Slovenia Your Business Partner - EU, 2008 · A Positive Business Climate 6 An Open Trade-Oriented Economy 8 Direct Investment 9 Premium Products 10 ... Slovenia’s economy flourished

Slovenia Your

Business Partner

www.sloveniapartner.com

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•Area:20,256km2•Population:2,010,400(December2006);83%ethnicSlovene(2002Census)•Capitalcity:Ljubljana267,400inhabitants(December2006)•Othermajortowns:Maribor(110,600),Kranj(53,200),Koper(49,800),Celje(48,800),Novomesto(41,900),NovaGorica(36,100)andMurskaSobota(20,300)•Sloveniaissubdividedintotwelvestatisticalregions•GDPgrowthin2006:5.2%•AverageannualGDPgrowth1997-2006:4.1%•GDPpercapitainpurchasingpowerstandards(PPS)in2006:20,600(84%ofEU25average)•Politicalsystem:democraticrepublic;amemberoftheEUandNATOsince2004;Slovenia’shighestlegislativebodyisits90-memberparliament.

General Information

•Localtime:CentralEuropeanTime(CET)•InternationaldiallingcodeforSlovenia:+386•InternationalcallsfromSlovenia:“00”prefix-followedbythecountrycode•InternationalsymbolsforSlovenia:SI,SVN,SLO•SlovenianInternetdomainsuffix:.si•Internetuse:53%oftheSlovenianpopulationaged10-74usestheInternet.96%ofbusinesseswithmorethantenemployeeshaveInternetaccess(source:National Statistical Office,2006)•Internethosts:104,600(January2007;source:Centre for

Methodology and Informatics)•Mobilephoneownership:88%ofthepopulationaged10-75(source:Centre for Methodology and Informatics)•NationalHolidays:1st&2ndJanuary,8thFebruary,EasterSunday&EasterMonday,27thApril,1st&2ndMay,25thJune,15thAugust,31stOctober,1stNovember,25th&26thDecember•Currency:Euro

Slovenia

Dating from the 1848 “SpringofNations”, the flag of the Republic of SloveniaisbasedonthatoftheDuchyofCarniola(Kranjska),andconsistsofahorizontalwhite-blue-redtricolourwiththenationalcoat-of-armsinitsupperleftfield.

Thecoat-of-arms,aheraldiccomposite,bearsanimageofMountTriglav(“three-heads”) on a blue background; the two undulating blue linesbelow it signify riversand thesea,while the threesix-pointedgoldenstarsabovearefromthearmsoftheCountsofCelje,indigenousrulersofmuchofSloveneterritorybetweenthe12thand15thcenturies.

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

CROATIAITALY

Ljubljana

Maribor

Koper

MurskaSobota

Postojna

Celje

Ptuj

NovaGoricaNovoMesto

Jesenice

KranjVelenje

SlovenjGradec

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Contents

AResourcefulandDynamicCountry 4

APositiveBusinessClimate 6

AnOpenTrade-OrientedEconomy 8

DirectInvestment 9

PremiumProducts 10

KeyPartners 12

InformationTechnology 13

Chemicals,PharmaceuticalsandBiotechnology 14

AutomotiveSector 15

ConstructionandCivilEngineering 16

LogisticsandTransport 17

EnergySupply 18

IndustrialDesignandaSpiritofInnovation 19

FinancialServices 20

CommitmenttotheEnvironment 21

AHolidayAwayFromItAll… 22

Bled,Photo:J.Skok,STB

Herdsmen’shutsontheVelika Planinahighlandpasture,Photo:J.Skok,STB

Piran,Photo:U.Trnkoczy,STB

Contents

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Sloveniaisacountry:

•at the very crossroads of Europe – whereMediterranean, Dinaric,AlpineandPannonianinfluencesmeet,mingleandmerge;

•acrosswhichonecandriveinamerethreeorfourhours,and-inthetranquillityofunspoilednature-leavetheurbanrushfarbehind;

•where in a single day one can ski on high Alpine slopes, wanderthrough primeval forests, and swim in the warm waters of theAdriatic.

Slovenia's identity is not expressed merely through its history orcultureandthecentury-longroadtoindependence;norisitamatteroflanguage-thefirstwrittentestamenttowhichistheFreising Manuscriptthatdatesbacktothefirstmillennium. Indeed,thiscountryexhibitsadisparate individuality,anddespite itssmallsizemanysignificantfiguresfromhistorywerebornandraisedonitsterritory.

Ofthese,mentionshouldbemadeofJožef Stefan(1835-1893),oneofthemostdistinguishedphysicistsof thenineteenth century.Amongotherthings,Stefanoriginatedalawthatthetotalradiationfromablackbodyisproportionaltothefourthpowerofitsabsolutetemperature,knownastheStefan-Boltzmannlaw.

ThemathematicsprofessorandartilleryofficerJurij (Georg) Vega(1754-1802)isbestrememberedforhistablesoflogarithmsandtrigonometricfunctions. In addition to calculating the first ten-figure logarithms,Vegaalsocalculatedpi to140decimalplaces,afeatunsurpassedforover50years.

TheopusofJože Plečnik(1872-1957)hasbecomeatruerevelationinEuropeanarchitecturalcircles.Besidestheextraordinarilyhighqualityofhiswork,Plečnikwasalsoacclaimedforhisoriginalandinnovativestyle.HismostrenownedbuildingsareinLjubljana(the“Tromostovje”-Triple-bridge, theNational and University Library,Ljubljana market,andthereconstructionofKrižanke Monastery),Prague(reconstructionoftheHradcanyCastlecomplex,andtheChurchoftheSacredHeart)andVienna (theZacherl apartmentblock in the city centre, and theChurchoftheHolySpiritinOttakring).

A Resourceful and Dynamic Country

A country in the heart

of Europe

A rich heritage

Maribor,Photo:A.Fevžer,STB

Tromostovje–ThreeBridges,andthePrešerenMonument,Photo:M.Kranjec

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Slovenia,thecountryatthecrossroadsofmanyhistoricalmigrationsand trading routes, is a rich treasury of ancient artefacts. Amongstnumerous precious archaeological finds are a number of globalsignificance, such as the 45,000 year-old Moustarian Bone Flute,the earliest preserved musical instrument in the world, which wasdiscoveredintheDivjeBabeCavenearIdrijainnorthwesternSlovenia;thereisalsotheVače Situla,a5thcenturyBCCelticurnunearthedincentralSlovenia.Suchpricelessrelics,togetherwithawealthofotherartefactsofhistoricalimportance,areexhibitedinover200museumsandothercollectionsthroughoutthecountry.

