Dear members,
I spent the last week of October in Washington DC, attending the ECACC Transatlantic Conference. Despite its main theme referred predominantly to commercial relationship between Europe and USA, as by far the most important commercial partners, the informal conversations turned to another topic – the American mid-term elections, which took place on 2nd November. They definitely altered the relations within the Congress. There are numerous analysts´ opinions available, denoting how the changes will affect the circumstances within American economy and for its interdependence consequently also in the world. For me personally two facts referring to the election communication came as a great surprise…
namely, despite the pugnacity among individual opponents – who frankly stated themselves as either Democrats or Republicans within conversations related to politics, they communicated about all other topics completely in a relaxed manner and did not enter into a level of personal discreditations. Unfortunately, the image and relations were presented differently in the media. Irrespective of their political affiliation, they both support NEI (National Export Inciative). Surprisingly, merely 1% of American companies exports, and therefore they see in it their greatest opportunity for development and creation of new working positions. They agreed upon supporting the Invest in America programme, as well. Hence there was no opposition just for a fact that someone else is the profounder. I sincerely wish that there would be similar sustenance towards positive suggestions also in Slovenia.
Therefore I am especially glad to learn that Mr. Borut Pahor, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia expressed willingness to listen to the constructive suggestions regarding the necessary changes – if we wish to attract more FDI to Slovenia and become a better business and investment environment – which were on behalf of AmCham Slovenia and U.S. Embassy on Friday, 5 November 2010 to the Prime Minister expressed by Mr. Tomaž Lovše, the President of AmCham Slovenia and Mr. Bradly Freden, Charge d Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy.
I wish you great November and I hope you will take some time out of your busy schedule to attend our events, since we will have great guests.
Tomaž Lovše and Bradley Freden visiting Prime minister Borut Pahor
On Friday, 5 November 2010, Mr. Tomaž Lovše, President of AmCham Slovenia and Mr. Bradly Freden, Charge d´Affairs a.i. at the US Embassy in Slovenia, presented a letter to Mr. Borut Pahor, the Prime Minister of The Republic of Slovenia, in which they introduced a few suggestions for the improvement within Slovene business and investment environment.
Namely, the Embassy of the USA, as the American Chamber of Commerce, welcome Prime Minister leadership and public statements – for example, at the “Investing in Green” forum in New York in September – on the importance of increasing opportunity for foreign investment in Slovenia.
However, they expressed a remark the foreign investor looking at Slovenia today – whether from the U.S. or elsewhere – faces serious obstacles, including a lack of transparency; unnecessarily complex and time-consuming bureaucracy; and confusion over lead responsibility or jurisdiction among Slovenian Government agencies. The three most critical areas that need to be addressed are taxation, the labor market, and public procurement. When taken together, these barriers often give the impression that Slovenia remains largely closed to FDI.
There were also concrete suggestions allegated in the letter and enclosures, formed by the experts from three pWorking Committees of AmCham Slovenia - Tax Committee led by Barbare Guzina, Public Procurement Committee, led by Andrej Drapal and Labour Committee, led by Miro Smrekar. The Prime Minister stimulated further dialogue in order to embody the proposed changes in a concrete form. We will inform you about all further steps regularly.
We are delighted that the prime Minister expressed interest in the reccomendations and suggestions given by AmCham and US Embassy as we highly believe into exceptional potential of Slovenia for its natural and social resources, its geostrategical position and with the implenentation of the changes proposed for a bigger bilateral economic cooperation between and USA.
Business Breakfast with Darja Radić, M.Sc, Minister of Economy
How will the government enhance economical competitiveness of Slovenia?
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Business Lunch Among the Clouds
The »Cloud« represents a business and technological trend, bringing changes in to business and in to everyday life as well.
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Professional Update: European Tax Law – What does it mean for me?
with European Tax Law Expert Mr. Sjoerd Douma.
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Contemporary Art Club Exhibition
You are kindly invited to the preview of the exhibition of a famous american contemporary artists Jasper Johns, who has for his artistic creation of more than fifty years and for an exceptional opus enrolled among the world's most influential artists of our time. November 15th at 7 p.m., Visconti fine art gallery, Mestni trg 18, Ljubljana.
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Business Luncheon with prof. dr. Bojan Pretnar
The topic was Hot Topics in Intellectual Property. Prof. dr. Pretnar spoke about three hot topics: plain packaging, patentability of software, and pharmaceutical patents.
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Business Breakfast with Mr. Dorijan Marušič, Minister of Health
The topic of the breakfast was Challenges of Health Care System in Slovenia. Mr. Marušič spoke about the values of Slovenian health care system, advantages and disadvantages of the Slovenian healthcare system, and EU Cross Border Health Care Directive.
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New member in October
We are welcoming new member in October
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Ethics in advertising with Mr. Marko Majer
»The essence of the good advertising is ''truth well told''. Which means do not mislead, tell the truth, but in a way that will bring you desired results.«
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Patrons & Partners of AmCham Young Professionals
