Australia and Slovenia's economies move a step closer Following the opening of the Slovenian House and a Slovenian gostilna in the heart of Sydney, awareness for Slovenia has been raised in today's business conference held at the New South Wales State Chamber of Commerce. Early indicators suggest that a widening in co-operation between Australia and Slovenia in the fields of economy, culture and tourism is expected. Particular importance to the event was given by the presence of Slovenian President Milan Kucan. In his speech the President Kucan highlighted, above all, the export opportunities offered by the Slovenian economy and invited the Australian audience to make use of Slovenia's outstanding geographical position at the centre of Europe, its stable economic and political situation and the experience and maturity of the Slovenian business community, which is already well acquainted with the processes of globalisation. "Slovenian companies are concentrating on increasing their competitiveness and the state does all it can to assist them in this, primarily in reaching new markets and increasing their market share in already existing markets. For Slovenia, Australia means great economic potential, a powerful country with high-level technology which provides big challenges and great opportunities," said President Kucan. On behalf of the Australians, Katie Lahey, Chief Executive of the NSW State Chamber of Commerce, greeted the conference and directly called on Australian business people to raise their awareness of the advantages the Slovenian economy has to offer. Considerable interest was created by Gerry Harvey, president and co-owner of the multinational retailer, the Harvey Norman Group, which from the whole of Europe has chosen to invest in Slovenia. The business conference was attended by approximately 100 people of whom 50 were Australian business people interested in working with Slovenian business. The situation within Slovenia and its economy was discussed by the Honorary Consul General to Australia, Alfred Breznik, Jozko Cuk (president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia), Tatjana Lesjak (Government Public Relations and Media Office), Matej Kovac (Office for Economic Promotion of Slovenia and Foreign Investments), Iztok Altbauer (Slovenian Tourist Board) and Chargé d'affaires Helena Drnovsek Zorko as well as the invited representatives of Slovenian companies, hosted by Ms. Drnovsek Zorko. Additional Information: Slovenian House - Sydney Tel: +51 2 9263 5947 sloveniainsydney@hotmail.com