Architectural heritage is both rich and diverse. The vedute ofSlovenia’stownsandvillageshasevolvedovercenturies.InadditiontoRomanremains,therearechurches,monasteriesandcastleswithRomanesqueandGothicelements,whiletheseminalmarketboroughswhichdeveloped in theMiddleAgeswere latterlycomplementedbyRenaissancemansions,therichsplendouroftheBaroque,aswellasexamplesofclassicismandsecessioniststyles.

InadditiontobeinginfluencedbyanumberofmainstreamEuropeanarchitectural trends, Slovenia’s landscape is in a great many waysdistinguishedbytheidiosyncrasiesandparticularitiesfosteredbylocalcreativity, thecountenanceofwhichchanges fromone locale to thenext.InthelittoralregionandtheVipavaValleysuchindigenousstyleismanifestedinthedetailsofstoneworkelements,whereasalongtheSočaValley the tiled roofs that replacedtheerstwhile thatchremainof particular interest. The old granaries and celebrated Sloveniankozolci hay-racks, together with ornamented village wells, are alsonoteworthy.

The longstanding tradition of crafts and small-scale manufacture -whichwere theprecursorof thisnation’s industries - is foremostlyexpressed in glassware (Rogaška), Idrija lacework, the cast-ironproductsthatemanatedfromCarniola’searliestfoundries,earthenwarefromPrekmurje,aswellashoneybiscuits,festivecakesanddecoratedbreadsfromeverycorneroftheland.

Sloveniafacesthefuturewithafirmbeliefthatitsindigenousknow-how, innovativeness and dynamism - in conjunctionwith itswayoflife-shallfurthercontributetothegreatwealthofworldcultureandcommerce.

Toplar–doublehay-rack,withstoreabove,Photo:Bobo,STB

TheTolminkastream,Photo:J.Skok,STB

Izola,Photo:J.Skok,STB

Know-how and innovation are the key to continued prosperity

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Slovenia continues to bring about its vision of a successful,internationallycompetitive,flexibleanddynamiceconomy;thevisionof a country of educated and motivated people who contribute tooverallgrowthand,bywayofthis,toprosperityandsocialharmony.

Entering the euro zone in 2007was the singlemost important stepinSloveniabecomingamodern,advancedandcompetitiveEuropeaneconomysinceitsEUaccessionin2004.Italsobecamethefirstnewmemberstatetointroducetheeuro,aswellasthethirteenthcountrytoadoptthecurrency.AccordingtotheEurostat’sJune2007forecast,Sloveniawillhaveachieved84percentoftheEU25averageGDPpercapitainpurchasingpowerparity,andisthusranked16thamongtheEU27asregardsthisstandardmeasure.

Main Economic Indicators

2004 2005 2006 2007 forecast

GDP (billion Euro) 26.3 27.6 29.7 31.2GDP per capita (PPS) 18,200 19,200 20,600 21,900GDP annual growth (%) 4.4 4.0 5.2 4.5 - 5.0Export growth (% in real terms) 12.5 10.5 10.0 9.0Import growth (% in real terms) 13.4 7.0 10.4 8.3Inflation rate (%) 3.6 2.5 2.5 2.5Unemployment rate (% - ILO) 6.3 6.5 6.0 6.0Source:National Statistical Office, CCIS-SKEP calculation

GDP Structure in 2005 – Main Sectors

Services63.3%Agriculture2.5%Construction5.9%Industry28.3%

Source:National Statistical Office, CCIS-SKEP calculation

Slovenia’s economy flourished in the run-up to the adoption of theeuro.During2006theeconomygrewby5.2percent in real terms,arecord only surpassed in 1999. Along with the impressive build-upofinvestmentsandmoderateprivateconsumption,exportswerethemajorimpetustoGDPgrowth.VerypositivetrendsintheeconomiesofSlovenia’stradingpartnerswerereflectedinthestronggrowthofgoodsand services exports, which reached 10 percent in real terms. ThisrobustincreaseinGDP,fuelledbyexportsandheightenedinvestmentactivities,hascontinuedinto2007.

A Positive Business Climate

An internationally competitive, flexible and dynamic economy

StudentsinfrontoftheFacultyofNaturalSciencesandEngineering,oneof23facultiesand3academiesoftheUniversityofLjubljana,Photo:M.Kranjec

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Slovenia appropriates approximately 1.22% of its GDP to scientificand researchendeavours,while66%of financial resources forsuchemanatefromthecommercialsector.

GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Standards - Indices for Selected EU States (2006)Levelindex,EU25average=100

Austria

Germany

Italy

Greece

Slovenia

CzechRepublic

Portugal

Hungary

Estonia

Slovakia

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Source:Eurostat, May2007

Slovenia has continued to improve its position on the 185-countryrisk-ranking list published by Euromoney magazine. In spring 2007,Sloveniawasranked25thandisthusconsideredtheleastriskyofallthenewEUmemberstates.

Country Risk – World Ranking of EU New Member States

Country Rank March 2007

Rank March 2006

Slovenia 25 28Malta 29 31Cyprus 33 34Czech Republic 37 39Hungary 41 41Poland 44 43Slovakia 45 45Estonia 46 42Latvia 47 51Lithuania 49 53Bulgaria 57 63Romania 60 65Source:Euromoney,March2007

Theconcentrationofvariousactivitiesinoneplacetriggeredthedevelopmentofabusinesscentre-BTCCityLjubljana,Photo:BTCd.d.

Scientific and research endeavours are of increasing importance

Slovenia is considered among the most risk free of all the new EU member states

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Slovenia’sexportsofgoodsandservicesaccountforcloseto70%oftotalGDP,bywayofwhichthiscountryhasearnedareputationasanopen,competitiveeconomy.Inlinewiththeeconomicupturnacrossthe EU, and favourable international trends, Slovenia’s exports ofgoodsandservicesincreasedby10percentinrealtermsduring2006(whilegoodsalonewereupby10.8%).Servicesexportsgrewby6.4%inrealtermslastyear,whichforthemajorpartwasaconsequenceofthebuoyanttourismandtransportsectorsthatrespectivelyaccountedfor43%and30%oftotalinvisibleexports.

High export and import growth is forecast to continue throughout2007and2008,exportataround9%,withimportslaggingalittlewaybehind.Theindexofopenness,expressedastheproportionofexportsandimportsinrelationtoGDProseto1.39in2006.Positivetrendsintradehavealsocontinuedinto2007,duringwhichgrowthinexportsandimportswasrobust,over10%inrealterms.

