| Slovenia is one of the most prosperous countries in | | | | opportunities waiting to be tapped by the Indian |
| Central Europe. Subsequent to its affiliation with the | | | | SMEs in Slovenia. |
| European Union in 2004, the country has moved | | | | Some of the potential areas of mutual cooperation |
| towards privatisation. The Slovenian government has | | | | and investment are food processing, pharmaceuticals, |
| also undertaken a number of structural reforms to | | | | textiles and auto component industries. Furthermore, |
| boost the economy and generate employment | | | | Indian SMEs can forge alliances and undertake joint |
| opportunities. | | | | ventures with their Slovenian counterparts engaged in |
| It managed to achieve a significant growth rate of | | | | fields like metal processing, biotechnology and realty. |
| 4.3% in 2008. As a result of these concerted efforts, | | | | Promoting trade and investment |
| several Indian SMEs are seen entering the Slovenian | | | | In view of the abundant trade and investment |
| market. | | | | opportunities that can be explored by India and |
| Major industries in Slovenia include electronics, | | | | Slovenian firms for mutual benefit, the governments |
| automobiles, textiles, wood products, ferrous | | | | of both sides are taking a number of initiatives to |
| metallurgy, machine tools and electric power | | | | boost economic cooperation between the two |
| equipment. In addition, industries such as | | | | countries. |
| pharmaceuticals, paper and furniture provide a major | | | | An intergovernmental organisation called International |
| thrust to the Slovenian economy. | | | | Centre for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE), which |
| India is one of the most important Asian trading | | | | seeks to promote bilateral trade between India and |
| partners of this mountainous republic in central | | | | Slovenia, has been setup. The organisation conducts |
| Europe. It is Slovenia's chief exporter of leather, | | | | studies to explore business avenues that can benefit |
| coffee, linen, alloys, antibiotics and automotive parts. | | | | SMEs from both countries. |
| While, Slovenia exports stainless steel, plastic | | | | In recent times, the Indian and Slovenian |
| products, paper, electric equipments and heterocyclic | | | | governments have been deliberating on signing a |
| compounds to India. | | | | Memorandum of Understanding which would serve as |
| Setting sights on Slovenia | | | | a joint platform to enhance research and |
| A growing number of Indian SMEs looking at | | | | development (R&D) in various areas of the |
| establishing trade linkages in central Europe are finding | | | | manufacturing sector. |
| Slovenia a lucrative destination for long-term growth | | | | Additionally, initiatives are being taken to promote |
| and investment. Slovenia's business-friendly | | | | collaboration between Indian and Slovenian companies |
| environment, strategic location, infrastructural facilities, | | | | in the domains of tourism, education and information |
| low tax regime and government support are some | | | | technology. |
| of the factors working in its favour. | | | | With such measures being implemented by the Indian |
| In addition, Slovenian economy is ranked as one of | | | | and Slovenian governments, Indian SMEs can expect |
| the leading export-oriented countries in the world. | | | | better business prospects and tie-ups with Slovenian |
| Industry experts therefore foresee a plethora of | | | | firms in the near future. |