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:

• Slovenia: Krka, Petrol, Sava Re, Telekom Slovenije, Triglav Group, Luka Koper, NLB, Cinkarna Celje
• Croatia: AD Plastik, Arena Hospitality Group, Atlantic Grupa, Hrvatski Telekom, Valamar, Span, Podravka, Končar Elektroindustrija, Žito, ING-GRAD
   

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:

• Marko Bombač, Ljubljana Stock Exchange
• Alexandru Stefan, Bucharest Stock Exchange
• Danijel Delač, InterCapital Securities
• Natalija Stošicki, Ministry of Finance
• Tomislav Pasalic, Oddo BHF

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?

The main programme concluded with the Ljubljana Stock Exchange Awards, aimed at highlighting outstanding achievements of stock exchange members, issuers, and institutions that significantly contributed to the dynamics and development of the Slovenian capital market in the past year. The awards, which reflect excellence in trading, transparency, innovation, and strategic impact on market development, were presented by the CEO of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, Marko Bombač.

Award recipients were:

• Prime Market Share of the Year: Triglav Group, one of the three most traded shares on the market and the largest insurance group in the region.
• Member of the Year: InterCapital Securities, for the seventh consecutive year, with more than a 30% share of turnover on the main market segment.
• Best Investor Relations Award: Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, with more than 70 years of tradition and excellence in ESG disclosures.
• Standard Market Share of the Year: Salus, Ljubljana, d. d., which generated EUR 2.7 million in turnover in the third quarter following a stock split and the introduction of a liquidity provider — around EUR 2 million more than the previous quarter.
• SI ENTER Market Share of the Year: Delavska hranilnica d. d. Ljubljana, with nearly 500 shareholders and a market capitalization above EUR 100 million.

In addition to the traditional awards, new categories were introduced:

• Member of the Year (Bond Market): OTP banka d. d., a liquidity provider for a large number of fixed-income instruments, contributing significantly to the growth of turnover in this segment from less than EUR 10 million in 2023 to nearly EUR 20 million in 2024 and EUR 27 million in the first ten months of 2025.
• Biggest Stock Market Move Award: Triglav Group, with more than 120% turnover growth compared to the previous year.
• Biggest Contribution to Market Development Award: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia, which, among other initiatives, significantly activated dormant retail capital through the introduction of people’s bonds and individual savings accounts.

A recording of the event can be viewed at the following link: https://youtu.be/dwSF3an8boY