Asinpreviousyears,Slovenia’smostimportanttradingpartnersremainitsEUones,accountingfor69%oftotalexportsand80%ofallimports.Exportsofgoodsalso increasedonthesemarkets,mainly thanks tostrongsales to theUKandGermany,aswellas toAustriaand Italy.Furtherpositivetrendsintradewiththenewmemberstatescontinued.Amongnon-EUmarkets,exports to theCIS regionacceleratedmost,though positive trends were also recorded as regards Norway, andothercountriesfurtherafield,suchastheUSA,Australia,China,India,Japan, Argentina and Chile. Exports toSerbia andMontenegro alsostrengthenedin2006,asdidthosetoCroatia.

Slovenia’s Major Trading Partners in 2006

Exports(%oftotal) Imports(%oftotal)EU25 68.5 80.3Non-EUstates 31.5 19.7Germany 19.7 20.3Italy 12.9 18.6Croatia 8.7 4.0Austria 8.6 12.3France 6.8 6.2

Source:NationalStatisticalOffice,March2007

Slovenia’s Five Largest Exporters and Importers

Exporters:Revoz,Gorenje,Lek,Krka,ImpolImporters:Revoz,Petrol,Gorenje,OMVSlovenija,MerkurSource:NationalStatisticalOffice,CCIS–database

Exports in 2006 - Major Product Trading Groups

The largest proportions of Slovenia’s exports was accounted for byautomobiles, pharmaceuticals, raw steel and steel manufactures,seats, parts and accessories for motor vehicles, electrical energy,pumps,pneumatictyres,unwroughtaluminium,electricwaterheaters,furnitureandfurnituresemi-manufactures,refrigeratorsandfreezers.Source:NationalStatisticalOffice,calculatedbyCCIS-SKEP

An Open Trade-Oriented Economy

Exports account for close to �0% of Slovenia's GDP

Motorvehicletransportbyrail,Photo:M.Kranjec

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Dueto thequalityof its labour force, infrastructure, theproximityofregional markets, as well as lifestyle, Slovenia has a great deal tooffer the foreign investor. Further to this, the government positivelyencouragesandsupports FDIas itundoubtedlyenhanceseconomicdevelopmentthroughthecreationofnewjobs,aswellasfostersthebilateraltransferofknow-howandtechnology.

FDIinflowstotalled303.4millioneurosin2006,whilsttheaggregatevalueofFDIstockinSloveniatodayexceedssixbillioneuros.Atthesametime,outwardinvestmentbySlovenianenterprisesiscontinuallygrowing,andamountedto590.3millioneurosin2006whenSloveniawasonceagain -as in2003and2005 -anet investor, thus furtherintegratingthecountryininternationalmarketsandcommerce.

Major Foreign Investors in Slovenia

•Manufacturing: Bosch, Brigl and Bergmeister, BHS, Danfoss, EGO,GKN, Goodyear, Gruppo Bonazzi, Hella, Henkel, Johnson Controls,Lafarge Perlmooser, Meyr Melnhof, Novartis-Sandoz, Pfleiderer,Renault,SafiloGroup,Securidev,Siemens,Styria,SunRoller,TitusInternational,VogtElectronic•Financial Services: Bank Austria CA, Hypo-Alpe-Adria Bank, KBC,RaiffeisenBank,SanPaoloIMI,SociétéGénérale•Retail:E.Leclerc,MOL,ÖMV,Rutar,Spar•Other Services: AC Nielsen, Debitel, Deloitte, DHL, Ernst & Young,GfK, Grieshaber, KPMG, IBM, ISS, Microsoft, Mobilkom, Oracle,PricewaterhouseCoopers,SodexhoAlliance,S&T

Source:JAPTI2007

ThemajorportionofSlovenia’s investmentsabroadhasbeenmadeintotheservicesector.Investmentsinfinancialintermediation,tradeenterprises and similar such business activities account for 42.1percentofthetotal.Asregardsmanufacturing,thechemicalssector,includingpaintsandartificialfibres,aswellasfoodstuffs,beveragesandfodderwasparticularlywellrepresented.

Volume of Slovenian Outward Investment by Country, as of 31st December 2006

Totalvalueofinvestments(inmillionsofEuros) 3,457.2Croatia 926.9SerbiaandMontenegro 790.1(Montenegro70.9)Netherlands 354.8Bosnia-Herzegovina 343.6Poland 138.8Germany 74.1Macedonia 117.3Austria 97.6RussianFederation 120.9

Source:Bank of Slovenia,2007

Major Slovenian Investors Abroad

Manufacturing ETI,Gorenje,Helios,Iskraemeco,Iskratel,Kolektor,Krka,Lek,Prevent,Sava,IstrabenzGroup

Servicesectors Mercator,Merkur,Petrol,TermeČatež,HITCasinos,Intereuropa,TriglavInsuranceCompany

Direct Investment

Slovenia has a lot to offer foreign investors

KrkaproductionanddistributioncentreinWarsaw,Poland,Photo:Krkad.d.

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Despite this country’s small size, a surprising number of Sloveniantrademarks are renowned the world over. And it might well be acoincidence,butthefactremainsthatmanyofthisnation’spre-eminentmanufacturesarecloselyrelatedtorecreationalsports–mainlywinterones,butalsoforthosewhoseinterestsarefarfromearthbound…

Agreatmanyprofessionalcompetitors,aswellasamateurs,descendsnowy slopes on Elan skis (www.elanskis.com), first made worldfamousthankstotheSwedeIngemarStenmark,whowasundoubtedlyoneofthegreatestskiersever.Todaythecompanyiswellknownforitscarvingtechnology,thefruitofElan’sindigenousR&Dendeavours.Thelatestawardsreceivedincludethe2007Red Dot Design Award,the2006 Ispo European Ski Awardandthe2006Medal of Excellenceintheperformancecategory.

Alpina(www.alpina.si),aleadingmanufacturerofcross-countryboots,supplies footwear to the national as well as many foreign biathlonteams.Alpinaskibootsarewornbysomeofthemostdistinguishedcompetitors,includingtheNorwegianseveral-timesworldandOlympicchampion,OleEinarBjoerndalen,aswellastheyoungNorwegianracerAstridJacobsen.

Sloveniaalsoplaysaroleinoneoftheworld’smosttechnologicallydemanding spheres of engineering – aircraft manufacture. Pipistrel(www.pipistrel.si)manufactureshigh-qualitymicrolightandultralightaircraftsunderitsowntrademark,andranksamongthemostacclaimedandreputablemanufacturersinitsfield.

Bywayoftheirdesignworkaswellascraft,Sloveniancompaniesalsofeatureintheworldofnauticalengineering.DidyouknowthatBavariaandDofoursailboatsaretheproductsofSloveniandesigners?Seaway(www.seaway.si)isoneofthefewEuropeancompaniestospecialiseinthedesignanddevelopmentofyachtsandmotorboats.Overrecentyears,Seawaydesignedcraftshavebeenbuilt in24shipyards in14countries. And what one designs, another can build; indeed some12,000 vessels have been constructed under licence. Elan Marine(www.elan-marine.com)hasbeeninvolvedinyachtmanufacturesince1949,andthereisever-increasingdemandforitssail-andmotor-boats.Indeed,theproudownersoftheElanvesselsaretobefoundinmarinasrightaroundtheglobe,andthisyeartheElan 410and Impression 514havebeennominatedforEuropeanYachtoftheYearAwards.

