Financial Festival in Novo Mesto: From Long-Term Savings to New Opportunities on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange
At the 4th Financial Festival, the Ljubljana Stock Exchange brought together retail investors, financial experts and leading Slovenian listed companies. Key topics included individual investment accounts, ETFs, presentations by listed companies, and the first real estate investment fund aimed at a broader range of investors, with a planned listing on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange and a public offering of new shares.
This time, we brought together the worlds of finance and humour. Stand-up comedian Jure Jamnik added a touch of laughter and created a relaxed atmosphere, while Bloomberg Adria journalist Iva Lačan moderated the presentations and discussions with listed companies.
Today, the Ljubljana Stock Exchange hosted the fourth Financial Festival at the Janez Trdina Cultural Centre in Novo Mesto, marking the event's first in-person edition. The festival offered participants practical insights into long-term investment opportunities and the chance to engage directly with financial experts and representatives of listed companies.
The festival was opened by Marko Bombač, President of the Management Board of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, with a presentation entitled "We Are Living Longer - But Will We Also Live Better?" He highlighted demographic changes, growing pressures on the pension system and the impact of inflation on savings, emphasising that longer life expectancy also calls for longer-term financial planning.
Representatives of stock exchange members then explored practical investment opportunities. Tine Verbole, Head of the BKS Bank AG Branch, introduced individual investment accounts, while Grega Meden, tied agent of FIMA Securities, provided insights into the Croatian capital market. Vid Pajič, Member of the Management Board of Ilirika, explained how investors can gain exposure to domestic and global markets through ETFs.
One of the key developments was presented by Luka Podlogar, President of the Management Board of NLB Skladi. NLB Skladi - Nepremičnine is introducing the first real estate investment fund aimed at a broader range of investors, opening up opportunities to invest in commercial real estate through shares.
The first session concluded with a presentation by Filip Koželnik, Head of Investor Relations at Salus, who outlined the group's transformation from a Slovenian pharmaceutical wholesaler into a regional partner for the commercialisation and distribution of pharmaceutical products and medical devices.
The second part of the event focused on the business performance and development plans of listed companies. Karmen Fujs, Head of Finance, Accounting and Investor Relations at Cinkarna Celje, highlighted the company's investments in production facilities and its financial stability. Polona Pirš, Member of the Management Board of Sava Re, presented the regional growth of the Sava Insurance Group and its presence in international reinsurance markets, while Samo Jošt, Director of Controlling at Telekom Slovenije, discussed the development of telecommunications networks, digital services and cybersecurity.
Helena Ulaga Kitek, Director of Investor Relations at Zavarovalnica Triglav, presented the group's strategy through 2030, focusing on profitability and international expansion. Hedvika Usenik, Member of the Management Board of NLB, outlined the NLB Group's growth plans in Southeastern Europe and the development of digital banking. The presentations concluded with David Bratož, Member of the Management Board of Krka, who provided an overview of the group's international growth and investments in research and development.
The Financial Festival combined financial education with practical insights into the performance of listed companies and emerging investment opportunities. It provided participants with valuable information to help them better understand investments and make more informed assessments of the opportunities and risks involved.
