By attending today's Sino-Slovenian business conference, the Prime Minister Janez Janša continued his official visit to the People's Republic of China. In the morning he met Yu Ping, Vice-President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to discuss trade between the two countries. They agreed that at this moment it does not reflect the actual interest of Slovenia's economy in the Chinese market.
(Photo: Tina Kosec/Bobo)
The strong business delegation travelling with the PM also proves that interest is significantly greater. Fifty-five representatives of successful Slovenian companies and institutions from different industries, the environment sector, IT, tourism, logistics, and the banking and finance sectors.
In his address, the PM stressed that it was encouraging that individual Slovenian companies had been operating successfully in the Chinese market for many years. Tomorrow's opening of the office of the Slovenian economy in Shanghai indicates that companies are determined to increase their presence. This is to help gradual efforts towards more balanced trade and a greater level of mutual investment.
(Photo: Tina Kosec/Bobo)
According to PM Janez Janša, potential Chinese investors are very welcome in Slovenia. Its good geographical position, highly qualified workforce, developed infrastructure, excellent business links with regional markets and high quality of life had attracted more than 6 billion euros worth of investment by the end of 2006. Foreign investors are most interested in financial and business services, trade, telecommunications, information and communication technology, logistics, the entertainment industry and manufacturing. The PM is convinced that Chinese investors will find interesting opportunities in some of the 46 companies where the government is selling its share.
One of the unexploited potentials in economic cooperation is joint presentation in third markets, particularly where Slovenia or China have competitive advantages. Slovenian companies are particularly established in the Western Balkans. With their experience and connections they could provide support to Chinese investors in conquering these markets or strengthening their presence there.
(Photo: Tina Kosec/Bobo)
In the afternoon, PM Janez Janša will be received by the President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Wu Bangguo.