TheSlovenesarealsoanationoftravellers.Onemayhittheroadtodistant landswith aSlovenianmotor homeor touring caravan, andAdria Mobil (www.adria-mobil.si) is one of the leading Europeancompaniesinthisfield.

In addition to vehicle manufacture, Slovenia’s automotive sectorboastsaworldleaderinthemanufactureofexhaustsystemsforracingmotorcycles-Akrapovič(www.akrapovic-ai.si).In2007,therespectedGermanmotorcyclingmagazineMotorrad, selectedAkrapovič as thebestexhaustsystembrandforasecondyear.

Simple & Logicalisthetrademarkofwashingmachinesandarangeofhouseholdappliances-whichalsoembracesintelligentrefrigerators

Premium Products

Slovenian trademarks - renowned the world over

Shipman63,Photo:SeawayGroupd.o.o.

Sense–asnowboardfromtheElanchicasrange,Photo:Eland.d.

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connectedtotheInternet-manufacturedbyGorenje(www.gorenje.si).Andsincethedesignoftheseappliancesisunderscoredbytheworldfamous Pininfarina mark, they can’t be anything but first-class. In2007Gorenje’sblackfridge-freezer,adornedwith3,500Crystallized™SwarovskicrystalsreceivedthePlus x Award™.

Advanced technological solutions, high quality, spirited innovationandecologicalawarenessaretodayintegratedinthedevelopmentandproductionorientationsofagreatmanySlovenianmanufacturers.

Developmentprojectsarealsofocusedonthecreationofnewproductsthat gain recognition internationally, and from theremake the stepto becoming pre-eminent on worldmarkets. Among the companiespursuingsuchabusinessstrategyare:

•AGB Lab (www.agblab.com) – the world’s leading developer andmanufacturer ofmedia ratingsmeters, used to assess the size oftelevisionaudiences.•Balder(www.balder.si)–producerofLCDelectro-opticdevices,lightamplitudemodulatorsandLCDactiveweldingfilters.•With numerous new patents in the field of biotechnology BIA

Separations (www.biaseparations.com)istheworld’sonlyproducerof short monolithic columns optimised to meet the research andproductionneedsofthebiotechnologysector.•Bisol (www.bisol.si) – high performance photovoltaic modulesmanufacturedfrommonoandmulticrystallinesilicon.•Cosylab (www.cosylab.com) – specialised in the provision ofhardware and software for control systems development andintegration of particle accelerators, radio telescopes as well asother sizeableexperimentalphysics facilities. Inaddition,Cosylabis also penetrating the geographic information system andtelecommunicationsmarkets.•Ekliptik (www.ekliptik.si) – equipment for computer-supportedsurgical procedures. It undertakes research into new procedures,upgradesexistingonesanddevelopsproductsformedicaluseandoperatingtheatresinparticular.•Elektronček (www.elektroncek.si)–producerofG3andG4Organicbrandsofelectro-mechanicaldevicesforthegamingindustry.•MDM(www.mdm.si)–processinghigh-alloyandcorrosion-resistantsteel.•MO-GY (med.over.net/mo-gy/) has devised a new method ofmicrowaveradiometryfortheearlydetectionofbreastcancer.•Tipro(www.tipro.net)–manufacturingarangeoffullyprogrammablemodularkeyboards,touchscreensandrelatedaccessories.•Ocean Orchids(www.oceanorchids.si) – production of pottedfloweringorchids•Porcelain Catbriyur Bricman Jure (www.catbriyur.net) – producinganexclusiverangeofporcelainware,whichgracetheboutiquesofLjubljanaandParis.•Sekvenca(www.sekvenca.si)–providerofadvanced3D-image-basedsolutionsformedicine,interactiveentertainmentandGISdatasets.•Ultra (www.ultra.si) – providing innovative mobile transactionsolutions and new generation of technologies under itsMargentobrand.

TCS,theultimatemodeloftheAlpinacross-countryracingcollectionisknownforitsextremelylighttitan-carbonfibres,Photo:Alpinad.d.

Akrapovičexhaustsystems,Photo:Akrapovičd.o.o.

Ultralightaircraft,Photo:Pipistreld.o.o.

Research and development leading the way

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If you are looking for a business partner in Sloveniawww.sloveniapartner.commayholdthekey.Inadditiontoprovidingavarietyofusefulinformationonthecountryanditseconomy,thesitealsoencompassesdatabasesaimedatfacilitatingyourpenetrationoftheSlovenianmarket.

Furthertothis,thefollowingmayalsobeofinterest:

•SLOEXPORT www.gzs.si/sloexport - This database of Slovenianexporters provides easy and quick access to up-to-date detailedpresentationsofenterprises.

•BORZA www.borza.org - Looking for Slovenian business partners?Youareinvitedtoenteroffersandrequests,aswellasseekpartnersviaaB2Bdatabase.

•INVESTSLOVENIA www.investslovenia.org - All you need to knowaboutSloveniaasalocationforaninvestmentproject.

Ifyouareinterestedinproducts,services,jointventures,technologytransfer or new green-field investment, expert personnel from JAPTIandtheCCIS canputyouintouchwithanygoodsorserviceprovider.

TheCCIS(www.gzs.si;[email protected])andJAPTI(www.investslovenia.org;[email protected])actasyourinitialpartnersinSloveniaaswellastherepre-sentativeofficesofJAPTIabroad(www.investslovenia.org/about_us),thekeythatcanhelpyouunlockthedoor tosuccess.TheycanalsoprovideyouwithinformationonvisitsofSlovenianbusinessmenandtrademissionstoyourowncountry,andatthesametimeassistyouinmakingcontactsandestablishingyourbusinessinSlovenia.

Key Partners

Looking for a business partner?

Visit www.sloveniapartner.com

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AnumberofSloveniancompanieshaveexcelledasregardsinnovationand the provision of superior technical solutions right across thetelecommunicationsandITsectors.Suchisnotmerelyareferencetoindividualprojectsbuttoenterprisesthatareplayingaleadingroleinthedevelopment of technologies and solutions on theworld stage;theyarealso-bywayoftheirendeavours-ofkeysignificanceinthedesignofstrategiesandthedevelopmentofcontemporarytrendsininfo-technology.

