More efficient investment of European funds into research, development and innovation

At the final, 14^th presentation and discussion of guidelines of Strategy of smart specialisation, organised by CCIS in the middle of July, participants from the economy sector, institutions of knowledge and development, the public sector and state administration agreed with the proposal of priority areas, which must be the focus of investment into development, research and innovations in the market.

Public tribune on economic growth and new jobs

With the goal of proactive, constructive and coordinated aid to the government in the identification and implementation of key measures for Slovenia’s exit from the crisis, on 6 August CCIS organised a public tribune on the growth of economy and new jobs, at which economic representatives discussed the proposals of priority measures for the re-launch of the economy.

CCIS – Chamber of Agricultural and Food Enterprises at AGRA 2013

On 29 August, the AGRA Fair concluded in Gornja Radgona, at which in the joint exhibition space of “Kupujem slovensko” (I buy Slovenian) the members of CCIS – Chamber of Agricultural and Food enterprises successfully presented themselves with their trademarks. The fair was accompanied by a rich programme aimed at professionals and numerous business meetings and product tastings.

Slovenian – Russian high tech conference

On 2 September the 1^st Slovenian-Russian high tech conference, organised by the Slovenian-Russian business council, took place. The Conference was oriented towards the presentation of options for strengthening economic cooperation between Slovenia and Russia in the field of high technology and the potential of both countries in this field.

Business meetings of entrepreneurs from the former Yugoslavia

On 6 September, during the EUROBASKET European Basketball Championship 2013, we organised a regular meeting of the presidents of Chambers of Commerce from the area of the former Yugoslavia. At this opportunity we also hosted representatives of the economy sector.

Economic delegation to Ukraine

The public agency SPIRIT Slovenia and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the RS in Kiev, will organise an outgoing economic delegation to Ukraine, Kiev, from 15 to 17 September, which will be led by the President of CCIS, Mr. Samo Hribar Milič, MA.

17 September: Innovation day

The CCIS award for best innovations on the national level is the highest recognition of innovative achievements of Slovenian companies. At this year’s Innovation day we will already present the 11^th national awards for best innovations. The event will commence with the conference entitled Innovation 2013, where we will focus on intangible assets with a special emphasis of intellectual property and investments. The presentation of CCIS national awards for best innovations 2013 will commence at 2:30 pm. Keynote speakers will be Borut Pahor, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, and Samo Hribar Milič, President of CCIS.

19 September: Panel discussion with a round table: Why is Croatia more successful in persecuting grey economy?

Grey economy has become a national sport in Slovenia. It eats away at the national economy, causes unfair competition and loss of income from the public purse. Why are we lacking the political will for efficient prosecution of all forms of grey economy, undeclared work and employment? How was the prosecution of grey economy handled in neighbouring Croatia? What are the right steps, which should be taken in Slovenia? Where do most tax evasions occur; where does most undeclared work and employment occur? Why doesn’t the State, simultaneously with efficient prosecution of grey economy, also decrease taxes? This will be explored at the panel discussion with a round table.

24 and 25 September:Business meeting in Turkey

Within the framework of the European programme of support of internationalisation of small and medium enterprises “Enterprise Europe Network”, you are invited to attend the business meeting as part of the “Match4Industry Brokerage Event" in Izmit (province Kocaeli, 130 km east of Istanbul, at the Sea of Marmara).

1 and 2 October:Conference Best practice day 2013

The Department of users of continuous improvement systems, which operates within the framework of the Electronics and Electrical Industry Association, organises the conference entitled “Best practice day 2013”. The Conference is aimed at the presentation of best practices in the area of continuous improvement in companies, education in the field of implementing continuous improvement in companies and promotion of endeavours for operational and business excellence in companies.

2-3 October: Economic delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zenica

The public agency SPIRIT Slovenia and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, will organise an outgoing economic delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2 to 3 October. The delegation will travel during the official visit of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Janko Veber, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

4 October: Operation of European companies in China

The directors of Slovenian companies with branches or representative offices in China are kindly invited to attend an interactive meeting, which is organised on the occasion of the visit of the President of the EUCCC (European Union Chamber of Commerce in China) Davide Cucino with leading co-workers responsible for the field of automobile components and logistics, in Slovenia.

16 October: Panel discussion: Concrete and sustainable

With the 1^st Slovenian panel discussion on the subject of “Concrete and sustainable construction” we wish to promote the consideration of the possible contribution of concrete as a significant construction material in the sense of sustainable approaches in construction. "Concrete carriageways" was chosen as the first subject. The panel discussion will, with the aid of experts from European countries with long-term positive experiences in the field of concrete carriageways, present their advantages and drawbacks.

21-23 October: Economic delegation to China

The public agency SPIRIT Slovenia and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, in cooperation with CCIS, organise an outgoing economic delegation to China (Chengdu). Within the framework of the delegation, companies will attend a business event entitled “EU-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair VIII” and B2B meetings.

12-16 November: Delegation to Vietnam, Myanmar and to Thailand

Small and medium enterprises are invited to participate in the so-called mission for growth, a delegation of EU companies under the leadership of Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, to Vietnam, Myanmar and to Thailand. Within the scope of the visit, a series of B2B meetings in the primary business centres of the mentioned countries will be organised for participants.

