The Institute for Strategic Solutions (ISR), in collaboration with SPIRIT Slovenia and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana, is organizing the Slovenian-Albanian Business Forum on 5 February 2026 in Tirana, Albania, at the Tirana Innovation Hub (Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit 5, Tirana).

The Albania–Slovenia Business Forum will bring together key decision-makers, leading business representatives, and institutions from Slovenia and Albania with the aim of strengthening economic cooperation and opening new business opportunities within the common European market. The forum will be held in English.

PROGRAMME

9:00 – 9:30
Arrival and registration of participants

9:30 – 9:40
A Vision for Cooperation: Why Now is the Right Time
• Jakob Štunf, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana
• Tine Kračun, CEO, Institute for Strategic Solutions

9:40 – 9:50
Opening Remarks
• Jure Stojan, Partner and Director of Research and Development, ISR

9:50 – 10:00
Albania: Reforms, Ambitions, and Open Doors for Partners
• Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation of Albania (TBC)

10:00 – 10:05
A formal ceremony for the signing and exchange of bilateral documents

10:05 – 10:20
Inside the Albanian Market: Growth, Key Sectors, and Opportunities
• Laura Saro, CEO, AIDA

10:20 – 10:35
Innovative, Export-Driven, Connected: Slovenia’s Economy in the Region
• Mag. Nataša Kos, Deputy Director, SPIRIT Slovenia

10:35 – 12:00 EU Market at Our Doorstep – Opportunities for Slovenian – Albanian Business Cooperation

Stronger Together: Unlocking the 500-million European Market
• Blaž Brodnjak, CEO, NLB
• Tedo Djekanović, Executive Director of Subsidiary Management Division, Triglav Group
• Arben Shkodra, Secretary General at Albanian National Economic Council
• Alban Zusi, Co-Founder & Group President, AZ Group

When Markets Converge: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
• Samo Kastelic, Management Board Member, Intereuropa
• Sergej Simoniti, branch director Coface Slovenia and Adriatic countries manager, Coface Adriatic
• Erik Akse, Impact Assessment Institute
• Adrian Shehu, CEO, TCN
• Dr. Aleš Ugovšek, CEO, M Sora

Moderator: Saviola Shahollari, CEO, Perutnina Ptuj Albania, MBA IEDC

12:00
Lunch and networking