ThenetworkanddatastoragesolutionsdevelopedbytheSlovenianenterprisesareappliedbycompaniestheworldover,includingsuchprestigiousnamesasAlcatel,Hewlett-Packard,Unisys,CiscoandBritish Telecom,and thus they featureascritical leadingplayersas regardstheir respective market niches. Indeed, Southeastern Europe as awholeisparticularlystrongasregardstheprovisionofITcomponentsolutionsaswellastherelatedservices.

ThoseIT-relatedfieldsinwhichtheSlovenianenterprisesrankamongtheworld’sleadingsolutionprovidersencompass:

•thedesignandimplementationofcommunicationsnetworks•e-banking•databackupsoftware•e-businessapplications•ITserviceprovision•logistics.

Slovenia’s two major hardware providers are:

•AGBLAB(www.agblab.com)•Insilica(www.insilica.si)

The major telecommunications enterprises are:

•Iskratel(www.iskratel.si)•Mobitel(www.mobitel.si)•Si.Mobil(www.simobil.si)•TelekomSlovenije(www.telekom.si)•UPCTelemach(www.telemach.si)

Leading IT solution providers include:

•ActualI.T.(www.actual-it.si)•HermesSoftLab(www.hermes-softlab.com)•Marand(www.marand.si)•S&THermesPlus(www.hermes-plus.si)•Sinfonika(www.sinfonika.si)•SmartCom(www.smart-com.si)•SRC.SI(www.src.si)

The major exporters in this sector count such multinationals asMicrosoft,IBM,HP,SAPandOracleamongtheirclients.

Information Technology

Innovation and superior technological solutions

www.najdi.si-No.1SearchengineinSlovenia,Photo:Najdi.sid.o.o.

DOX-Console-Time&Attendancetouchscreenwallconsole,Photo:ŠpicaInternationald.o.o.

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LargecompaniesinthefieldofpharmaceuticalsandchemicalshaveplacedSloveniaamongCentralEurope’sleadingcountriesinthissector,andtheirstepsarefollowedbyahostofsmallaudaciousenterprises,workinginsuchspecialistfieldsasbiochips,biochemistry,molecularbiology,geneticengineeringandindustrialbiotechnology.

Slovenia’s leading chemical companies successfully compete onEuropeanandglobalmarkets. In2006 thissectorhadanaggregateincomeof4.3billioneuros,72%ofwhichweregeneratedonforeignmarkets.

Successful R&D and a relatively long tradition of pharmaceuticalsproduction,inconjunctionwiththeconstructionofanumberofnewproduction facilitiesandcommensuratedistributionsystems, singleoutSloveniaasoneofthelargestprovidersofpharmaceuticalsinthebroader region. Two of Slovenia’s largest companies,Krka and Lek,belong to this sector, andexportnearly90%of theirproduction, inaddition to which both have several plants and research facilitiesabroad. Following itsacquisitionbyNovartis in2002,LekbecameamemberoftheSandoz Groupofcompanies.

Leading companies:

•CinkarnaCelje(www.cinkarna.si)•Helios(www.helios.si)•JohnsonControlsNTU(johnsoncontrols.com)•Krka(www.krka.si)•Lek(www.lek.si)•SavaTires(www.sava-tires.si)

Leading research institutions:

•FacultyofChemistryandChemicalEngineering,Maribor(atom.uni-mb.si)•FacultyofChemistryandChemicalTechnology,Ljubljana(www.fkkt.uni-lj.si)•JožefStefanInstitute(www.ijs.si)•NationalInstituteofChemistrySlovenia(www.ki.si)

Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

One of the largest providers of pharmaceuticals in the broader region

Krka'smodernplantfortheproductionofsoliddosageforms-granulationprocedure,Photo:Krkad.d.

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Automotive Sector

Intensive and reliable network of suppliers for global car manufacturers

The automotive sector plays a very significant role in the nationaleconomy. Despite the ongoing relocation of production facilitiesto more distant lands, this sector continues to develop in Europe.Slovenian enterprises are ever more innovation-oriented, they aimto reinforce their competitiveness and create greater added value.Theirinvolvementininternationaldevelopmentpartnershipsisoneoftheprerequisitesof thecompetitiveness that thesecompanieshavecertainlymastered.

Sloveniaannuallymanufacturesover2billioneurosworthofvehiclecomponents,andexportsinthissectorsurpass1.7billioneuros,afigurethatcorrespondstoapproximately8%ofthenation’sgoodsexports.

Themanufacture of vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers coachwork isahighlycompetitivebusiness.Inthissectortheproportionoflabourcostsasregardsvalueaddedismorefavourablethanin-forexample-Austria,ItalyandFrance,andin2006itattainedahighervalueperemployeethananyoftheaforementionedcountries.

RenaulthashadproductioncapacitiesinSloveniasince1972,whiletheassemblyofthenewTwingomodelwasbegunexclusivelyattheRevozplantinNovoMesto.Hidria,amemberofSlovenianSolarandThermalTechnological Platform, provides innovative, ecologically-orientedsolutions for the automotive sector and for the industry of heating,ventilationandair-conditioning.Highqualityandexcellent technicalperformanceisreflectedintheproductsofIskraAvtoelektrika,awell-establishedEuropeanmanufacturerofcomponentsfortheautomotiveand mobile hydraulics industries. Efficient and well respectedcomponentmanufacturersfortheautomotivesectoralsoencompassmany other Slovenian enterprises, such as Unior (www.unior.si) -castings;theTPV Group (www.tpv.si) -carseats,seatframes,punchpressedcomponents;SEP(www.sep.si)–elementsforventilationandairconditioningsystems,windshieldandheadlampwashersystems;TBP (www.tbp.si) – bowden cables; TAB (www.tab.si) – starter andmanyothertypesofbattery.

The Automotive Cluster of Slovenia (www.acs-giz.si) - encompassesvehicleandcomponentmanufacturersthattogetherengenderannualrevenuesintheregionof2.3billioneuros,80%ofwhicharegeneratedon foreign markets. The ACS supports further value enhancementthroughfosteringandpromotingresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesthatengenderevermore-advancedproductsandsystems.

Leading companies:

•AdriaMobil(www.adria-mobil.si)•Akrapovič(www.akrapovic-ai.si)•Cimos(www.cimos.si)•Hidria(www.hidria.si)•IskraAvtoelektrika(www.iskra-ae.com)•Kolektor(www.kolektor.si)•Prevent(www.prevent.si)•Revoz(www.revoz.si)•TCGUnitech(www.unitech.at)•TPV(www.tpv.si)•UniorZreče(www.unior.si)

PedalcontrolsystemforBMW Mini,Photo:Cimosd.d.

