Slovenian and Greek Presidents address businesspeople from both countries

Ljubljana, 18.11.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Dr Karlos Papoulias, took part in the Slovenian-Greek Business Conference and addressed the participants.

President Türk said in his address that despite strengthened economic co-operation in previous years, the opportunities available in the two economies have still not been sufficiently exploited. According to him, opportunities for joint working may be exploited in the areas of trade and investment in energy, renewable energy sources, information technology, pharmacy, tourism, agriculture and banking.

Dr Türk pointed out that Slovenia sees its future as an increasingly important regional logistics and distribution centre. He also called for the joint participation of Slovenian and Greek companies in markets and in the region.

President Türk went on to discuss financial and business services, trade and telecommunications as the most attractive industries for foreign investors. Among industrial sectors, he highlighted the chemical and paper industry, plastic products, machines, equipment, metal products and vehicles.

President Papoulias emphasised that Slovenia has been an extremely attractive economic and business environment in recent years and, because of its strategic geographical position, improvements in its macroeconomic situation and good infrastructure, it is now a centre of services and business interests.

Mr Papoulias added that in the past few years Greece has also recorded significant economic development and progress, which has added to the importance of Greek economic involvement in the Balkans. The fact that both countries in the region play an important economic role is, according to him, an important contact point for Slovenia and Greece, which could provide a basis for the development of bilateral co-operation between the countries.