Panasonic currently owns 11% of the Velenje-based company. The state of Slovenia, the biggest shareholder in Gorenje, has expressed support for a foreign buyer. Gorenje assures that its management board is acting in the best interest of the company.

According to reports by TV Slovenia, Slovenian PM Miro Cerar has scheduled a visit to Japan. He will attempt to strengthen the cooperation between Japanese and Slovenian companies.