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Slovenia’s construction sector witnessed a vigorous renaissanceduringrecentyears,themostremarkableinthehistoryofthecountry.Thevolumeofallworks,bothasregardscivilengineeringinfrastructureprojects(inparticularmotorways,energyfacilitiesandcleaningplants)as well as the construction of commercial and residential facilities,underwent rapidexpansion.Thisupturn in thedomesticsectorcan,to a great degree, be attributed to investment optimism followingSlovenia’s EU accession and the adoption of euro. Concurrently,the operations of Slovenian construction enterprises abroad haveremainedsteadyoverrecentyears,andthelargestforeignmarketsareintheRussianFederationandSoutheasternEurope.Asaconsequenceofthismostrecentimpetustogrowth,thedomesticsectorinparticularhasbeenfacingalabourshortage,whichhasinturnnecessitatedtheemploymentofforeignworkers,alargenumberofwhomhailfromtheBalkanstates.

Arelativelyhighvolumeofinvestmentintotransportinfrastructureisanticipated over the coming years, and newmotorway constructionwillbecomplementedbythemodernisationandupgradeofSlovenia’srail network. Further to this, the energy andenvironmentprotectionsectorswillalsoremainofimmenseimportance.Asregardstheprivatesector,thefavourabletrendofinvestmentintoalltypesofcommercialcapacities-inparticulartourism,processingindustriesandtrade-isexpected to continue, while the construction of housing shall alsocontinue,althoughit'sunlikelytosustainthehighgrowthratesachievedoverrecentyears.AmoreintensepenetrationofthoseforeignmarketsinwhichSloveniancompanieshavealreadyestablishedapresenceisanticipated,whilethoseEUstatesinwhichamoreliberallabourforcemarketexistsarealsoenvisagedasenjoyinggoodpotential.

The establishment of the Construction Sector Development Fund,within the Slovenian Construction Technology Platform (www.sgtp.si), is aimed at the development and co-financing of R&D projectsby Slovenian enterprises. Government support and EU funding isintendedtopromoteandfacilitatesustainable-developmentorientedconstructionandcivilengineeringprojects.

Leading companies:

•Begrad,NovoMesto(www.begrad.si)•CestnopodjetjeLjubljana(www.cp-lj.si)•CGP,NovoMesto(www.cgp.si)•CMCelje(cm-celje.si21.com)•CPM,Maribor(www.cpm.si)•Energoplan,Ljubljana(www.energoplan.si)•Granit,SlovenskaBistrica(www.granit.si)•KraškiZidar,Sežana(www.kraskizidar.si)•Primorje,Ajdovščina(www.primorje.si)•SCT,Ljubljana(www.sct.si)•SGPPomgrad,MurskaSobota(www.sgp-pomgrad.si)•SGPTehnikŠkofjaloka(www.sgp-tehnik.si)•Vegrad,Velenje(www.vegrad.si)

Construction and Civil Engineering

Qualified for the most demanding projects in the field

GrandHotelPrimus,TermePtuj,Photo:SCTd.d.

ConstructionofthenewPediatricClinicinLjubljana,Photo:SCTd.d.

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Logistics and Transport

Integral logistics services with trans-national and global perspectives

Sloveniahaseveryintentionoffurtherpromotingandfosteringresearchendeavoursandtheintroductionofinnovativeandmoreenvironment-friendlyservicesinthefieldoflogisticsandtransport,bywayofwhichthissectorshallmakeitscontributiontofulfilmentoftherequirementsof the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, much effort has been investedintothecreationofanadequatelegislativeframework,togetherwithother provisions and standards thatwill ensure the implementationofbestpracticeaswellasmulti-andbi-lateralagreements.AllofthisshallprovideefficientoperationalcontrolaswellasallowSlovenianprovidersoflogisticsservicestomeetinternationalrequirementsandthussuccessfullypenetrateandcompeteinforeignmarkets.

Slovenia is located at the intersection of the fifth and tenth pan-European transport corridors. Although this country is by nomeansdenselypopulated, themagnitudeof itsmotorwaynetwork isabovethe European average,while thePort of Koper, at the northernmostreachoftheMediterranean,providestheshortestmaritimetransitroutebetweenthecountriesofCentralEuropeandthecrucialmarketsoftheMiddleandFarEast.OperatedbythelogisticssystemproviderLuka Koper,theportiscontinuingtogrowanddevelop,whileitsoperationsnowextendtoencompassanewinlandterminalatSežana.Luka Koper iscurrentlyinvestingsome83millioneurosinthemodernisationandexpansionofitsport-relatedfacilitiesandinfrastructure.

The further development of the market economy, and evermore-fierce competition, also require the optimisation of storage andwarehousing facilities with respect to information technology andlogisticsoperations.Thiswillbeachievedthroughtheimplementationofinnovativeprivatecapitalinvestmentschemesthatshallcreatenewaswellasmoderniseexistingterminalfacilities,bothinlandaswellasatSlovenia’ssea-andair-ports.

Over the next decade Ljubljana’s Jože Pučnik Airport, operated byAerodrom Ljubljana, will expand its infrastructure and increasethroughput, both within and beyond the European continent, tobecomealeadingproviderandregionalhubforbothpassengerandcargotraffic.

Competitionintheprovisionofintegratedlogisticsserviceswithtrans-national and global perspectives is also being promoted, as is co-operationbetweenindustryandcarriersinthemanagementofsupplychains.ThenewlyestablishedFacultyofLogisticsinthetownofCeljeisyetanotherstepforwardinthedevelopmentofthisparticularfield.

Leading companies:

•BTC(www.btc.si)•Eurotek(www.eurotek.si)•Intereuropa(www.intereuropa.si)•JožePučnikAirport(www.lju-airport.si)•LukaKoper-PortofKoper(www.luka-kp.si)•SlovenskeŽeleznice-SlovenianRailways(www.slo-zeleznice.si)•ViatorVektor(www.viator-vektor.com)

Newpassengersterminal,Photo:AerodromLjubljanad.d.

PortofKoper,afullserviceportandlogisticsproviderservingCentralEurope,Photo:LukaKoperd.d.

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EnergysupplyinSloveniaisbothstableandreliable,andsuchholdstrueforallsources-fromcrudeoilderivatives,naturalgasandcoal,tocommunalheatingsystemsand theprovisionofelectricalenergythrough the national grid network. Indeed, the quality of SlovenianenergysupplyiscomparabletoanyotherEuropeanUnionstate.

The energy picture of Slovenia indicates that in 2007 the primarysourcesrequiredwillincreasebysome2.5percenton2006levelsandamountto314.3pJ(petajoules),whileenergyusage–i.e.consumptionof electrical power, as well as solid, liquid and gaseous fuels – isexpectedtoriseby2.6%.

Theuseofprimaryenergysourcesisconstantlyincreasing,andSloveniaistoamajordegreedependentonenergyimports(oilandgas),whichcovermorethan50percentofallprimaryenergysourcesneeds.

