Slovenia anticipates that the forthcoming European Union-Philippines free trade agreement (FTA) will significantly enhance bilateral trade, according to Smiljana Knez, Slovenia's ambassador to the Philippines. Negotiations for the FTA are reportedly progressing well, with potential finalization by June or July and signing in 2027, a development that could increase Philippine exports to the EU by approximately $12 billion. In 2025, Slovenia and the Philippines engaged in $30 million worth of trade, primarily in medicines, dairy products, semiconductors, and agricultural goods like coconut oil. Ambassador Knez expressed enthusiasm for expanding trade and investment in semiconductors and other high-tech sectors, as well as in energy efficiency, citing geopolitical vulnerabilities. Slovenia, which opened its first ASEAN embassy in the Philippines last year, aims to attract more Filipino workers and is focused on promoting knowledge-based, high-tech solutions.