State

Official name: The Republic of Slovenia
Area: 20 253 km2

Administrative divisions: 136 municipalities and 11 urban municipalities (Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje)

Cities:
Ljubljana (330 000 people), capital and important road and rail hub linking Western to Southeastern Europe
Maribor (135 000 people), one of the principal industrial centers and university towns
Celje (50 239 people), old medieval town, regional administrative center

Population

Population: 1,9 million inhabitants

Ethnic groups:
The vast majority of the population is Slovene (87,9%), Croat (2,8%), Hungarian (0,4 %), Italian (0,2%), Muslims (1,4%), other
Official language: Slovenian, Slavic language
Religion: Roman Catholic (70%), Lutheran (1%), Muslim (1%), atheist (4,3%), other (22,9%)

Currency:

Official currency: Slovene Tolar (SIT)
Exchange rate: 1 EURO = 236,14 SIT (last update: 20.02.03)

Politics

Political system: Parliamentary democracy

President: Janez Drvnošek
Prime Minister: Anton Rop

Political parties:
Liberal Democracy of Slovenia, an advocate of liberal economic policies and large-scale privatisation policies, a center-left party supporting Slovenia’s European integration, enjoying much of the popular support.

Social Democratic Party of Slovenia, right-wing, conservative party. It claims to be social democratic, but it is rather right-ist.

United List of Social Democrats, a social-democratic alliance which includes the former communist party of Slovenia, led by Milan Kucan, former Slovenian president.

Slovene People’s Party, right-of-center, conservative party. The party’s main concern is to slow down Slovenia’s integration into NATO and EU.

New Slovenia-Christian People’s Party, right of center, christian-democratic party. It advocates a fast EU integration.

Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia, a center-left, conservative party. It defends the rights of the growing elderly population in Slovenia.

Slovene National Party, right-wing, nationalist/fascist party
Elections: Next elections for Presidency in 2007
Next elections for Parliament in 2004
Referendum for EU accession in March 2003

Climate

Climate Continental climate in most of the country, Mediterranean climate on the coast, harsh winters and rainy summers in the mountains.
Average temperature Average temperatures range between -2°C - 0°C in January to 19°C - 21°C in July

Time zone

Slovenia is one hour ahead of standard GMT, in the same time belt as most Western European countries. There is no time difference between Belgium/Germany/the Netherlands and Slovenia.

How to get to Slovenia?

By plane

Infrastructure:

Slovenia has a good road infrastructure (436 km of motorway). It is connected by motorway with Venice through Koper and Trieste as well as to Belgrade through Zagreb and to Vienna. Slovenia has a well developed road network, being connected by motorway to Western and Southeastern European capitals. Missing section of motorway are due to be constructed by 2005.

Many international railway connections run through Slovenia, with all necessary links to neighbouring countries. Air traffic is of lesser importance due to the country’s small size, but Ljubljana has regular flight connection to all major European cities. The other two airports are Maribor and Portorož (on the coast).

Koper is the most important port, a road and railway junction as well. Ferry lines connect Slovenia to most important destination in the Mediterranean basin.

Wages:

Average gross wage (2001): 984 EUR

Average gross wage for a manual labourer: 480 - 540 EUR

Average gross wage for economist leaving university: 800-1 000 EUR

Wages differ greatly from one region to another, the highest prices and wages are in Ljubljana and Maribor. Therefore when looking for staff, it is important not to pay exuberant wages, as they will not motivate your local staff at all, but on the other hand beware not to pay too low wages, as they will without doubt demotivate your local staff. Eastwards takes care of your recruitment of local top management, sales and financial management or specialists, and will consult you which wage packages are most suitable for the job responsibilities and place of employment you offer.

