The country export in the region of Podravje was, like generally in Slovenia,  growing steadily and it was crucial to Slovenia’s economic recovery when the country gained  it’s independence 25 years ago. 

As an EU member and Eurozone member Slovenia’s trade relations with other EU member states is based on free flow of goods. Trade is carried out without customs control, customs duties, quantitative movement of restrictions or any other measures.

In the trading relations with the third countries, outside EU  Slovenia follows the foreign trade policy  of the EU under the common foreign trade regime.

Podravje’s and Slovenia’s economy in general are  highly dependent on international trade. The ratio of merchandise trade (imports and exports) to GDP is one of the highest in the south-east part of the EU .External trade equals nearly 150% of GDP (exports and imports combined). 

Exports and imports as a % of GDP, 2015

Source:Eurostat

Main Slovene trading partners, 2015

Source: Institute of Macroeconomic analysis and development