With a rich industrial history, with a traditional openness to the world, with rational economic policies, and with proven economic development, Slovenia is among the most successful countries in transition from socialism to a market economy. It boasts a stable growth of GDP, which now exceeds 10,000 USD per capita. Slovenia also ranks among the countries with the lowest degree of risk. The level of privatization achieved and many other measures have increased the competitiveness of the Slovene economy and the profitability of companies oriented toward business in the European Union. Among the more than 144,000 registered companies in Slovenia, the greatest number are engaged in trade and commerce, followed by industry, services, real estate, construction, and transport and communications. Following independence, small business began to develop intensively, and today more than 90% of Slovenia's companies are classified as small business enterprises. Because of the relative smallness of its own market, the Slovene economy has always been oriented toward export. In 1999, the value of Slovene exports exceeded 8.5 billion USD. The Slovene flow of trade has been largely aimed at the European Union, particularly Germany, Italy, Austria, and France, but in addition, Slovene economic relations are increasingly diverse and along with increasing cooperation with existing partners is oriented toward new markets in the European Union, renewed cooperation with the countries of the former Yugoslavia, and a substantially larger presence in the markets of the United States, the countries of the former Soviet Union, and CEFTA. With individual products, Slovenia has also opened the door to markets outside of Europe in OECD countries. Through their sponsorship, successful Slovene companies are actively supporting the development of Slovene sport and are inseparably linked with the international sports successes of many sport clubs whose members include Slovenia's top athletes, national team members, and Olympians. Slovene athletes have won fifty medals at the Olympic Games and more than 360 medals at World Championship competitions. The best results have been achieved by alpine skiers, track and field athletes, ski jumpers, gymnasts, and rowing and whitewater competitors. Slovene teams have also been successful at European Cups in basketball, volleyball, handball, and most recently in soccer. Slovene dancers have also been regular winners at the highest levels of world competition. A special place among victors is held by Slovene mountain climbers who have written themselves into the history of sport with championship climbs in the Himalayas and of other world-renowned peaks.