeting, opportunities to deepen trade ties were discussed and promote new investments between Argentina and Slovenia.

The delegation then visited the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA), where it was received by Modesto Magadán, Luis Tendlarz, Fernanda Monti, and their teams. The discussions focused on the opportunities created by the recent agreement between the European Union and Mercosur and on the possibilities for economic cooperation between the two countries.

The day concluded with a visit to Mercado Libre, where Adrián Ecker, Vice President & Commerce Country Manager for Argentina and Uruguay, discussed the company’s growth, its strategic vision, and its experience as one of Latin America’s leading technology companies.

The second day was dedicated to strengthening ties with Argentina’s manufacturing sector. First, the delegation visited Interpack Envases, a paper company belonging to the HZ Group and one of the founding partners of SLOAR. There, Juan Kozelnik and Alejandro Kastelic guided the participants through the plant’s facilities, presenting its production processes, industrial capabilities, and main lines of business.

Later, the delegation was received at the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC) by its director, Ángel Machado; engineer Carlos Areco; and the institution’s Foreign Trade team. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the growth potential of bilateral trade and to analyze opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as tourism, technology, and services.

Each of these activities highlighted the mutual interest in expanding opportunities for cooperation and forging new partnerships between the business communities of both countries.

The highlight of the mission was the Slovenia–Argentina Business Forum 2026, which brought together companies from the Slovenian delegation, their Argentine counterparts, and prominent representatives from the public and private sectors.

Throughout the mission, participating companies held nearly 50 B2B meetings, generating new opportunities for cooperation, investment, and business development.

Ambassador Tina Vodnik opened the forum. Welcoming remarks were then delivered by Giorgina F. Destefano, National Director of Export Promotion; Natalio Mario Grinman, President of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services; and Martín Kriz, President of SLOAR.

The event included presentations on the current state of bilateral economic relations and growth opportunities in strategic sectors. Participants included Fernanda Monti, President of the Department of International Trade and Business at the UIA; Nataša Kokalj Cal, representative of the Division of Internationalization and Investment Promotion at the Slovenian Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sports; and Marjana Majerič, who also introduced the companies that were part of the delegation.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SLOAR. This agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening institutional and business cooperation between the two countries, creating new tools to promote trade, investment, and the development of joint projects.

The mission concluded in Buenos Aires with highly positive results, reflected in the contacts made, the opportunities identified, and the agreements reached during the week of activities.

The meetings held helped strengthen institutional relations, bring the business communities of Argentina and Slovenia closer together, and lay the groundwork for future cooperation initiatives in sectors strategic to both economies.

Although the Slovenia–Argentina Business Forum 2026 has come to an end, the work continues. The delegation continued its agenda with new visits and meetings in Mendoza and Chile, consolidating a process of engagement that seeks to transform dialogue into concrete projects, drive innovation, and generate shared value for both markets.

SLOAR would like to thank all the institutions, authorities, and companies that made this mission possible and that, through their commitment and participation, continue to strengthen the ties between Argentina and Slovenia.