Slovanian President Borut Pahor with Qatar Chamber and Qatari Businessmen Association leaders including Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem al-Thani at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday.

By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter


Slovenia has again urged Qatar to invest in the country’s flag carrier, Adria Airways.
Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Ales Cantarutti told Gulf Times the proposal was raised during a meeting between Slovenian President Borut Pahor and HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan on Thursday.
He said Pahor, who attended the opening of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship held here, discussed with the Emir ways to enhance bilateral relations between Qatar and Slovenia, including the proposal, which was initially raised in 2009.
“In some margins during the discussion with the Emir, the idea was again raised that it would be a good idea for Qatar to invest in Adria Airways,” Cantarutti said on the sidelines of a business meeting organised by the Qatar Chamber at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel here.
Cantarutti noted that the proposal was initially discussed by former Slovenian president Danilo Turk with HH the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani during his term in 2009.
Asked if Slovenia specifically wants Qatar Airways to invest in its national flag carrier, Cantarutti said, “They could at least seriously think about this (proposal)…Mergers and partnerships are necessary in the airline business.”
Citing Etihad’s 49% stake at Air Serbia in 2013, Cantarutti said, “I don’t see why Qatar Airways would not do the same.”
“We want Qatar Airways to put investments according to European Union legislation. There are some limitations as to ownership,” said Cantarutti.
According to Star Alliance, where Adria Airways is a member, the airline’s network links Ljubljana with 20 cities throughout Europe with connections to South East Europe and offers more than 180 scheduled flights weekly to Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Istanbul, Manchester, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Podgorica, Prague, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana, Vienna, Zurich, and Warsaw.
Adria Airways also has codeshare agreements with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, Montenegro Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Serbia, Aeroflot, and Swiss International Air Lines.
During yesterday’s meeting, Cantarutti also informed the chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association that Slovenia aims to increase its trade volume with Qatar, which currently sits at only €31.2mn (exports, €7.2mn; imports, €24mn).
With 75% of its exports going to the European Union with key markets such as Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Russia, and France, Cantarutti said, “We would also like to increase our presence in the gulf area, which is why we have come to Qatar to solicit your help and support.”
He noted that potential areas for co-operation with Qatar include logistics and transport, green technology and renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology, chemical industry, and tourism and health tourism.