5 September: Comments: Property Tax:We are not giving in, even a square inch

We are informing the Government of RS and the Ministry of Finance: Do not burden the economy with property tax any more that it is already burdened with the Compensation for the use of building sites. We demand a new proposal and new simulations.

2 September: Comments: Proposals put forward by Unions are irresponsible and are not sustainable

The CCIS finds that today’s proposals of the Unions for exit from the crisis in reality unfortunately do not hold up. Without the urgently required reforms, there will be neither new jobs nor decreased unemployment. Without reforms we will increase the debt, which we have been doing for the past 5 years.

30 August: Comments: Slovenia has cholesterol, but nobody prescribes a diet and exercise

The CCIS again demands serious reforms. “Hidden mini crisis tax”, which the Government of RS adopted at its meeting today, should not be introduced until the key reforms are ready for implementation. For example, healthcare is still increasing losses, but no reform is in sight.

27 August: Appeal: Enough games with State enterprises!

State property in Slovenia is worth more than EUR 10 billion. Its yield is modest. This is primarily due to the fact that the State is not a competent owner. It has no real goals in managing its property. In addition, in managing this property it lacks professionalism and transparency. The recent events in Luka Koper indicate that corporative management in Slovenia has reached a new low. We demand urgent termination of such practice and responsible management of taxpayers’ property.

19 August: Comments: 15 August milestone

From 15 August onwards, creditors and debtors may, in accordance with the amendment of the Financial Operations, Insolvency Proceedings and Compulsory Dissolution Act, propose the start of insolvency proceedings on the basis of new contested assumption, i.e. if the company has its business account blocked for 60 days or more. The start of the insolvency proceedings on the basis of the new assumption will not occur automatically; rather, the creditors or the debtor will have to, as currently, propose bankruptcy, while the debtor has an opportunity to prove that it is solvent and capable of paying its debts.

13 August: Press Release:Oxygen for the economy

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia has, in alliance with 5 partner organisations, forwarded to the Government of RS proposals of urgent measures for increasing competitiveness and economic growth. This document will form the basis for the meeting with the President of the Government of RS, Alenka Bratušek, MSc, which will take place at the end of August. The document also includes numerous proposed measures from Agenda 46+ and AgendaMG. These concern common standpoints of key economic organisations, which due to extremely difficult economic conditions in Slovenia, propose to the Government of RS a turnabout towards new economic policy.

1 August: Press Release:If we pay, we want to participate in decisions!

The economy contributes too much to remain quiet now; over EUR 884 million of paid contributions by employers into the public healthcare budget, and we have almost no say in healthcare reform. We expect that we will, prior to the drafting of legislation amendments, which should reform the healthcare system and health insurance, decide what we in Slovenia wish to change in this system and which direction its further development will take and that we, as employers, will significantly contribute to its drafting and implementation.

25 July: Press Release: CCIS questionnaire: Economy unhappy with Government’s moves

From 15 August onwards, creditors and debtors may, in accordance with the amendment of the Financial Operations, Insolvency Proceedings and Compulsory Dissolution Act, propose the start of insolvency proceedings on the basis of new contested assumption, i.e. if the company has its business account blocked for 60 days or more. The start of the insolvency proceedings on the basis of the new assumption will not occur automatically; rather, the creditors or the debtor will have to, as currently, propose bankruptcy, while the debtor has an opportunity to prove that it is solvent and capable of paying its debts.

 Slovenia is lagging behind the level of the EU and the Euro-zone. In total, in the first half of 2013, Slovenian GDP decreased by 3.2%. GDP decreased also in the 1st and 2nd quarter of this year (seasonally adjusted for 0.5 and 0.3%). The interim decrease was thus 4.6% in the 1st quarter and 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. It still remains worrying that, among the EU countries, a more significant quarter-annual GDP decrease in the 2nd quarter was recorded only by Cyprus; in most countries the GDP increased when compared to the 1st quarter. Despite the current good signal, the EU and the Euro-zone are still recording a decrease of economic growth (EA-0.9% and EU28-0.5%) when compared to last year's half-year. The OECD and the ECB now expect that the GDP of the European monetary union will this year decrease by 0.6%. The EU is significant for Slovenian exporters; the value of their share of these markets represents 68.6% of the total export. The risk of the Euro-zone remains high, and the financial, banking and debt crisis will again deepen. Numerous banks in the Euro-zone remain malnourished in terms of capital and burdened with bad debt loans. Last but not least, all these movements significantly also impact the Slovenian economy.

Slovenia is again lowering its competitiveness. On the WEF scale of global competitiveness for the year 2013, Slovenia lost 6 positions, thus ranking 62nd (among 148 countries).

In August 2013, the annual growth of consumer prices was 2.2%. Exports in July 2013, compared to July 2012, increased by 7% and imports by 2.8%, turnover in retail trade fell by 6.4%, and the value of construction fell in June by 2.5%.

Below you will find some statistical data for Slovenia.