20.01.2010
Times change, values don't
Solid virtues of Slovenians are well illustrated by a high share of gross savings rate in gross disposable income, right after the Swiss and the Germans, aversion to excessive risk and respect for time-tested values. These virtues have been attracting discerning foreign investors to Slovenia since late 1970s and have got it the invitation to the most prestigious European and global integrations: EU, euro area, NATO… Since the OECD’s invitation to join the organisation in 2007, Slovenia has met all of the criteria for membership: transparency in the adoption of new legislation, public debate on the changes, appeal procedures, public procurement procedures, non-discriminatory practice and the use of regulations that present the fewest possible obstacles to trade. Slovenia’s progress in the area of international coordination of national regulations, intellectual property and export loans has been commendable paving the way to full membership.
Proverbial Slovenian prudence has kept the country’s financial system from fuelling rapid expansion by financial integration. Consequently, a blow dealt by the global economic downturn has not been exacerbated by credit booms and over-borrowing during “fat years”. The country’s high economic growth and financial integration have been well balanced helping to mitigate the economic setback of Slovenia’s overreliance on exports and help create a more diverse industrial base.
Slovenia’s geostrategic position at the cross-roads of transport routes, well-developed ITC and physical infrastructure, technological networks and platforms, centres of excellence and clusters as evidence of a high-level innovation activity, make it a location of choice for many types of businesses. Strong commercial contacts across Eastern and South-eastern Europe, a deep-sea port and the extensive transport network give easy access to some 500 million consumers in Europe. Foreign investors can serve the Western Balkans at reasonable business costs thanks to Slovenia’s well-educated and internationally savvy workforce.
By helping workers to compete in the global market, Slovenian government is supporting employers so that they may retain jobs and increase productivity. The national strategic priorities are designed to support entrepreneurship, give impetus to business internationalisation, and encourage SME innovation and youth entrepreneurship.
They are already here: Bosch Siemens, Danfoss, Deloitte, Goodyear, GKN Driveline, Grammer Automotive, Grieshaber Logistik, Gruppo Bonazzi, Henkel, IBM, Intesa Sanpaolo, Johnson Controls, Microsoft, Mobilkom, Sandoz Group (Novartis), Oracle, Palfinger, Renault, S&T, Schefenacker, Sun Roller, Société Générale, Wolford…