On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, a group of stakeholders of the Slovenian wood industry attended a study visit to Graz with representatives of the timber and public stakeholders in the Styria, Austria.

The purpose of the study visit was to introduce public and private stakeholders of the Slovenian wood and furniture sector with examples of good practice in the development of the timber industry in Austria, as well as the exchange of experience and further development of bilateral cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the Austrian system of promoting the use of wood and professions in the wood industry.

About 35 participants from the ranks of representatives of ministries and public institutions, companies, architects and development and educational organizations attended the event. In Graz, they became acquainted with the situation and plans of the development of a timber industry in Styria, Austria, formed new contacts and viewed examples of innovative wooden construction.

Representatives of the timber industry, among other things, emphasized:

Velislav Žvipelj, Head of the Development Incentive Sector, Directorate for Wood Industry, Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport: “The Ministry, with financial incentives, legal environment and organizational integration, supports strengthening and transfer of knowledge, accessibility of the latest or. modern technologies, collaboration between stakeholders, sales performance, development of products according to the principles of concomitant cooperation of technologists and designers (Design Thinking) and promoting to raise the reputation of woodworking activities (motivating potential new staff, buyers of wood products. Inclusion of wood as a sustainable building material). “

Bernard Likar,  Wood processing and Furniture Industry Association at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia: “The information we obtain at a study visit will help better understand the factors of the industry growth and what it can mean for the success of the development of the Slovenian wood and furniture industry. It has also been successfully progressing in recent years due to the state’s contribution, and a greater leap requires a joint effort of all direct and indirectly participating stakeholders. “

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The study delegation was organized by the public agency Spirit Slovenia, with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, the Wood Industry Directorate. The co -organizers were the Wood Industry Cluster, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – Wood processing and Furniture Industry, Association, SRIP Smart buildings and home with a timber chain and Holzcluster Steiermark.