Economic information

	2000	2001
Inflation	8,9%	8,6%
Real GDP growth rate (change to previous year)	4,6%	3,0%
GDP per capita	9 800 EUR	10 500 EUR
Unemployment	6,9%	5,7%

Trade with Germany

	2001	Percentage of the total
Exports to DE	2 711 mil. EUR	26,2%
Imports from DE	2 178 mil. EUR	19,2%

Trade with Italy

	2001	Percentage of the total
Exports to IT	1 293 mil. EUR	12,5%
Imports from IT	1 997 mil. EUR	17,6%

Trade with UK

	2001	Percentage of the total
Export to UK	290 mil. EUR	2,8%
Imports from UK	284 mil. EUR	2,5%

Trade with the Netherlands

	2001	Percentage of the total
Exports to NL	176 mil. EUR	1,7%
Imports from NL	215,5 mil. EUR	1,9%

Trade with EU

	2001	Percentage of the total
Export to EU	6 436 mil. EUR	62,2%
Imports from EU	7 680 mil. EUR	67,7%

Legal framework for doing business in Slovenia - types of companies

Join stock company - “Delniška družba (d.d.)”
Limited liability company -”Družba z omejeno odgovornostjo” (d.o.o.)
Unlimited liability company - “Družba z neomejeno odgovornostjo” (d.n.o)
Limited partnership by shares - “Komanditna delniška družba” (k.d.d.)
Limited partnership - “Komanditna družba” (k.d.)
Silent partnership - “Tiha družba” (t.d.)

For further information on establishing a company in Slovenia, please contact us.

Official documents

International passport needed for entering the country, you will be controlled at the border. EU nationals do not need a visa for entering the country.

Cultural heritage

Slovenia is the westernmost Slavic country, which was for centuries part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. There are profound Italian influences as well. It is a land of great geographic diversity, encompassing mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, green hills and vineyards. It is an extremely pleasant country to visit, a nature lover’s paradise. Nevertheless Slovenia has a rich cultural heritage as well. Ljubljana, only two hours drive of all state borders, has a charming old town. Close to the Austrian border, the second largest city, Maribor is important tourist destination due to its magnificent medieval landmarks. Skiing in the fashionable Bled resort set on the pleasant Bled lake.

Historic cities: Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje
Castles: Bled, Maribor
Small historic places: Bled, Ptujska Gora, Koper, Celje, Piran
Nature: Dinaric Alps, caves in the Kras region, Triglavski Narodni Park, Adriatic Coast

Gastronomy

Slovenian cuisine has Austrian, German and Italian influences. A few traditional dishes include: klobasa (sausage), zavitek (strudel) and Dunajski zrezek (Wiener schnitzel),njoki (potato dumplings), rizota (risotto) and the ravioli-like zlikrofi. The Balkan influence can be noted in the cuisine as well, a breakfast usual being burek, a greasy layered cheese pie. Slovenia is particulary famous for its vineyards lying in the northeast part of Slovenia, near Celje. Union and Zlatorog beers are particularly popular. A local brandy is called zganje.

Prices

	SIT	EUR
bread	178	0,75
0,5 l of beer	375	1,6
1 cup of coffee	250	1,06
1 bottle of wine	399	1,7
1 liter of milk	142	0,6
1 kg of chicken meat	1 000	4,25
1 liter of petrol	194	0,82
1 liter of diesel oil	168	0,51
Taxi services	175/km	0,75/km
Average cost of meal		10-15
Real estate/m2		500-1 250
1 movie ticket	1 000	4,25
Average cost of lodging		70

Safety

Slovenia is an extremely safe country. Beware of pick pocketers in crowded places, railway station and airports.

Working hours

Public institutions	08.00 - 16.00
Business offices	08.00 - 16.00
Banks	08.00 - 18.00 (weekdays) 08.00 -12.00 (Saturdays)
Department stores	08.00 - 19.00 (weekdays) 07.30 - 14.00 (Saturdays)
Shops (grocery stores)	08.00 - 19.00 (weekdays) 07.30 - 15.00 (Saturdays)

Public holidays

	2004
New Year’s Holidays	January, 1st- 2nd
Prešren Day, Slovenian Cultural Holdiday	February, 8th
Easter Monday	April, 12th
Resistance Day	April, 27th
Labour Day	May, 1st-2nd
Day of Slovenian Sovereignty	June, 25th
Assumption	August, 15th
Reformation Day	October, 31st
All Saints Day	November, 1st
Christmas Holidays	December, 25th- 26th