What's New: CEE Investment Opportunities

Ljubljana and Zagreb Stock Exchanges jointly hosted the traditional “CEE Investment Opportunities” investment conference on 27 November 2025 at the Grand Plaza Hotel.

 

This event, held since 2014, provides a valuable opportunity for investors and analysts to deepen their insights into the largest Slovenian and Croatian listed companies through engaging one-on-one meetings.

 

Participants held meetings with representatives of leading companies from:

Participants also had the opportunity this year to speak with representatives of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

 

More than 50 analysts and investors from Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Estonia took part in the conference. Going forward, both exchanges—Ljubljana and Zagreb—remain committed to carrying out individual and joint activities aimed at boosting investor interest and strengthening the confidence of both local and international investors.

 

The conference programme included an introductory address by the Deputy Director of the Securities Market Agency, Sabina Bešter, a presentation of the Slovenian capital market by Oddo BHF, and a presentation on the Bucharest Stock Exchange’s path to obtaining Emerging Market status. The event also featured a panel discussion on the Development of the Capital Market in the Central and Eastern European Region, moderated by Andraž Aš, Ljubljana Stock Exchange. Participants included:

The discussion addressed why Emerging Market status is so important, how far Slovenia (currently classified as a Frontier Market) is from achieving this status, and what steps are still needed to reach it. Romania was highlighted as an example of good practice, having advanced to EM status by FTSE criteria over the past decade — supported by new issuer offerings, increased free-float, more liquidity providers, and coordinated cooperation between the exchange, the regulator, and the state, resulting in capital inflows and greater market liquidity. Panelists emphasized measures such as strengthening the role of institutional investors, especially domestic cornerstone investors, tax incentives for long-term savings for investors and for new listings by issuers, improved stakeholder coordination, and partial privatization — including a list of companies that will be privatized and an indicative timeline. They also stressed that many countries are actively strengthening their capital markets, so Slovenia must not be complacent with recent progress but continue its efforts. Transitioning to EM status is a joint project of the state, the stock exchange, the regulator, and market participants, requiring a clear long-term commitment.

 

The discussion centered around a key question: When will Slovenia achieve Emerging Market status?