Mr. Zdravko Počivalšek, the current Minister of Economic Development and Technology for the Republic of Slovenia, will be a keynote speaker at the MK2025 Summit. During his time as minister Mr Počivalšek has championed foreign investment, holding an investment summit in 2014 and initiating a new foreign investment strategy: ‘Programme for Internationalisation of 2015-2020’. Part of Slovenia’s investment strategy is to focus on particular sectors in the economy such as tourism and wood processing. Mr Počivalšek is also successfully overseeing the privatisation of 15 state owned companies, which was initiated in 2013.

Prior to his time as minister, Mr Počivalšek was a celebrated entrepreneur and businessman. He won the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry award in 2004 and was declared Manager of the Year 2010. He is well known for transforming the fortunes of the Atomske toplice spa resort and rebranding it as ‘Terme Olimia’. Prior to managing Term Olimia, he was manager of the Mlekarne Celeia dairy company (1994 to 1999). He began his managerial career at Šmarje pri Jelšah Agricultural Cooperative in 1985, helping to reform the company and left as top manager in 1994.

Mr Počivalšek has a degree in Agricultural Engineering.