Comprehensive planning, which includes a systematic analysis of space, infrastructure, and workforce quality requirements, is key to the successful development of industrial zones in the SAŠA region. We prepared an analysis of occupancy and capacity requirements in the business zones of the SAŠA region.

The SAŠA region boasts a diverse geographical and economic structure, offering opportunities for specialisation and differentiation of industrial zones. It is also important that development strategies take into account environmental standards and sustainable approaches, which are key to attracting high value-added investors. A key element of the successful development of the economic and business infrastructure in the SAŠA region is the strategy of attracting and distributing specific industries to individual zones, taking into account their specific needs and environmental conditions, as well as the importance of revitalising degraded coal mining areas. Planning such strategies is essential for the optimal use of natural and human resources and the creation of synergies between companies in the same region. It is crucial that local authorities and economic operators work closely together in the design and implementation of such strategies, as this is the only way to ensure long-term economic growth and the sustainable development of industrial zones in the SAŠA region. Networking between different industries and support for innovation and technological progress are crucial for strengthening the competitiveness and economic stability of the region in the broader national and international context.

The current economic business infrastructure, with an emphasis on business zones, is almost fully occupied in the SAŠA region (based on a review of the status of existing business zones and their occupancy), At the same time, the SAŠA Region Development Agency, within which the SAŠA Centre for Just Transition operates, continuously records a clear need for additional land where small, medium-sized and large companies in the SAŠA region can expand their production activities and capacities, based on a selection of projects.

Based on data on the number and value of applications for the call for proposals to promote investments for economic restructuring in the Zasavska and Savinjska-Šaleška coal mining regions from the Just Transition Fund (the total value of projects submitted in the SAŠA region amounted to EUR 72 million, with EUR 42.5 million available under the call), the analysis finds that the economy of the SAŠA region has a large number of investment projects ready for the expansion of production capacities and the construction of new facilities, and that these projects must be located within the SAŠA region, preferably in the narrower coal mining area (Velenje, Šoštanj, Šmartno ob Paki). The planned business zones of Metleče in Šoštanj and Pesje-East in Velenje will potentially provide space for these planned investments.

The SAŠA region is intensively focused on strengthening industrial capacities with planned measures aimed at research, sustainability, infrastructure upgrades, and support for the business environment. One of the key tasks is to promote research and development in cooperation with universities and research institutes. Close links between academia and industry will enable the transfer of the latest scientific knowledge and technological innovations into the region’s industrial processes. This will stimulate the growth of high-tech industries, improve the competitiveness of companies, and contribute to sustainable economic development and increased added value. For the long-term sustainable growth of industry in the SAŠA region, it is essential to focus on digitisation, innovation, and sustainable approaches and responses to the needs of the region. The development of smart industrial zones, which involve the use of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and digital analytics, could contribute to increasing the region’s competitiveness on a global scale. At the same time, further investment in infrastructure, particularly digital and logistics infrastructure, would be necessary to ensure an adequate support environment for the growth of industrial activities.

With sustainable development in mind, companies in the SAŠA region are actively introducing green technologies and sustainable practices into industrial processes. They are committed to reducing the ecological footprint of industry with an emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, and the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and sustainable products. With these measures, the region aims not only to improve its environmental image, but also to attract sustainability-oriented investors and create jobs in green industries. Further upgrades to transport and municipal infrastructure are crucial to supporting economic growth and attracting new investment. Upgrades to road networks, the expansion of rail links, and the optimisation of logistics hubs will improve the region’s connectivity and logistical efficiency, which is crucial for the competitiveness of the local economy on a global scale.

Companies in the SAŠA region are offered support through various incentives and support services designed to promote innovation, growth, and internationalisation. The aim is to create a stimulating business environment that will attract entrepreneurs and investors, while enabling existing companies to expand their operations and improve their competitiveness in the market. By actively promoting entrepreneurial initiatives and providing appropriate support services, the region is creating the conditions for sustainable economic development and the long-term prosperity of its inhabitants.

The SAŠA region is thus on its way to becoming an attractive green destination and, at the same time, a centre for innovation, sustainable development and economic growth in Slovenia and wider Europe. By focusing on research, the implementation of green technologies, infrastructure improvements, and support for businesses, it is laying the foundations for sustainable competitiveness and social responsibility, which will enable it to successfully navigate the challenges of the future and exploit new opportunities in the global market.

You can read the analysis here: Analysis of business zones in the SAŠA region

Author: Janja Burkelc