Slovenian companies engaged in the energy sector contribute littleunderone-tenthoftotalnationalrevenues,andgenerate6.1percentofaggregatevalueadded.Electricalenergyprovisionaccountsfor45percentoftotalenergysectorrevenues,andheadsthelist;electricityisfollowedbymotorvehiclefuels(over40percent),thesupplyofgas,theproductionofprimemovers(coalmining)anddistrictcommunalheatingservices.

Congruent with the EU policy, Slovenia is increasingly pursuing theuseof renewableenergy resourcesaimedatdecreasing relianceonnon-renewableenergyintheprimaryenergybalance.Twelvepercentofenergyconsumption in2010shallbe fromrenewables,bywayofwhichwecanexpecttheeverfurtherpromotionastotheefficientuseof energy, togetherwith amore intensive exploitation of renewablesourcesofenergyoverthecomingyears.

Leading companies in the energy sector:

•ElektroLjubljana(www.elektro-ljubljana.si)•ELES(www.eles.si)•EnergetikaLjubljana(www.energetika-lj.si)•GenEnergija(www.gen-energija.si)•Geoplin(www.geoplin.si)•Geoplinplinovodi(www.geoplin-plinovodi.si)•HoldingSlovenskeElektrarne(www.hse.si)•NuklearnaElektrarnaKrško-KrškoNuclearPowerPlant(www.nek.si)•Petrol(www.petrol.si)•PremogovnikVelenje-VelenjeCoalmine(www.rlv.si)•TermoelektrarnaŠoštanj-ŠoštanjThermalPowerPlant(www.te-sostanj.si)

Energy Supply

Stable and reliable energy supply

662MWŠoštanjthermalpowerplant,Photo:TermoelektrarnaŠoštanjd.o.o.

Velenjemine,producing4.27milliontonsofcoalperannum,Photo:PremogovnikVelenjed.d.

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Industrial Design and a Spirit of Innovation

Recipients of a number of prestigious awards

Despitethelongtraditionofindustrialdesignpromotion-achievementsarereviewedbySlovenia’sinternationalBiennial of Industrial Design,theInformationandDocumentationCentreforDesignattheCCIS,aswellastheMesec Oblikovanja(MonthofDesign)eventheldannuallysince2003-mostSlovenianenterprisescontinuetopaytoolittleattentiontoconsideredandwell-executeddesignmanagement,or the roleofdesigninthedevelopmentofproducts,servicesandprocesses.

Thissaid,however,therearecompaniesthataremajorexceptionstothisgeneralrule.Basedondecadesofongoingprofessionalworkbyitsdesigncentre,Gorenje(www.gorenje.com)hasbeengrantedanumberofinternationalawardsfortheexcellenceofitsproducts.Mostofthisnation’s sports goodsmanufacturers, including companies such asElan(www.elansports.com),havelongbeenfullyawarethatthebestway to success is through design and innovation, while this selectbandof internationallyacclaimed firmshasalsobeen joinedby theSlovenianfootwearmanufacturerAlpina (www.alpina.si)

Therearealsoanumberofsmallandmediumsizedenterprises,suchas Intra Lighting (www.intra.si),Seaway (www.seaway.si),andTrimo(www.trimo.si), that have placed special emphasis on design andinnovationandareverysuccessfulon foreignmarkets. Indeed,yearafter year their accomplishments are now being followed by a newgenerationofdesign-orientedcompanies.

Some International Awards

•Seaway-2002Yacht Design Award; -2007Boat of the Year in Europe, USA Boat of the Year (Salona37)

•Gorenje-2002ICSID Industrial Design Excellence Award(Touch the Future);-2005Red Dot Design Award,Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen(washinganddryingmachine);-2006ICSID Industrial Design Excellence Award (Pininfarina) -2007Plus x Award™ (fridge-freezer)

•Alpina-2002Gold Medal - BIO 18(Alpina XCRacingCLfootwear)

•Elan-2006Ispo European Ski Award; -2006Medal of Excellence -2007Red Dot Design Award

•Kolpa-2007Red Dot Design Award (YOUrangeofproducts)

BathroomfurnishingsbyKolpa,recipientofa2007Red Dot Award,Photo:Kolpad.d.

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Integrated into global financialmarkets,Sloveniaoffers a full rangeof banking and other financial intermediary services in support ofbusinessoperationsthroughouttheworld.Europe’sleadingbankinggroups enjoy numerous capital interests in Slovenia’s financialsector,whilethe24bankingfirmsactiveinthemarketvaryasregardstheir size, organisationandexperience in local, regional and globalcommerce. Slovenia’s financial sector is very competitive, and welladaptedtothecontinuouslyevolvingenvironmentinwhichitoperates.Themostsuccessfulandsmoothadoptionof theeuroasanationalcurrencyofSloveniainJanuary2007,furtherconfirmedthecapacitiesandefficiencyofastrongbankingsectorwhichtodayemployssome11,800 people. The national umbrella organisation embracing thebankingsector - theBank Association of Slovenia (www.zbs-giz.si) -is responsible formaintainingthehigheststandards inthe industry,and was instrumental in the adoption of the euro as well as otherinnovationssuchasSEPAandBASELII.

Slovenia is also a leading regional centre for the insurance sector,andasregardsthevalueofpremiumpercapita it isrankedseventhamong the sixty most promising insurance markets in the world.Furthermore, the provision of fund management services haswitnessed constant growth and development over the past decade.Themarket capitalisationof securities tradedat theLjubljana Stock ExchangeisequivalenttohalfthenationalGDP,whiletheproportionof foreign portfolio investors active in thismarket has been on theincreaseoflate.Some250dematerializedsecurities-shares,bonds,investmentfundsandtreasurybills-aretradedelectronicallyontheLjubljanaStockExchange.SecuritiestradingisconductedthroughtheBTS system,whichisitselfsupportedandfacilitatedbytheBorzaNETinformationsystem.

Foreignfinancialinstitutionsarefreetoestablishtheirownoperationsin Slovenia, and from here they can also convenientlymonitor andservice other countries in the region. Slovenia’s financial and civilengineeringmarketsarewelldeveloped,thusimplementingeventhelargestandmostcomplexofinfrastructureprojectsisnotaproblem.

Leading institutions and companies:

•AbankaVipa(www.abanka.si)•KDGroup(www.kd-group.si)•LjubljanskaBorza-LjubljanaStockExchange(www.ljse.si)•NLB(www.nlb.si)•NovaKBM(www.nkbm.si)•SIDBanka–SlovenianExportandDevelopmentBank(www.sid.si)•ZavarovalnicaTriglav-TriglavInsuranceCompany(www.zav-triglav.si)

Financial Services

A full range of banking, financial and other such intermediary services

LjubljanaStockExchange,Photo:LjubljanaStockExchange

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Commitment to the Environment

Increasing attention to environmental protection

Responsibilitytowardstheenvironmentissomethingthatenterprisesare ever more incorporating into their business objectives andstrategies;itisalsoafieldinwhichEuropeisleadingtheway.Foritspart,Sloveniaiscommittedtoenvironmentalprotectionandpaysparticularattentiontotheinvolvementofthecommunityinenvironment-relatedconcerns, as well as to informing, educating and increasing publicawarenessastothepertinentissues.Themostrecentregulationsareparticularlyaimedatthepreventionofpollutionatsource,reductionin the use of energy, raw materials and natural resources, as wellas integral management of the various impacts that commercialoperationsinflictuponthenaturalecology.Allsuchprescriptionsareintendedtoengendernewattitudes,enhancedresponsivenessaswellastheintroductionof improvedeconomicallyviablesolutionstotheproblemsthathumankindisbeingfacedwith.

Companies express their commitment to environmental protectionthrough compliance with ISO 14001 environment managementstandards and the EMAS regulation, as well as through ever moreintensiveimplementationofcorporatesocialresponsibility.

Thedemandsof the environment today require ever-newmeasures,technologies and services, as well as specialist knowledge andskills.Thus theactualnumberofactivities,whichareeitherdirectlyor indirectly involved inenvironmentalprotection is rapidlygrowing.The development of such operations is a reflection and expressionof changes in the approach towards environmental issues, whichencompass everything from cleaner modes of production to end-of-pipe technologies. Those companies which provide products orservicesinoneormoreenvironment-preservationrelatedspherescanregister in theCCIS special e-catalogue (www.gzs.si/katalogi)whichalreadyencompassesover500suchenterprises.

ThemainseweragetreatmentworksinLjubljana,Photo:SCTd.d.

WashingmachineproductionatGorenje,thefirstEMASregisteredcompanyinSlovenia,Photo:Gorenjed.d.

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Winter Fun

Slovenia’swintersportsresorts-suchasKranjskaGoraintheJulianAlps and Rogla on the PohorjeMassif - are very appealing to bothdownhillandcross-countryskiersaswellassnow-boarders.Insummerthesesameresortsbecomeafavouritedestinationforcyclists,walkersandclimbers.

Azure Waters

TheSlovenianAdriatic coast is a great base for sailing, surfing andscuba-divingtrips,whereasthewildwatersoftheSoča(Isonzo)andotherAlpineriversprovideexcitementandachallengetothekayakersandrafters.Thecountry’scleanlakesandrivers-thecharactersofwhichdiffer greatly fromonepart of the country to another - attractmanysportsfishermen.Medicinalthermalandmineralsprings,particularlycharacteristictonortheasternSlovenia,arealsothesettingforpopularspasandhealthresorts.Mostofthecountry’slargerlakes,includingthelargestone-Bohinj-andmostfamous-Bled-arelocatedinAlpineSlovenia and the vicinity of the Triglav National Park, which is thelargestareaofprotectedterritoryinthecountry.

Riding the Wind

Insearchofarushofadrenalin?Ever thoughtofparagliding?Avastarrayofpara-andhang-glidingclubs,ballooningassociations,aerialsportscentresandaerodromes-suchasLescenearLakeBled-offerallsortsofpossibilitiestotheintrepid.

Above Ground and Underground

ThereareequestrianclubsalloverSlovenia-themostfamousofwhichistheLipicastudfarm,homeofthefamouswhiteLipizzaner horses.Atthesametime,themountainandotherhikingtrailscriss-crossingthelandarealsofairlyubiquitous,whilealmostthewholeofSloveniaisfabulouscyclingcountry:onecantakeashorttriporembarkuponamoredemandingspeciallymarkedmountainroute.Andthenthere’stheKarstregion,whichhaslentitsnametoareasofsuchterraintheworldover.Hereyoucanfindthousandsofcaves,potholesandabysses,andmanyareopentothepublic.Themostpopularandworld-renownedarethoseatPostojna,thoughmanyvisitorsarealsofascinatedbythebeautyoftheŠkocjanCaves,whichareaUNESCOworldheritagesite.

A Holiday Away

SkiingonKanin,Photo:B.Kladnik,STB

Cycleracing,MostnaSoči,Photo:A.Fevžer,STB

RaftingontheSoča,Photo:J.Skok,STB

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Keeping Fit and Healthy

Sloveniantourist resortsandinparticularthespas -suchasČatež,Rogaška Slatina, and Dolenjske Toplice - offer a wide variety oftreatments as well as amenities for numerous sports, recreation,andsocialactivities.Exerciseandfitnessfacilities,togetherwiththeincreasinglypopularwellnesscentres,havebecomepartoftheregularofferofSlovenianhotelsandhealthresorts.

A Hole in One

Oneoftheincreasinglypopularwaystoactivelyspendfreetime-bothbySlovenesaswellasforeignvisitors-isgolf,whichcametothislandlessthanseventyyearsagowhenthefirstgolfcoursewaslaidoutnearBled.TodaySloveniacanboasteight18-holecoursesandtwo9-holecourses.

Great Food and Fine Wine

A whole universe of culinary delights awaits one in Slovenia’straditionalinnsandrestaurants,andmanyofthesearealsoavailablein thiscountry’shotelsaswellas thenumerous farmsthatcater forvisitors.Nationaldishesofnoteencompasssuchdelicaciesasštruklji, gibanicarouladeswiththeirrichassortmentoffillings,potica,andthefamouspršut (prosciutto)hamnaturallycuredbytheborawind.AndaccompanyingallthesegreatdishesanddelicaciesareexcellentwinesfromSlovenia’sthreedistinctwinegrowingregions.

GolfatBled,Photo:A.Fevžer,STB

Slovenianspecialities,Photo:B.Kladnik,STB

WinterdivingatBohinjlake,Photo:Bobo,STB

Publishedby:JAPTI,PublicAgencyforEntrepreneurshipandForeignInvestments

Contents,Editorial,DesignandLayout:ChamberofCommerceandIndustryofSlovenia

EnglishEdition:MelianTranslations

CoverPhotos:ArchivesofCankarjevDom,STB;Bobo,STB;Najdi.sid.o.o.

Printedby:UtripBrežice

PublishedandprintedinSlovenia,September2007

Theauthenticityofthestatisticalinformationprovidedhereinistheresponsibilityoftheattributedsource.

JAPTI,PublicAgencyforEntrepreneurshipandForeignInvestmentsDunajska156,SI-1000LjubljanaTel:+38615891870,Fax:+38615891885E-mail:[email protected],www.sloveniapartner.com